Stimulus sends money to the rich contractors while not helping the poor.
STIMULUS WATCH: Jobs, but not where needed most
By MATT APUZZO and BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE, Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON – The billions in transportation stimulus dollars that President Barack Obama promoted as a way to create jobs shortchange counties that need the work the most, an Associated Press analysis has found.
The AP's review of more than 5,500 planned transportation projects nationwide is the most complete picture available of where states plan to spend the first wave of highway money. It reveals that states are planning to spend 50 percent more per person in areas with the lowest unemployment than in communities with the highest. The Transportation Department said it will attempt to replicate the AP's analysis as it continues pressing states to dole out money fairly.
One result among many: Elk County, Pa., isn't receiving any road money despite its 13.8 percent unemployment rate. Yet the military and college community of Riley County, Kan., with 3.4 percent unemployment, will benefit from about $56 million to build a highway, improve an intersection and restore a historic farmhouse.[...]The AP reviewed $18.9 billion in projects. They account for about half of the money set aside for states and local governments to spend on roads, bridges and infrastructure in the stimulus plan.The very promise that Obama made, to spend money quickly and create jobs, is locking out many struggling communities needing those jobs.The money goes to projects ready to start. But many struggling communities don't have projects waiting. They couldn't afford the millions of dollars for preparation and plans that often is required."It's not fair," said Martin Schuller, the borough manager in the Elk County seat of Ridgway, who commiserates about the inequity in highway aid with colleagues in nearby towns. "It's a joke because we're not going to get it, because we don't have any projects ready to go."How is this fair to those who have been looking for jobs, but cannot find them.
Obama's trillion spent so far has made the banks and contractors rich.
I think a better stimulus would have been paying off student loans or direct checks to college students.
What stimulus do you think would have worked the best?
Repent or be destroyed
