In February, 851,000 more Americans lost their jobs, swelling the unemployment rate to 8.1 percent (1), its highest level in over 25 years (2). The number of jobless Americans has escalated by approximately 5 million in the past 12 months. Clearly, something needs to be done to reinvigorate the American economy, but the stimulus package that was just passed by president Barack Obama is not it. When Taxpayers for Common Sense reviewed the bill, they found about 8,500 “pet projects” that cost a total of $7.7 billion.The legislation even included “almost $2 million for swine odor and manure management” (3), taking “pork-barrel" spending to a new, even more ridiculous level. The fact that this earmark-filled bill was passed just shows how many of the Congressional representatives have lost touch with the wants and needs of their constituents. Instead, they have fallen into the hands of lobbyists and special-interest groups. America is deep into an economic recession, and all they care about is serving their own selfish agendas. They are kicking American taxpayers while they are down and wasting their hard-earned money.They should be ashamed of themselves for practicing such petty politics when their nation is in crisis.They should remember that what Americans need now is a stable economy, not putrid pork.
No comments:
Post a Comment