Stimulus Success

It has been great this morning listening to CNN commentators argue about whether the stimulus created jobs or not.  The point of these programs seems to be to discredit people who are saying the stimulus didn't create any jobs by bringing up isolated companies and how they got money and hired some people.  As usual what is considered the "main stream" media is way off the point.  I think even my 5 year old daughter could take $100 billion and wind up creating a bunch of jobs.  The question is whether this was effective legislation to fix the problems with the country's economy.

So really what do we know?  The net loss of jobs appears to have been around 6 million and the unemployment rate, even when taking a "rosey" view of it is over 10% right now.  We have a huge national debt and our entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are constant sources uncontrolled public expense that basically threaten all private citizens and businesses.  In other words anyone deciding to create a life or a business in this country knows they will automatically inherit huge expenses beyond their control.  Many states have saved public sector jobs with stimulus dollars - jobs that will wind up unfunded when the stimulus runs out.

In the end has our government done what it takes to address the underlying problems?  Did stimulus dollars just rob from Peter to give to Paul?  Did the $100 billion spent result in more in added value to the American people than $100 billion plus whatever interest will have to be paid on that money?

These are the questions that we need answered.