On Economic Stimulus:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) was supposed to turn the economy around and prevent job loss. As unemployment climbs to nearly 10%, it is evident that the $787 billion plan is not living up to original claims. The administration is now stating that the AARA was only designed to "stabilize" the economy as opposed to stimulating a full on recovery as the name might suggest. I’m not going to go on about this, but would instead like to reflect on the last economic stimulus that was passed.
In May 2008, I received a $600 check from Uncle Sam. This stimulus plan received much ridicule, even from me. After all, what is $600 going to do to stimulate the economy? Despite it’s downfalls, the plan did put money in to people’s pockets. Back to me. I spent my stimulus check entirely on my first professional dSLR camera. A few months later, I helped start a small business that would not have been possible without that purchase, made possible by the stimulus bill. Today, just over a year after I received my check, the business has 8 clients (and counting) and is spending revenue on website hosting, a photo management site, print and book ordering, business cards, membership dues to a local business group, local and federal taxes, et cetera. I have purchased a second camera body, lens, and lighting equipment for the sole purpose of improving the quality of the service that the business offers. Not to mention the fact that we are offering affordable photography services to couples who can spend the money they save on booking us as their wedding photographers elsewhere. I accept that I am a unique and rare example, but how’s that for stimulating the f’ing economy?
EDIT: I just did the math. Obama’s $787 billion plan comes to $5,703 per U.S. taxpayer. I could do a lot of stimulating with $5,703 in my pocket.
$5703 would buy a lot of hos! Also, I saw a sign next to the construction sign on I-95 that said funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. So it is causing delays in my commute, making me irritable and less productive at work, which is surely causing lost revenue, and polluting more while idling.
Comment by Aaron — July 30, 2009 @ 6:30 pm