the stimulus plan

It seems that President Obama will have to fight his own party if he wants to get cooperation in Congress. Although he insisted on having certain parts removed, such as money for family planning, Democrats still managed to load it with so much pork that I'm surprised they're not planning a pig roast.

The Senate at least seems to be more sane, and recognize that if we really want to fix the economy we have to tighten our belts and really have only job-producing projects in this bill. Money for family planning is nice, and may help the economy a generation down the road, but this is not the appropriate place for it. Millions to prevent sexually transmitted disease, which is still in the bill, is the same story. It is a good thing but does NOT belong in THIS bill. As for $650 million for digital TV coupons. I can't even say I think that's a good idea. Let's get our infrastructure rebuilt before we worry about pleasure time and TV.

However, Republicans have to compromise too. There are certain things they do not consider job-producing but which definitely are.

I can't see how anyone could consider $3 billion for energy retrofits at public buildings to be pork. Not only are there the immediate jobs of doing the "shovel-ready" work of making the government more energy efficient. It may also include hiring people to conduct energy audits and install so-called "smart-meters" that more efficiently allocate power. Plus, once it's done, there's the eternal savings of making hundred years old buildings energy efficient by 21st century standards. As someone who lived in a 100 year old house and know how much it cost to heat, I also know how much money could be saved with energy efficient improvements. And those savings are forever.

Money for child-care on military bases is a case in point. First, day care centers employ people, and allow parents to be able to work outside the home to bring in income. I can't see how this would not be considered job creation, but it's one of the pet peeves of Republicans I've heard about the port.

Money for the National Endowment for the Arts is another example. The Arts are as important as the banks. Let's remember things that got done under the Works Project Administration (WPA). "This Land is Your Land" was written with WPA money. The beautiful bridges on the Merritt Parkway were built with WPA money. They are just as efficient as less artistic bridges but they are a monument to the innovation and creativity of the architects who designed them (with WPA money). I think we need to continue to remember that arts and beauty are important.

So, I hope the stimulus bill passes, minus the pork. But I hope that there can be some compromise on just what constitutes pork.