In the Money

As the economy slowly becomes more solvent, Republicans still can't resist lambasting the President on the merits of his Stimulus Package. They attacked it six months ago, and they are still bemoaning its existence despite their lack of action or direction in providing solutions of their own.

Considering that only about 25% of the stimulus package money has been spent, how can anyone determine the full affects of economic recovery at this point? The right-wing prefers to fan the flames of impatience by suggesting the plan is not working because its impact was not instantaneous.

Why not shed light on the Republican governors who refused stimulus money to extend unemployment benefits? And why weren't the right-wingers on top of the situation when Bush initially drove the economy down the drain with his governing practices, or when he injected the first stimulus package into the economy?

The following New York Times article written by Vice President Joe Biden perhaps explains it best:

• What You Might Not Know About the Recovery

Such as:

[And] those hardest hit by the recession are getting extended unemployment insurance, health coverage and other help to get through these tough times. The bottom line is that two-thirds of the Recovery Act doesn't finance "programs," but goes directly to tax cuts, state governments and families in need, without red tape or delays.

In another NYT article (President Urges Public Patience on Economy), White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said: "I think the public knows three things: We inherited a total mess; we're working hard on it; and we're not going to get out of it overnight. Here's the deal: The key to what this year is about is rescuing the economy from falling off the cliff and trying to put in place the building blocks of recovery."

I feel most informed Americans understand the gradual process of economic recovery, especially the time it will take to chip away at the mountain of debt initiated by former president Bush.