Reply #8: we should be skeptical [View All]

[alc]

We've heard more details about how "the stimulus worked" than about what the administration learned from it. "Things were worse than we thought" or "there weren't as many shovel-ready jobs as we thought" doesn't show me much learning and doesn't inspire confidence that they know what they are doing now.

What specifically was worse than they thought? (Economy? Banker's greed? red tape? state's cooperation?) What are they doing to improve those areas?

Why do they think they can get infrastructure jobs going quicker now? Are there more shovel-ready projects? Will governors cooperate?

How does this plan differ from the stimulus such that 1/2 the money can do more than something that "wasn't big enough"? What progress are they making on the items they "can do without congress" that we heard about a few weeks ago?

This obviously wasn't a plan to get bipartisan support. I don't see a plan that will actually create jobs even if it passes (which it can't). I can only assume it was a campaign move unless I hear some better answers to the above questions. If the economy happens to improve, they'll take credit (for starting the conversation even though nothing passed the house). If it doesn't improve they'll blame the house. But either way they aren't proposing anything that can actually create jobs. So, yes I'm skeptical.