30,383: First Tally On Stimulus Jobs

1. The White House yesterday released its initial tally on the rubber-hits-the-road results of its intensely trumpeted "Stimulus."

2. In six months of spending, a scant sum of 30,000 jobs have been "created or saved."

3. At a cost of $16 billion allocated and $2.2 actually allotted.

4. Where's the catalysis?

5. We were told the whole point of the Recovery Act was all about NOW.

6. It appears, instead, Plan Pelosi really was the most egregious example of insiders earmark, traditional pork barrel budgeting, business as usual.

7. Michigan, for one measure, our most miserable milieu, moaning with more than 15% unemployed, "saved" a mere 400 commissions at a bottom line of $1.5 mil.

8. Or, $400,000 per.

9. A grafitti removal project in the Los Angeles Aqueduct, granted some $800,000, hired just one new wall scrubber.

10. New York, another nervous neighbor, has engaged 655 new workers at a cost of $60 mil, almost 7 figures per.

11. Rhode Island has added an aggregate 6 artisans.

Recipient-Reported State and Agency Data

12. All this melancholy accounting is one thing, the manifest absence of stimulation is more.

13. This chief exec and his congress have no clue what they're accomplishing.

14. Leviathan health care dies a thousand cuts, some small, many large.

15. 30,000 jobs "created or saved" by Thanksgiving EXCEEDS the White House's expectations of its own "Stimulus."

16. LOL!

The White House on Thursday unveiled the first hard data on how many jobs the $787 billion recovery act has created.

So far, companies that have received stimulus contracts directly from the federal government have created 30,383 jobs. These firms have been awarded $16 billion in contracts, and have actually been paid $2.2 billion.

Stimulus-fueled job creation has become a very controversial issue. The White House has faced blistering attacks by Republicans, who contend that the recovery act has failed to live up to its promise to put Americans back to work.

So far, the federal government has made available a total of $256.3 billion in contracts, grants and loans and has paid out $110.7 billion to state and local governments, non-profit agencies and companies. The reports released Thursday were the first in a series that provides a tally of the actual number of jobs created by the Recovery Act.

Small Slice of Stimulus

The Obama administration downplayed the data released Thursday, saying it represents just a small sliver of the stimulus that's been spent since the massive recovery act was enacted in February.

"It is too soon to draw any global conclusions from this partial and preliminary data...but the early indications are quite positive," said Jared Bernstein, chief economist for Vice President Joe Biden. "The direct count by Recovery Act recipients of jobs created or saved from this small percentage of the Recovery Act exceeds our projections."

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30,383: First stimulus jobs numbers unveiled - Oct. 15, 2009


The Prof

Most of the money won't be spent until 2010 when we'll probably be out of recession, but I thought that Congress had to pass the bill now before anyone read it

"The stimulus hasn't failed because it hasn't even started yet," defenders assert. Though, just because you've never jumped off the top of a cliff doesn't enable you to fly. Not happening, is the definition of failure.

This bill couldn't even get off the ground it was so loaded down by failure. Now, it's first offerings, show just how inconsequential this all was. Though, of course, you won't hear it talked about at Salon, Huffington Post or the All Barack Channel.

What part of "It is too soon to draw any global conclusions from this partial and preliminary data" did the Prof not understand?

The entire "stimulus" was nothing more than psychological. Essentially, a dick measuring stick that allows us to believe we were still superior to China.

Joe1991 said:

What part of "It is too soon to draw any global conclusions from this partial and preliminary data" did the Prof not understand?

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too soon

stimulus

6 months

30G "exceeds" admin expectations

LOL!

What incredible drivel from this administration.

They better keep up the propaganda because if they pass the bills they want it will throw us into a depression with higher energy costs, higher health care costs and higher taxes. What is Obama calling that, the DEPRESSION PLAN?

obamacare encumbers cruel tax increases upon the lower and middle classes

it's how the 829B baucus bill, for example, is paid for

betrayal of obama's most basic bond

now, word is out that reform intends to surcharge the chubby

Overweight? Smoker? Health bills hit hard - Washington Post- msnbc.com

diabetics will be double billed

how's them politics gonna play?

but, hey, they gotta get that 800B somewhere

actually reid, from behind that locked office door, says the real price is 2T

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/vi..._suggests_health_care_to_cost_2_trillion.html

The Prof said:

7. Michigan, for one measure, our most miserable milieu, moaning with more than 15% unemployed, "saved" a mere 400 commissions at a bottom line of $1.5 mil.

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Looks like someone took their alliteration pill this morning.

Joe1991 said:

What part of "It is too soon to draw any global conclusions from this partial and preliminary data" did the Prof not understand?

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What part of "The stimulus saving or creating 4 million jobs is BS" is alluding you?. Preliminary - meaning --- before the government can apply their famous fuzzy math? Gimme a break.

How does something fail before it's finished? Can I sue a contractor because my building isn't fully operational even though the foundation isn't up yet? Should I sue an anti-virus company because my computer isn't protected from viruses even though the installation is only at 50%?

