Here’s something definitely worth reading.

In his piece entitled “Stimulus Deal: The Bane of Bipartisanship” Robert Borosage says everything I’ve been thinking about the so-called economic fix that our government has been cooking up. Turns out they did exactly what I expected and skipped over what actually gets an economy revved up, like providing jobs and services to the people who are actually going to put the money they make or save back into the engine and keep things moving (think Roosevelt’s New Deal). Instead, it’s the same old big business handouts: tax breaks that are supposedly going to save us from downfall, but aren’t really going to change how business is being done. Of course there’s the let them eat cake gesture of a tax refund for some of the rest of us. That extra grand might keep a few families from being too hungry, but I don’t see how it’s going to encourage anyone to go out and spend big bucks freely. Borosage’s best line is his opening one, “Barbara Ehrenreich memorably called the talk about the stimulus ‘clitoral economics.’ And that was before we got screwed.” What else can really be said? By the way, if you are surprised by this economic package please let me know. If you think it’s a great idea, please don’t bother me.

Well this year is off to a great start: economic recession, continued war, gas prices still high, more ridiculousness on the campaign trail, and I’m sure there is something I am forgetting.

When I started hearing about the recession a couple of weeks ago, it sounded like it was somehow a big surprise to everyone. I guess they all believed Bush when he told us everything was fine. But I think the signs have been there all along. How do you suddenly go from the economy is great to “quick, bring out the lifeboats.” The fact that the US dollar has declined in value for the last couple of years, or the collapse of the mortgage market back in the fall weren’t clues enough. I hope whatever stimulus they decide on works out, though I always thought war was a sure fire way to jump-start an economy. That just shows what I know.

On the bright side Tom Ridge has declared that waterboarding is torture, which is a great relief for those of us who were unsure. All I have to say is I’m looking forward to whatever else this year has to offer, as long I don’t have to choose between a right wing Christian nutcase or a fluffer for president.