As the news about the global economic downturn goes from bad to worse, we’re at a point where government inaction is not a palatable option.  Something needs to be done, and countermeasures against further slippage into recession need to be implemented with all deliberate speed.  Most other countries in the grip of this recession are doing the same, and now, it seems, the United States is poised to spend an amazing amount of money to prime the pump to revive the economy. And since private enterprise is doing everything in its power to weather this storm the only way it knows how (i.e., by cutting overhead, reducing spending, and laying off employees), the importance of government action is magnified, because it’s seemingly the only option left.

President Obama’s proposed $825 billion stimulus package is currently running through the sausage mill of Congress, but this time, it’s supposed to be an “earmark free” bill.  But that’s not stopping Republicans from bloviating about pork in the bill that allots money for family planning (Contraceptives!) and the NEA (Robert Mapplethorpe! “Piss Christ!” One of the Guys!).  Those amounts are small compared with the money directed at improving the infrastructure of many agencies in the federal government — which, like the Social Security Administration for example, have not upgraded their central computer system Since the last days of the Carter Administration.

If pork = any kind of government spending, then the Republicans ought to stop acting holier than thou on this stimulus package and remember the heady days when they were in full support of blowing billions on war and war related organizations like Kellogg, Brown and Root.  You remember Kellogg, Brown, and Root, right?  You know, the company Dick Cheney was president and CEO of before appointing himself the vice presidential candidate during George W. Bush’s campaign for the White House?  The same company that’s been overcharging the American taxpayer for services provided to American soldiers serving in Iraq — just to name one example? I know, there’s a thing called “the loyal opposition,” but it seems the Republican leadership has very little they can really oppose, so they are going after those golden oldies of the cultural wars:  birth control and controversial artists.  What was that line Obama used about setting aside childish things?  Clearly it has fallen on deaf ears. (more…)