You people who spin things because you're blinded by hatred and bias are amusing at best. I don't understand why people take you seriously. "Even though the stimulus plan isn't finished, I'm going to shout to the world that it is full of failure!"

Tell you what. When the stimulus is done and an adequate amount of time has been taken for the full effects of it to be felt, then you can proclaim its failure. Until then, you're just talking out your butt.

spin---LOL!

baucus, pelosi, obama

UPDATE 3-Pelosi warns US stimulus must pass by mid-February | Markets | Markets News | Reuters

hatred and bias---LOL!

geithner, boxer, reich

Timothy Geithner's Opening Statement - Politics and Government * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

The Latest on the Stimulus - Swampland - TIME.com

adequate amount of time---senators reed and whitehouse of rhode island, SIX jobs created, one of the highest unemployment states in the nation:

Woonsocket Call - Senators: Stimulus must pass quickly

The Stimulus IF you still call it that, is timed specifically to provide whatever boost to the economy (temporary, econonic shell-game that it will be) at a time that will benefit the Dems on the economic front just before next year's elections...

It was not designed to help the economy at all! It was written by the Apollo Alliance to fund social-justice (SOCIALIST) projects and provide some minimal political cover to Representatives come 2010 with those elusive shovel-ready projects...

Oh yeah I forgot,, AND to provide a "Civilian Security Force" , "just as strong and just as well funded as the military"... STILL trying to figure out why Obama needs that.. OK I do know- but that's just crazy talk right?

Believe ANYTHING else (IE: stay in the dollar) and you will be unpleasantly surprised.

I think the unemployment help has not been impressive. We're still losing jobs. The rate at which jobs are being lost has slowed. So the stimulus package could have been involved in that, reducing the rate at which we lose jobs. I think the Republicans would have done just as well in that area in the short-term. That is to say, I think regardless of who won we'd be about where we are with jobs. Looking forward long term, the best thing that can be done for jobs is implementing economic policy that will stabilize the economy. It's the swings where people lose jobs and the jobs have to be recovered. If you could make it perfectly level you wouldn't have job losses. That's unrealistic, but we can get closer.

So when I look at the stimulus funds, I try to look at what they're being used for. If it's a 1-time job that lasts 3 months that's a tragedy. If it creates new permanent positions perhaps opening up areas to industry it could be long term. The more of it that goes to long-term projects the more stabile the economy would be into the future. Of the ones I have seen brought up I find them to almost all be temporary "look good" projects that maybe will get some local politician reelected. So I'm not thrilled with where it's going, but hopefully there are other projects that I just haven't seen that will make it worthwhile.

As far as the people still out of work, I suppose the extensions and stuff they do is enough. Unemployment is a lot less than people made doing real jobs but it's enough to make their mortgage and keep them from going bankrupt. So until the jobs start really ramping up the unemployment should work. Having a nationalized health plan that would make insurance affordable for the unemployeed would help too since that's generally tied to employment. But by the time anything passes, I imagine we'll be out of this temporary recession and not need it as much. But it will be good for the next time. Same thing with more government money to students persuing higher degrees. This wouldn't be a bad economy to encourage some to go back to school. No, our problem isn't really a lack of qualified employees, but this gives people something to do other than apply for 3 jobs a week and cash a check. And given the choice to go to school and get paid for it, it would allow individuals who never had the means to do it to go into areas they really wanted to. Perhaps we could encourage the medical profession to get enough doctors to cover everyone under a fully insured society. But anything would do - make people feel like they have a purpose. I really don't think those on unemployment enjoy being on unemployment. At least not most.

vvx said:

If it's a 1-time job that lasts 3 months that's a tragedy. If it creates new permanent positions perhaps opening up areas to industry it could be long term.

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LMAO!

NONE of these shovel-ready projects are long term except for the government jobs which are specifically designed to increase dependence on government and directly assault the constitution.. oh yeah and create that National Security Force BO's going to need to "put down".. oh... what...about 20% of the population?

Brilliant voting there moderates! I hope y'all get a nice cot in the front row of tents!

during the summer, a rash of stories broke nationwide reporting that many of the jobs "created or saved" by the stimulus were temporary and/or part time

Stimulus So Far: $416 million; 34 Full Time Jobs : Now! Hampshire

Granholm Stimulus Jobs Inflated [Mackinac Center]

At last, a stimulus cash sighting in Elkhart! - The Elkhart Project- msnbc.com

Stimulus creates 12,000 teen jobs | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

as for higher education:

$2.3 million in federal stimulus money is going to pay for Tampa Bay area beauty school tuition - St. Petersburg Times

note the already glut on the market of unemployed hairdressers and masseuses

note as well the extremely short term nature of careers in the field

when it comes to health care and its hoped for boons to our economy, never forget that baucus' 829B dollar price tag and supposed 81B net savings is PAID FOR by a half trillion dollars of TAX INCREASES, fines and mandates on mostly the middle and lower classes

it also comes in at those relatively amiable measures by accounting 10 years of revenues and only 5 to 7 years of benefits

it is what it is

the economy comes first, last and in the middle

it sucks even all the helium out of the looney balloon boy story

and unfortunately the simulus and health care reforms aren't helping

The Prof said:

obamacare encumbers cruel tax increases upon the lower and middle classes

it's how the 829B baucus bill, for example, is paid for

betrayal of obama's most basic bond

now, word is out that reform intends to surcharge the chubby

Overweight? Smoker? Health bills hit hard - Washington Post- msnbc.com

diabetics will be double billed

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****, this is bad news for me. I'm employed, a smoker, overweight and a diabetic. I'm going to pay the new tax, and the surcharge. I'm still in favor of a healthcare bill, but I don't like how I'm going to have to pay for it.

