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So this part of the stimula plan that the experts in government told us was adequately funded to last through November (for a total of four months) ran dry in less than a week.
(But I'm confident that the governments numbers RE the cost of health care are spot on)
(But I'm confident that the governments numbers RE the cost of health care are spot on)
OF COURSE THEY ARE!!
Last night's news had a story about the local school district making a $17 million error on their budget. Turns out they only have $32 million to work with instead of $49 million.
Maybe they need to go back to math class.
The feds make mistakes like that, except with at least 3 more zeros on the end.
Can only say..local news (here) today said..clunker program has helped "alittle" with sale of new vehicles. Maybe it will/has dried up or maybe more $$$ to come? Meantime....
Nev. just rec'd bunch of fed. stim.$$$. Being divided up thruout state. As direct result..some major road work (been postponed) will finally be started/completed in my town. Another town may hire more police.
Not entirely, but got better understanding why some states hesitate or might not accept stim.$$$ given current recession/tough economic times. Apparently if project started & not completed with stim$$$, taxpayers make up diff. Our understanding here..road work will be started/completed with stim.$$$. If a town hires police with their share of stim.$$$, when used up..taxpayer could get stuck?
FWIW..we always have an on going road problem here. We also have an on going road fund, but never enough to handle all that needs doing at same time. We also passed couple times over the yrs. an additional tax per gal. gas/fuel to help pay cost of road work.
Looks to me like out of all the programs to get us out of this economic depression, this one has been (so far) the best bang for the buck. ...
No, all it'll do is create an artificial bubble. There will be an apparent uptick as long as the subsidies exist, then a crash as soon as the program expires.
Without addressing the underlying problems -- stagflation, declining wages, ever-increasing federal debt, trade imbalance, lack of productive labor & unsustainable business models -- there won't be any recovery, just another bubble destined to burst.
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Douglas Campbell, P.E.
1986 Isuzu P'up, 177,673.8 miles.
- Hella headlights (highly recommended)
- DOT C-2 back end (also recommended)
- R-12 air conditioner converted to R-406a. Saved ozone and money
- 4.1:1 final drive converted to 3.4:1. Quieter, better mileage but it's a good thing I live in the flat Midwest.
- 9/22/2007, age 21: Still running well when reluctantly sent away for reincarnation, due to body & frame rust.
No, all it'll do is create an artificial bubble. There will be an apparent uptick as long as the subsidies exist, then a crash as soon as the program expires.
Although it is obviously only a short term benefit, at least it is getting money into the system. The same argument can be made for every penny that we've spent so far anyway.
Quote:
Without addressing the underlying problems -- stagflation, declining wages, ever-increasing federal debt, trade imbalance, lack of productive labor & unsustainable business models -- there won't be any recovery, just another bubble destined to burst.
C'mon now....give me a little credit. I'm certainly not arguing that these are the ultimate problems needing fixed. Before you can get to the operating room however, triage is often needed.
I still believe that even though it is obviously a "bubble," it is a positive bubble that will make a difference and is needed at this time.
See I have a problem with this cash for clunkers thing because it is not universal. It is rationed to first come and first served. Very few people benefit from this, and I have to ask why I am being taxed to give somebody a cheaper car?
See I have a problem with this cash for clunkers thing because it is not universal. It is rationed to first come and first served. Very few people benefit from this, and I have to ask why I am being taxed to give somebody a cheaper car?
They didn't use any of your personal tax dollars, the check that you wrote went to other things.
Although it is obviously only a short term benefit, at least it is getting money into the system. The same argument can be made for every penny that we've spent so far anyway.
C'mon now....give me a little credit. I'm certainly not arguing that these are the ultimate problems needing fixed. Before you can get to the operating room however, triage is often needed.
I still believe that even though it is obviously a "bubble," it is a positive bubble that will make a difference and is needed at this time.
How does giving someone $4500.00 dollars towards a new Korean-Made Sephia, Mexican-Made Fusion, German-Made TDI or perhaps a Japanese-Made Insight help the American economy?
The amount of margin built into such a vehicle at the dealership level is less than half the $4500.00 tax-credit being dolled out by the government. The other half goes to the importer which may or may not be an American-based company.
How does giving someone $4500.00 dollars towards a new Korean-Made Sephia, Mexican-Made Fusion, German-Made TDI or perhaps a Japanese-Made Insight help the American economy?
I know you're smart enough to already know that there are a lot of "American" automobile manufacturers who have their vehicles made in other countries and that there are a lot of foreign car makers who have plants here in America. Your comment is nothing more than a red herring and deserves its own thread on all of the pros/cons of having such an interrelated economy (read The World is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman )
So I will just point out the obvious people who have jobs because any cars are sold:
- The bank giving the loan (in most cases)
- Advertisers who are getting more money from dealers because more cars are being sold
- Sales people at the dealership
- The support people at the dealerships
And of course there's the old........tax, title and registration.
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