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Coke Snorting Monkeys–Another Project of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Leave it to the Federal government when it comes to spending the taxpayers’ dollars. They spend wastefully and yet wonder why taxpayers are so heated when they find out how their money is being used. Thanks to Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), we now know some of the projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
For example, did you know that the ARRA provided $144,541 to study coke snorting monkeys? Ironic, don’t you think? The government would rather know how monkeys react to cocaine (which seems odd considering that it is illegal to possess/use cocaine legally in the United States), instead of addressing the $14 trillion plus deficit.
Test Monkey: Hmmm…I wonder how coke will affect my acrobatic talents
This act also gave money to some other wasteful projects:
- Restoring one of the nation’s least visited parks, located on a remote island…total $13.3 million
- Upgraded office space and indoor parking for Kansas politicians…total $39.7 million plus
- Constructing a power plant that will not open for two years…total $308 million
- Capturing ants (yup, only in San Francisco…must be all the flowers in the bureaucrat’s hair)…total $1.9 million
- Do you like to dance or get your groove on? ARRA funds interactive dance software development at a cost of $762,372
So far, with Democrats in control of Congress and President Obama, spending money on wasteful programs seems to be the solution to our economic woes. However, it is leading us into an even greater depression.
How does Fairfax County Plan to Spend Stimulus $$?
Brian over at Snapped Shot reports that Fairfax County is spending its stimulus money on yet another wasteful project, which is not bad considering that the county has a hugebudget deficit.
So, what is Fairfax County spending their money on this time? How about purchasing a vacant commercial retail space and planning on burning it down to create *tada* a commuter parking lot? That’s right, they plan to use the old Circuit City building, only to burn it down, and create yet another parking lot. This is considered wasteful in one particular way, as the Franconia/Springfield Metro Parking Lot is less than a mile away and the Old Keene Mill Road lot, which is up the street and is never filled to capacity.
One would think Fairfax County would spend their stimulus dollars on something useful, like possibly eliminating the $33 vehicle decal fee, which is proposed to be brought back to help address the deficits. This is just another example of your county government at work.
Stimulus: One Year Later
One year later, people are still asking about what happened to the promises of new jobs. Unemployment levels are still at an all-time high, meanwhile President Barack Obama has claimed that the Stimulus has been successful. Wow…wasteful government spending has a degree of success…go figure. Considering that Obama has a penchant for the “I’s”, perhaps, we should look at how the stimulus has done, then make the assessment if it is working.
First, let’s take a look at the stimulus timeline. Other than the creation of fake Congressional districts, it is only costing the taxpayers for the long haul. Then, USA Today came out with an article saying that the funds are going to programs that have been eliminated.
With all of this occurring, you may be asking yourselves if you are benefitting from the stimulus funds. Don’t worry, you are paying for something that you will never see.
Aside from Obama and the Democrats in Congress claiming this as a “disaster averted” moment, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Republican challengers to troubled incumbents are using this to their advantage. Keith Fimian, who is challenging freshman Rep. Gerry Connolly, said in a statement that the only thing benefitting from the stimulus is the budget deficits, debt, and the increased likelihood of tax increases.
“Gerry Connolly eagerly advocated this reckless spending binge last year because he is a career politician who doesn’t know how jobs are created or how economies grow. All Gerry Connolly knows how to do is grow government, tax and spend away our hard earned money, and run for re-election. His economic policies have failed.”
I couldn’t have said it any better myself. In fact, we are in trouble if we continue to rely on using stimulus packages as a way for economic recovery.
Phantom Zip Codes: Just Another Stimulus Flaw
Recovery.gov provided lots of entertainment in the beginning with its phantom Congressional Districts. After all, Virginia had more districts and I was even running for the 51st Congressional District seat.
Thanks to a report from Jim Scarantino of the New Mexico Watchdog, there appears to be more errors in the same report…this time with non-existent zip codes.
More errors in the same report. I am really beginning to question if accuracy will ever be conveyed through these reports.
Stimulus Outrage: What will the Government waste our money on next?
What will the Federal Government waste the taxpayers’ money on next? It goes without saying that the government bureaucrats in Washington will find creative ways to utilize the money coming from the Stimulus. After all, the American people thought that the funds would create more jobs and help boost our economy, but unemployment numbers continue to rise (and will continue to rise, especially if the “finalized” health care reform bill is passed). However, the American taxpayer would be livid to know what exactly the stimulus will be boosting…pet projects. Let’s just take a look at the pet projects that will be created under the stimulus. Thanks to Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) for uncovering these projects.