With us losing 500,000 jobs a month, these replacement jobs from the Stimulus Bill is a drop in the bucket. The Stimulus Bill is a drop in the bucket. The economy will recover on its own without the Stimulus Bill. Jobs are going to start recovering, now that the underlying indicators are starting to turn the corner. It is timed very nicely, so that people can claim that the Stimulus Bill helped turn the tide. It did not have anything to do with the recovery.

Joe1991 said:

What part of "It is too soon to draw any global conclusions from this partial and preliminary data" did the Prof not understand?

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Stimulus like this is for immediate response, not ****ing next year!!!! Geez, man what the hell do you think is suppose to happen in 9 months......30,000 jobs. :roll:

American said:

Stimulus like this is for immediate response, not ****ing next year!!!! Geez, man what the hell do you think is suppose to happen in 9 months......30,000 jobs. :roll:

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Wrong. Any form of stimulus takes time to get going. 6 months to a year easy before any results at all are seen, usually longer. There is no "immediate response" stimulus out there, not even tax cuts.

reefedjib said:

****, this is bad news for me. I'm employed, a smoker, overweight and a diabetic. I'm going to pay the new tax, and the surcharge. I'm still in favor of a healthcare bill, but I don't like how I'm going to have to pay for it.

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i sympathize, sincerely

just imagine how this reality is gonna play across the landscape entire, not just how it impacts any one of us

single mothers forced to pony up, all across the nation

youth criminalized for not carrying coverage and hit with fines

massive tax increases on the lower and middle class

seniors crucified

not smart politics, the point

take care of yourself, and be happy, friend

have a wonderful sunday, cliff

PeteEU said:

Wrong. Any form of stimulus takes time to get going. 6 months to a year easy before any results at all are seen, usually longer. There is no "immediate response" stimulus out there, not even tax cuts.

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sure, that's what the president meant when he said, "shovel ready"

Smoke[MaxX] said:

How does something fail before it's finished? Can I sue a contractor because my building isn't fully operational even though the foundation isn't up yet? Should I sue an anti-virus company because my computer isn't protected from viruses even though the installation is only at 50%?

You people who spin things because you're blinded by hatred and bias are amusing at best. I don't understand why people take you seriously. "Even though the stimulus plan isn't finished, I'm going to shout to the world that it is full of failure!"

Tell you what. When the stimulus is done and an adequate amount of time has been taken for the full effects of it to be felt, then you can proclaim its failure. Until then, you're just talking out your butt.

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Can I fly if I never try?

One of the definitions of failure, is not being able to start. If we are in a race, and I never leave the starting line, how can you say I won?

You can sue a contractor if the foundations are not up, if they will never be up and the time for them to be up has long past.

The Prof said:

i sympathize, sincerely

just imagine how this reality is gonna play across the landscape entire, not just how it impacts any one of us

single mothers forced to pony up, all across the nation

youth criminalized for not carrying coverage and hit with fines

massive tax increases on the lower and middle class

seniors crucified

not smart politics, the point

take care of yourself, and be happy, friend

have a wonderful sunday, cliff

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Thanks, mate. I'm doing well. 10,000 steps a day for exercise.

I just find it hard to swallow 1000 pages of healthcare bill. Surely they can follow the KISS principle. I don't mean to hijack a stimulus bill thread with healthcare.

The Prof said:

sure, that's what the president meant when he said, "shovel ready"

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Compared to the normal way, it is "shovel ready" but that does not mean that getting the funding will happen overnight nor that the projects will start the next day.

There are so many delays due to the normal run of business and that is on top of the bureaucracy put in place to avoid as much fraud as possible. It is not Iraq 2003.

First off it requires the locals to have a plan ready.. some have some do not. When they have a plan then they have to apply for the money and that takes time too. The Feds have to approve the plan and then the money is released some what I bet and that is if the stimulus is not blocked by partisan politics in the area. We have seen certain republican's refuse stimulus money but get overturned by their local congress for example.. all takes time. Then the locals have to find the contractors, make a bidding round, sign contracts and then only then can you get near the perceived "shovel ready" stage. All this takes months. Alone the bidding round takes weeks if not months since the contractors have to be given time to put a bid in place.

Like it or not, no "stimulus", Republican or Democratic is ever "shovel ready" in the way it works from the day after it is put in place.. massive building or tax cuts do not work that way.