Obama's stimulus will cost more than the entire Iraq war.

[SamuelRSmith]

HappySqurriel said:

fastyxx said:

CBO said that stimulus added or saved between 1.4 and 3.3 million jobs and lowered unemployment by as much as 1.8% in the 2nd quarter.

How much is that worth at this point in time?  Where would consumer confidence be now if unemployment were in the mid 11% range?  Where would we be with another 1.5%- 2.5% of the workplace out of jobs?  Where would businesses be without an additional couple million out there spending as employed individuals?

We've used the CBO to throw stones at the stimulus.  (Though as I pointed out, this was somewhat baseless, though Mafoo chose to not respond to that critique.)  So are we now going to accept the CBO's analysis that the stimulus was indeed successful if not perfect?

What methodology does the CBO use to determine that a job was saved? It is up to the individual (or group) who makes a claim to prove that it is true rather than force someone to demonstrate that their statement is untrue; otherwise an idividual could argue that Emo music has prevented countless terrorist acts because there has not been a terrorist act since Emo music became popular.

Homer: Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol must be working like a
charm.
Lisa: That's spacious reasoning, Dad.
Homer: Thank you, dear.
Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.
Homer: Oh, how does it work?
Lisa: It doesn't work.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: It's just a stupid rock.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: But I don't see any tigers around, do you?
[Homer thinks of this, then pulls out some money]
Homer: Lisa, I want to buy your rock.