- How does an “Almost Empty” Mall being awarded an energy grant sound? Price tag: $5 Million
- If you’re interested, Digital Television Advertising Agency will create three jobs…but you better apply fast, as they will be gone in a flash. Price tag: $5.9 Million
- If working for a Digital Television Advertising Agency does not float your boat, then how does researching in the development of supersonic corporate jets sound or studying the learning patterns of honeybees sound? Price tag: $4.7 Million for the corporate jets study and $210,000 for studying honeybees
- It looks like the Stimulus will also create a program to control household appliances from a remote location. Awesome, huh? Price tag: $787,250
- How would you like to climb aboard the wine train and get your groove on? Price tag: $54 Million
- Perhaps, while you are on the wine train, your children can watch anti-capitalist, socially-conscious puppet shows. Entertainment with a cause…yeah right Price tag: $100,000
- Do you live in Buffalo? If so, the Stimulus will create a job in your city that involves journaling your malt liquor and marijuana usage. I guess this will help soothe you after the horrible 6-14 record of the Buffalo Bills. Price tag: $389,357
- Lastly, how does a visit from Bobber the Water Safety Dog sound? I hear he is quite the hit at birthday parties. Price tag: $21,116
What other wasteful programs will the government spend the taxpayers’ money on next? I guess we will have to wait to find out.
So…How's the Stimulus Working for America?
Lately, with unemployment numbers soaring and many Americans are now losing jobs due to a weakened economy that continues to worsen by the minute, one has to ask how President Obama’s stimulus plan is impacting Americans.
A recent Reuters article indicates that unemployment will be rising to 12-13 percent. What impact will this have on the mid-term elections in 2010? I think it is going to provide a tidal wave against the Democrats in Congress and provide serious disappointment for President Obama. Right now, Americans are sick and tired of the (pardon the language) bull crap excuses that Congress and Obama have been giving for the unemployment and economic downfalls. Obama says the stimulus is working one minute, then says it is not working as planned.
There is no reason that we should be facing 12-13 percent unemployment, especially if we follow free market principles. Perhaps, Congress needs to take leadership and go back to the drawing board by working to balance the budget and pay our deficit off. Another idea would be to lower the corporate tax rates for businesses. Another thing Congress definitely needs to take a glimpse at is cutting unnecessary spending on future stimulus and other government expansion programs.
Right now, the Stimulus is not working as planned, and we will be paying for it in the long run through rising unemployment numbers and an economic downturn.
Virginia Ranks Last on Spending Transportation Stimulus Funds
Yesterday, U.S. House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Governor Tim Kaine that Virginia ranks DEAD LAST in spending the transportation stimulus funds (and Virginia was also the last to request them).
According to the letter, Virginia has only spent 17% of the funds available on projects that are currently underway. This is pretty devastating for our Governor, especially considering that he has spent more time away from the Commonwealth dealing with DNC business.
Since Tim Kaine has been Governor, we have not seen any initiative from him on job creation or addressing budget issues in a serious manner. To say that he has been the worst Governor in Virginia’s history might be an understatement.
Biden Admits that We 'Misread the Economy'
All I have to say is no duh! We are in the worst economic recession, and yet, the Obama Administration pushed through the Stimulus and Omnibus Bills, and bailing out GM, Chrysler, and Wall Street. Geez, Mr. Vice President, who often has foot in mouth disease…you couldn’t have told us something that we didn’t already know.
Watch Biden’s interview with George Stephanopolous
Biden even goes as far to admit the possibility of a second Stimulus. I guess this is so much for freedom and prosperity.
Biden didn’t rule out a second government stimulus package, but downplayed calls from Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman this week that a second stimulus will be needed.
I pressed the vice president, who is also leading the administration’s middle-class task force, on whether he’d rule out a second stimulus package.
“So, no second stimulus?” I asked.
“No, I didn’t say that,” Biden said, “I think it’s premature to make that judgment. This was set up to spend out over 18 months. There are going to be major programs that are going to take effect in September, $7.5 billion for broadband, new money for high-speed rail, the implementation of the grid — the new electric grid. And so this is just starting, the pace of the ball is now going to increase.”
All I have to say is that America’s prosperity is now toast.
Talk about a Travesty at Work
CNN reports that the South Carolina Supreme Court has ordered Governor Mark Sanford to accept $700 million of stimulus funds, after he originally refused to accept the funds. Folks, this is a perfect example of judicial activism at work trying to interfere with the executive decision of the Governor.
Sanford wanted to use the stimulus funds to pay down the state debt, which was a wise decision, but the Obama administration would not allow it. Sanford made this statement yesterday regarding the decision:
“We continue to believe that this issue is fundamentally about the balance of power and separation of powers in our state, and our hope is that however it turns out it will serve as a reason for more people to make their voices heard about the outdated and bizarre government structure in South Carolina,” Gov. Sanford said. “Legislative dominance in our state costs all of us in very real terms for the way it breeds duplication and waste. If we ever want to be competitive as a state in the 21st Century, it starts with having a 21st Century government structure.”
This is a true travesty at work.
