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]

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 :)