Comments | howardtayler: $250,000 per Job? Only a little bit too expensive.

howardtayler

$250,000 per Job? Only a little bit too expensive.

Oct 31, 2009 23:28

If you've been following the news, there are lots of people screaming about how incredibly expensive the stimulus package was, and how it didn't create enough jobs for the money spent ( Read more... )

Comments 39

unspeakablevorn November 1 2009, 05:30:33 UTC

Well, the lumber, nails, concrete, etc, guys had work too.

sonictail November 1 2009, 05:36:44 UTC

We had a personal stimulus package here and it appears to have worked (just run "1 AUD to USD" through google to see) and things are getting better.

It's not surprising that the implementation is off and I agree, it's not a bad idea. You just need to choose the right areas. And who could choose?

It's a sticky wicket to be sure ;)

anshackles November 1 2009, 07:46:22 UTC

When they announced the first such package here in the UK, the sum being mentioned was about GBP1000 per person, roughly speaking. This was to be given to the banks, I think, to stimulate the banker's bonuses economy with, by lending more cash ( ... )

petronivs November 1 2009, 09:19:14 UTC

GW Bush tried that here, with his tax cuts. Unfortunately, it wasn't that well received. Therefore, Obama evidently one-upped him by giving money solely to The People The Government Likes.

johnridley November 1 2009, 12:36:49 UTC

Tax cuts don't directly help the people who really need help the most, because they're not paying taxes in the first place. I have family members who never saw a dime, and years later are still destitute and barely able to feed themselves.

galadrion November 1 2009, 12:48:20 UTC

However, tax cuts are also the only honest way the government has of reducing its burden on the economy - any other form of government "largess" is simply taking money from one citizen-subject in order to give it to another... and incidentally keep a hefty chunk of it for the government's own purposes.

It has been said - and proven - many, many times before: government does not create wealth. It can only redistribute it. And it can't even do that efficiently.

Thread 23

unixronin November 1 2009, 16:07:13 UTC

DO NOT SEND ME TAX DOLLARS IT WILL ONLY END IN TEARS.
...And lots and lots of really shiny BLAM! ;)

betsumei November 5 2009, 23:59:07 UTC

Tears of joy from fans who'd really like to get their hands on those books?

klingonguy November 1 2009, 22:23:10 UTC

DO NOT SEND ME TAX DOLLARS IT WILL ONLY END IN TEARS.

Damn. So much for funding the Amazing Conroy graphic novel...