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| Feb 02, 2009 3:36 am |
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re: re: re: re: Commonsense Approach To The Economy |
Kurt Schweitzer
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If I were the Congressman, these are the criteria I'd use to evaluate the stimulus package:
1) Does this bill create any jobs?
2) Does this bill put more confidence into the credit markets?
3) Does this bill solidify the housing market?
4) Assuming the economy recovers, will be be able to restore the budget in less than 20 years?
First we need to focus on jobs. Putting people to work, and keeping them earning money, is the key to any healthy economy. Many people complain that the stimulus efforts so far have spent lots of money but haven't done anything to reduce our unemployment (which, by the way, is only around 6%).
While jobs are the most important aspect, having credit available is also important, especially for businesses. (This is something I've been learning since starting my scooter shop. Prior to that I was a cash-only person.) I don't know what will restore confidence in the credit markets, but without it people who have lots of money will choose to stick it in a vault somewhere instead of lending it to those of us who need it.
Lest we forget, this whole economic crisis started when housing prices started to fall. There are now lots of foreclosed properties on the market, and lots of people debating whether they'd be better off walking away from their houses, or trying to make the mortgage payments. Some portion of the legislation needs to address this, too.
Finally we need to consider the burdens we are placing on our children and later generations. History shows many civilizations that flourished until they consumed all their resources. Later generations were left in poverty, and those civilizations never recovered. We don't want this to happen to us.
So, while I'd love to see a stimulus check in my pocket, I'd much rather see a healthy economy around me. Should we also be trying to fight global warning, or pulling out of Iraq? Yes, but a collapsed economy trumps those issues.
(By the way, the simplest way to fight global warming is to let the global economy collapse! It lowers gasoline prices, too!)
Kurt Schweitzer
Urban Village ScootersPrivate Reply to Kurt Schweitzer (new win) |
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