Is this “Stimulus”??

Is this "Stimulus"??

   Definition of Stimulus: Something that incites or rouses to action; an incentive

WASHINGTON, D.C. –America’s economic crisis continues, and there is an immediate need for Congress to produce a strong and definitive plan - with measured investments in federal projects and programs - to help our nation weather this financial storm.

However, the Pelosi-Obey stimulus proposal released yesterday spends $825 billion taxpayer dollars and plummets our nation into historic debt, but does not contain the kind of targeted investments to keep our economy stable, spur significant job creation, or provide taxpayers with economic results worthy of their investment.

In fact, much of the spending within this proposal defies common sense. Before we pass this Pelosi-Obey legislation – the costliest in history - Congress has a duty to ask this basic question…. are these items “stimulus”?

• $50 million in funding for the National Endowment of the Arts

• $15.6 billion to increase Pell Grants (Higher education assistance – does not create jobs and has no emergency need for additional funds)

• $200 million to “encourage electric vehicle technologies” in state and local government motor pools

• $1.9 billion in funding for high level physics research – such as nuclear physics

• $650 million to extend the coupon program to allow analog TV owners to continue to watch TV

• $44 million for repairs to USDA headquarters

• $200 million for National Mall repairs – including grass planting

• $150 million for repairs to Smithsonian facilities

• $400 million to the Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for “habitat restoration”

• $3 billion for a new “Prevention and Wellness” fund

• $600 million to “prepare our country for universal healthcare”

• $726 million for an after school snack program

• $1 billion in additional funding for “comparative effectiveness research” at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

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