Stimulus Watch Website

[musashi]

I’ve come across a very revealing website, called Stimulus Watch.

One of the tenants of Keynesian economics is that in times of deep economic recessions governments should attempt to maintain a base line level of economic activity by its own spending, even if this spending would require new borrowing. Typically the best “investments” are considered to be those made in infrastructure since these fruits will support economic growth once the cycle reverses.

I came across this website that provides a detailed list of these “shovel ready” projects. One cool feature - it breaks down the projects and spending by state and by city. This allows you to see how and where the money is going. Another cool feature is that it allows you to vote on each project. Some of the projects listed for my community where absolutely stupid.

$40 million dollars for a “quiet study” in San Diego? - Good work if you can get it, but you just can’t tell anyone about it…

[Riprion]

PORKALICIOUS!!!!!

[Raaz Satik]

Here in Houston they are trying to push ahead with a large loop road that they having been discussing for almost 20 years. From what I understand the project is suddenly of interest again as they think it might get stimulus money. When the state had to pay for it themselves they could never get the support, now its somebody else's money (ie mine!) they're happy to spend it. Crazy.