American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Problems
Posted by Kyle L. Varnell (+3745) 14 years ago
California's stimulus job totals raise concern
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi....DTL&tsp=1

The number of public safety jobs created or saved with federal stimulus dollars has been vastly overstated in California, according to the state auditor.


This seems to be a growing problem across the country. While this might be more of a State issue the fact that the Federal Government is having issues accounting for where the money went and how many jobs were actually created is a little troubling.

UC has spent nearly twice as much in federal recovery dollars but reported one-third as many jobs as CSU.


Hopefully these people will be held accountable for misuse of the stimulus money.

[This message has been edited by Kyle L. Varnell (11/24/2009)]
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Posted by Bob L. (+5094) 14 years ago
Yes, Kyle.

And no money was wasted in Iraq or Afghanistan during the prior administration.
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Posted by Kyle L. Varnell (+3745) 14 years ago
And no money was wasted in Iraq or Afghanistan during the prior administration.


Nobody was saying anything about Iraq or Afghanistan Bob. Try to stay on topic.
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supporter
Posted by Gunnar Emilsson (+18725) 14 years ago
Kyle writes:
Hopefully these people will be held accountable for misuse of the stimulus money.


If you read the article, what you are getting your panties in a wad over, is the different acounting processes used by different government agencies to try to convert stimulus dollars into jobs saved or created. No one is "misusing" the stimulus money.

For example, the article states:
In a letter sent to leaders at the Capitol on Monday, State Auditor Elaine Howle said that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has overstated by as many as 13,000 the number of jobs saved by federal stimulus dollars. That represents more than 10 percent of the jobs California reported saving with the federal funds.

Howle said the department appears to have counted employees who were not at risk of losing their jobs. The problem was discovered during an annual audit of the department, officials said.


So, while the number of jobs saved has been overestimated....the money apparently has been used in requirements with the law.

You appear to have some issues with government bean counting. On that, I agree with you 100%. But the money isn't being scammed or swindled.*

____________________________________________________________________
*Caveat: I fully expect that stimulus money is going to bribes and kickbacks in Illinois.
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Posted by Heath H (+640) 14 years ago
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? Please. The solution to meaningful growth (or expansion) of GDP will NEVER be government spending.

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Posted by Derf Bergman (+583) 14 years ago
*Caveat: I fully expect that stimulus money is going to bribes and kickbacks in Illinois.


This is a story my dad swears is true. I grew up in Illinois. In the 1960's and 1970's anyone who was hired for any state job (Welfare, Highway Department, etc.) was expected to pay $1000 up front money to complete the application process. If the money did not appear, the next person was offered the job, and so on, until someone was able to come up with the "application fee."

I wonder what a state job would cost today?
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Posted by Derf Bergman (+583) 14 years ago


Heath, can you explain my graph and the one you posted?
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Posted by Gunnar Emilsson (+18725) 14 years ago
Snort...good one, Derf!

Heath's graph is about the most moronic stupid idiocy I have seen in a long time on this site.

Heath.....do you miss grade school? Or are you drunk or high on meth? Explain your stupidity to us, please.
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Posted by mtpatriot (+76) 14 years ago
Obama has spent 3 times the amount in his first year then Bush did in his first year. More spending to come if the health care bill passes. Sad when China tells Obama not to do the health care as america cannot afford it. I am not saying what Bush did was right either by the way. But this has got to stop and stop soon or we wont have an economy left. We cannot afford any more of that type of stimulus, cap and trade either at this time. The government needs to do what we have to do in situations like this, tighten our belts. It also does not look good when Obama takes wife on a date in NY at the cost of 24,000.00 and we as taxpayers paid for that date, now how many of us would have loved to take our spouse on a 24,000.00 date? Or the tons of parties they feel they need to have at the white house at the tax payers expense. Yes there are some that are needed, but not ones like the Hawain party, and several others. Kind of grinds on a person when it is not fiscally responsible to do all of this. The most important things to the American people is the economy and jobs.
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Posted by souix (+301) 14 years ago
It also does not look good when Obama takes wife on a date in NY at the cost of 24,000.00 and we as taxpayers paid for that date, now how many of us would have loved to take our spouse on a 24,000.00 date?


Bush flew to Crawford 77 times at a cost of $226,072 for each trip..kind of expensive way to clear brush.

Comparatively, Obama's date night in New York was a bargain for the tax payers.

If you want to take your wife to NY, go ahead, I am sure she will appreciate the thought and unless you need secret service it will not cost you that much.
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Posted by Heath H (+640) 14 years ago
What is there to explain Gunnar? What's wrong, can't read the graph? The title of this thread is; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Problems

The graph I posted shows the correlation between government spending and the increase in the amount of government spending as it contributes to GDP. Where is the Recovery in that? When government spending accounts for over 36% of GDP (and growing), an increase in government spending via Recovery and Reinvestment skews GDP. There is no recovery in GDP expansion if the expansion of GDP is taking place in the form of government spending. Smoke and mirrors.
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supporter
Posted by Rick Kuchynka (+4463) 14 years ago
I fully expect that stimulus money is going to bribes and kickbacks in Illinois.


eeehee.

http://www.washingtonexam...83647.html

It's going on in California too. White House's solution?

Fire the investigator.
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Posted by Derf Bergman (+583) 14 years ago
There is no recovery in GDP expansion if the expansion of GDP is taking place in the form of government spending.


I was reasonably sure you didn't understand the graph. Now I know.
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