Stimulus item by item

[primsong]

Just a brief political note for those in the States - Thanks to Stef for the pointer. Anyone interested in knowing exactly how many porky ornaments have been buried in the stimulus package may want to take a look over here where they've broken it down into an item-by-item list that can be voted on:

http://www.daylightnetwork.com/senate-stimulus

Be sure to let your reps and senators know what your own thoughts might be, pass the word.

Comments

[iorhael94.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sending this...I have been wanting to see details on this. You know, some of these may look porky on the surface but when you dig deeper, you can see how they can really help...Bob helped me see that on a few I read to him. I am going to go through it more carefully in the next couple of days. Thanks again!

[primsong.livejournal.com]

There are a few items in there that I completely agree with - but others.... yeah. I just automatically get suspicious when the gov't gets in a 'big hurry' to pass something before it can be properly discussed or adjusted.

[primsong.livejournal.com]

Oh - and I'm curious what you think of this:

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/02/unreal-democrats-stimulus-bill-bans.html

What an interesting thing to add to a stimulus bill.

[iorhael94.livejournal.com]

I do wonder about the smoking cessation programs but hey, if these programs that may seem a bit porky create jobs, I'm all for it right now. We need every job we can get in this country (including web designers ;o!) (Ordinarily I wouldn't feel this way because, having worked for the Govt for ten years, I have seen the bureaucracy and overspending up close and personal, so I am more for smaller govt myself. But we are in a desperate situation right now :(

After the country is back on its feet financially and the way Wall Street, banks, and big corporations operate has been restructured then we can streamline federal funding a bit, but not right now.

On the link you sent:

"Funds may not be used for the "modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities-- used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission." When I was in college, our Inter-Varsity would meet in a classroom. This would not count as the building was mainly used for educational purposes. So I honestly think that the people who wrote up that blog entry and Senator Dement really don't have anything to fear.

And the new administration definitely does support faith-based organizations: "Among the many items in the proposed economic stimulus bill, HR 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is a provision for funding of $100 million for grants to faith-based organization through the Compassion Capital Fund [at pg. 141 of bill]."

And just a thought....should Christians and other faiths really be relying on the Federal Government for funds to operate? Back to my college days, we had two buildings near but not on campus, a Baptist Student Union and a Christian Community Center (which I think was funded by the Catholic church) and they both thrived. I personally wouldn't want our Christian organizations under the cover of the federal government....looking back to the early days ..Christianity survived and grew when it under a very repressive government...same with Christians in Russia during the Soviet rule. Not that I am comparing our government to those situations, but still I think that separation of church and state is a very good thing! ;)

Bob and I are going to a Economic Recovery house meeting tonight so I'm sure we will learn a lot there, which I will be happy to pass on to you :)