The stimulus needs a boost?

There’s an old truism: “The wheels of government grind exceedingly slow.” We need to bear this in mind before we bitch about the apparent failure of the so-called stimulus plan.

Not that it was a perfect plan. It was too small, as many economists predicted, Paul Krugman among them. It was a compromise, to bring aboard a measly two Republicans. It was weak, which delighted those who hoped it would fail, who would use that failure to score political points — as they’ve already been doing.

See, we need to remember this about Republicans: they put party ahead of country. Don’t believe it? Listen to them. Pay attention. The Republican party is more important than the economy, just like it’s more important than climate change.

But let’s get back to the truism: maybe the stimulus plan was too modest, but we don’t know that for sure yet. What we do know is that the government can’t do anything fast. No one in their right mind would want the Treasury to throw money out the door. I actually don’t know how the government works in cases like this, and I’m too old to learn. I know there’s always a lot of paperwork involved, and that all by itself takes time

It’s true that we’re still hemorrhaging jobs, but once again economists try to remind us that jobs are a lagging indicator of economic recovery. Those still with jobs have to start spending again, and only then will the rehiring begin. They’ll start spending when they regain some confidence in the economy — and Republicans are doing their best to undermine that confidence.

A lot of things have to happen for this economy to turn around. Banks have to start lending again. The foreclosure problem has to be solved. People have to start buying houses again. Demand for other goods has to rise. Existing jobs have to be preserved. Perhaps most importantly, Republicans have to shut up.

I urge those independents out there (the ones I described as kinda wishy-washy, philosophically, in an earlier post) to resist the urge to throw their support behind Sarah Palin, or some other equally unqualified conservative (one George Bush in our lifetime is enough thank you) and be patient. Americans hung tough during the 1930s. We can do it again.

I need help here

I have trouble understanding the concept of “independent voter.” These are the people that each side tries to corral come election time, the ones who could go either way. I would appreciate it if someone could explain to me how people who call themselves independent can vote for George Bush one time and Barack Obama the next. The only answer I can come up with on my own is that “independents” have no philosophical belief system.

One doesn’t need to be an astute political analyst to realize that John McCain and Barack Obama are about as different as tortoises and hares. We knew up front what each stood for. We knew how each would govern, how each would handle the pressing issues we face as a nation. We knew, for example, simply because of his conservative credentials, that McCain would continue to support the traditional Republican free-market approach to health care, whereas Obama would want to come at it from another direction. We know that, on social issues, McCain differs little from most other conservatives. This is their brand.

So how can someone waiver between points of view that are so opposite? Do people listen to campaign rhetoric and say, well he’s right, but so is he, and then close their eyes and flip a coin?

I honestly don’t know what the answer is.