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Stimulus Watch: By the Numbers
Posted by Randy | September 10, 2010

  • $1,161,000,000,000:  The total cost of the Democrats “stimulus.”  The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of the bill will reach $814 billion and interest on the debt for the bill will be at least $347 billion.

 

  • 9.6%:  The unemployment rate for the month of August 2010.

 

  • 283,000:  The number of jobs lost in June, July and August 2010.

 

  • 3,582,000:  The number of gross jobs lost since the “stimulus” was signed into law.

 

  • 6,249,000:  The number of Americans unemployed and searching for work for more than 27 weeks.

 

  • 45.4%:  The percentage of people between the ages of 16 and 24 years old with a job.  Prior to the stimulus, employment among 16 to 24 year olds had never slipped below 47.5 percent.

 

As you know, I was one of only 17 Members of Congress to vote against both this stimulus and every other stimulus and bailout under the Bush and Obama Administrations because I believed that they would not work.

As I have said from the beginning, real economic growth comes from generating income and wealth for American families, and income and wealth come from increasing commerce and growing jobs. I believe we need to focus on solutions that provide more opportunities to small businesses, so that they can begin to create more jobs and lead us back on the path to economic recovery.

I want to hear your thoughts – what do you think is the best way to create jobs for Americans?
Comments
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
  • William Lockwood commented on 9/12/2010
    Congressman Forbes, I believe that cutting taxes is important so that Americans will have more money to put into the economy, which in turn boosts small businesses and creates jobs. I can see that you have the same idea so I don't have to go into detail on how this works. I also believe that a smaller Federal Government is best. the so called "jobs" created by big government is alot like a piramid scheme, we can only build so much before the law of physics makes it imposible to build any more. So in short we need to cut taxes and cut government. This would be a good start. Very Respectfuly William F. Lockwood II
  • Denise Kellum commented on 9/13/2010
    Congressman Forbes, I am not going to say I totally understand everything that our government does and I also understand that we cannot please everyone all the time. Here is my opinion on our American Government issues... First, Yes, its nice to help other contries, but if we put as much money into America as we "send" to other countries, imagine the impact it would have. Just the money sent to Haiti alone would have made a difference here in America. We need to help ourselves FIRST, then we should help others. Also, for the Welfare recipients....I am a single mom, haven't seen any child support in 6 years, and make less than $30,000 a year. I do not receive any help. I believe that if I am required to have a drug test to have and keep my job, those that receive help from our government should be required to take one also. MY TAX money supports those that abuse the system over, and over, and over. It is NOT FAIR. Everyone knows this, why doesn't the government do something? I will NEVER understand this. Second, I feel like we are slowly selling ourselves out and loosing our "freedom." How? How many products are in your shopping cart that are actually "Made In America"? I went to WalMart the other day, and I could not purchase everything I needed by purchasing only American Made products, I could not purchase 10% of what I NEEDED to buy, not luxuries, necessities only. What would happen if we all started buying "American Made" only? The items are not available right now, but we would have to build companies to make the products, which in turn creates revenue, JOBS, and less reliance on China, Tawian, Mexico and all the other countries our money is going to. WE NEED TO HELP OURSELVES!!!! We are so reliant on the "cheaper" product from elsewhere, that we have slowly "sold out our freedom". Does no one realize this? I remember it was a sense of PRIDE to buy American Made. Now it should be because of regaining our own jobs, revenue, and freedom. Why is it all so political, and not about the people? Politicians might be more accepted and respected if they were more like you and wanted to help our country and not themselves! Respectfully, D Kellum Isle of Wight County
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