Stimulus jobs: Is the recovery act working?

[jcioccke]

I never discuss economics with anyone who doesn't have at least a Bachelors degree in the field.

Nice of you to dummy down to a Bachelors Degree. I would assume you would only speak to individuals with a Masters Degree or PHD.

[Driven]

I never discuss economics with anyone who doesn't have at least a Bachelors degree in the field.

Thank you for informing us mindless idiots of your superior intelligence. We are humble to have someone of such superior intellect in our midst.

[BigPat]

It looks like Social Security has slowed to a drip.

Social Security makes it official: No COLA in 2010

WASHINGTON – There will be no cost-of-living increase for more than 50 million Social Security recipients next year, the first year without a raise since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975.

Blame falling consumer prices. By law, cost-of-living adjustments are pegged to inflation, which is negative this year because of lower energy costs. Social Security payments, however, do not go down even when prices drop.

The Obama administration, meanwhile, is pursuing a different way to boost recipients' income. On Wednesday, President Barack Obama called for a second round of $250 stimulus payments for seniors, veterans, retired railroad workers and people with disabilities.

The payments would match the ones issued to seniors earlier this year as part of the government's economic recovery package. The payments would be equal to about a 2 percent increase for the average Social Security recipient.

The White House put the cost of the payments at $13 billion. Obama didn't say how the payments should be financed, leaving that up to Congress. The president is open to borrowing the money, which would increase the federal budget deficit, just like Congress did with the first round of stimulus payments.

Social Security payments increased by 5.8 percent in January, the largest bump up since 1982. The big increase was largely because of a spike in energy costs in 2008.

The lack of a COLA has absolutely nothing to do with SOcial Security or the Government being out of money. The reason is pretty clearly spelled out in teh article that you cited.

[DAL]

It seems to me that the Stimulus package is working very well -- for the Republican Party.

[nuthead]

It seems to me that the Stimulus package is working very well -- for the Republican Party.

That's funny right there, I don't care who you are!

[jcioccke]

Dal that is Too Funny, and True.

I was watching CNBC this am, and they are estimating the numbers for unemployment will be up to 10%.

Again this does not include the individuals who are no longer eligible for benefits.

[Southflaguy]

But the Obama administration said it won't go avobe 8%, where did his economic team go wrong figuring out the numbers, serious question?...

They're in such a rush to pass things they don't think it through, thus they fall on their face and look silly...

[DAL]

I think that the rush to pass the bill stemmed from the fact that Wall Street feared another Great Depression, and that can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. When the bill failed the first time, there was a huge dip in the markets. So the bill was important for psychological purposes. It is also helping preserve a lot of state public-sector jobs, primarily teachers and law-enforcement officers. Those grants were announced fairly recently, and I do not know how much of the money has been disbursed.

[Southflaguy]

I think that the rush to pass the bill stemmed from the fact that Wall Street feared another Great Depression, and that can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. When the bill failed the first time, there was a huge dip in the markets. So the bill was important for psychological purposes. It is also helping preserve a lot of state public-sector jobs, primarily teachers and law-enforcement officers. Those grants were announced fairly recently, and I do not know how much of the money has been disbursed.

According to This Site $2,172,000,000...

[DAL]

According to This Site $2,172,000,000...

There is a big difference between contracts awarded and funds disbursed. All in all, $2 billion is not much. Cash-for-clunkers was 3.

[Southflaguy]

I see...Well at least cash for clunkers gave the economy a jolt or two....Japan's economy...I heard that there is going to be another cash for clunkers, but instead of cars it's going to be for appliances...

[benron]

I see...Well at least cash for clunkers gave the economy a jolt or two....Japan's economy...I heard that there is going to be another cash for clunkers, but instead of cars it's going to be for appliances...

so,how much is this going to cost the tax payers? Washington needs to quit pretending like it's their money they are spending.

[Southflaguy]

so,how much is this going to cost the tax payers? Washington needs to quit pretending like it's their money they are spending.

Not sure, but I head it's going to happen next year, I think around April...

[LA DEP]

I never discuss economics with anyone who doesn't have at least a Bachelors degree in the field.

Is that in between the time you spend as a DA and a judge?

[dadyswat]

Not working. Not even close. But since there is no way to officially track the "would have been" numbers, Obama can make it sound like it saved all sorts of things. Smoke and mirrors. At least he has a promising job after the presidency.... that is if he doesn't become our perpetual president.


Jasper you are correct. Dems don't know how to make jobs, they never have. But they do know how to spend our money like there's no tomorrow. They sure know how to raise our taxes and it appears they are all on board and ready to take control of and ruin our health care system.

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