Understanding the Stimulus Bill

Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?" The professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you." The student agreed. At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's house. The professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool. They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, "First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water as you can." The student did as he was instructed. The professor then continued, "Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it." The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told. The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool. The confused student asked, "Excuse me, but why are we doing this?" The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper. The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find out the real story soon enough. However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to become worried that his economics professor had gone mad. The student finally replied, "All we're doing is wasting valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you'll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could have been truly productive action!" The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, "Congratulations. You now understand the stimulus bill."

Harrison Schmitt re: global warming

I just heard a news item about former astronaut Harrison Schmitt, who stated recently that the:
"global warming scare is being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives, incomes and decision making."
You can read the entire article here:

http://www.demingheadlight.com/ci_11712902

I am glad that more scientists are speaking out on this issue, which I feel is blown out of all proportion.

On another note, I have been trying to get my arms around the way the stimulus package is going to work for those of us who are retired, although we still pay taxes to the state and federal government for our pensions. What I heard today is that we will not be receiving lump-sum check this year like we did in 2007; instead, our taxes will be reduced by a pittance each week, on the theory that receiving smaller regular payments will encourage us to buy more, rather than pay down our debt or save for emergencies, large purchases, etc.
Why am I surprised? The powers that be have been using totally insane 'logic' so far to deal with the economic crisis, so why should I expect them to regain sanity now?
On that note, I would like to wish you all happy early Washington's Birthday, and a belated happy Lincoln's birthday... and for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, these milestones actually used to be celebrated on the actual dates, not a generic, made-up date to make another 3-day weekend... Oh, well!

Sign this petition!

Last night, the $819 billion "Stimulus" Package passed a vote in the house, but the Republicans in the House of Representatives took a big step in regaining their fiscally responsible brand as all GOP members of Congress who voted said 'no' to bigger government, more debt, and wasteful giveaway programs. In addition, 11 courageous Democrats took a stand for fiscal sanity in the face of a menacing Democrat leadership.We're gearing up for a spirited fight in the Senate next week, but need your help. Go to www.nostimulus.com and join the growing army of taxpayers saying NO by signing Americans for Prosperity's petition to stop this disastrous trillion-dollar debt scheme, known as the "Stimulus Package."
Please take 2 minutes to go to this website and be heard!