A Challenger Approaches: The Bright Side of the Stimulus Package

The criticism concerning Barack Obama's Stimulus Package is valid to some extent, but perhaps too harsh. Yes it is true that this bill has been loaded with earmarks, a practice which Obama himself stated to be against, but perhaps they were necessary. Earmarks are assurances that the bill won't be accepted unless certain things are done to specific areas in the country and, if they were not included, this plan may still be collecting dust. Action absolutely must be taken right away in order to help boost the economy, and that is what President Obama has begun doing by creating this package. Especially after "The unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent from 7.6 percent in January, the highest reading since December 1983"(1), the worry level of US Citizens is going through the roof. Thankfully, the Stimulus Package is designed to help these every day people by providing them with jobs. For example, the plan gives "$28 billion -- $6.9 billion in discretionary funds and $21 billion in mandatory funds to go for specific programs"(2) to the agricultural industry, which will create jobs for many suffering farmers, "$730 million to make changes [...] to the agency's lending and investment programs"(2) to the Small Businesses Association to assist those with small businesses, and even the Department of Energy is getting aided by funds that will "create or protect nearly 3.5 million jobs over the next two years"(2). These are just a few associations that have been funded by this package in order to create much-needed jobs, and so it would seem that the package is putting the US on the right track. Unfortunately, however optimistic the bill may seem, not everyone is happy. The critics for the high spending that this bill requires are hypocritical Conservatives. These Republicans "draw the line at a stimulus bill that funnels $135 billion directly to the bankrupted state governments to help pay for Medicaid, education and infrastructure"(3) are the same ones who backed "the far larger sums wasted in their support of the terminally corrupt governments of Iraq and Afghanistan."(3) It is as if far-right Conservatives are turning a blind eye to the mess that was created by the Bush Administration, and turn right around to criticize Obama for spending a lesser amount. This is absurd, and the reason these people are even being listened to and supported is beyond comprehension. Though not 100% ideal for all Americans, at least having this plan is better than not having any at all. Obama cannot make all people happy, but he surely is taking a step in the right direction to please the struggling ones. Lighten up, critics.

Sources:

(1) http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/06/obama.stimulus/index.html?iref=newssearch

(2)http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/03/stimulus.money/index.html?iref=newssearch

(3) http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090302/scheer