Stimulus Bill

The speed with which the president wants to get this "stimulus" bill enacted into law makes me suspicious of what is really in it. I understand the bill consists of 500 pages. I don't think the House or Senate members have had time to read it thoroughly and know its contents fully.

I also feel the president is trying to panic the public to get this bill enacted. Everyday on the news we hear how many jobs are lost and that we must act quickly to avoid disaster. The old adage "haste makes waste" is a proven axiom in all situations. As to how much of this money is for improving infrastructure, the housing situation, etc., or just plain "pork" we are not being informed.

This president came into office on the promise of "change" and not "the same old politics." What has changed? The majority of his appointees to high government jobs are from the old Clinton administration. Three of them had unpaid tax problems. Two were smart enough to decline the job. The third one was confirmed to be Secretary of the Treasury, saying his reason for not paying taxes was "an honest mistake." If this is so, then in my estimation he's too dumb to be Secretary of the Treasury or he's a slick con artist. In any case this is "the same old politics." No changes.

What is going on today brings to mind these two quotes by Thomas Jefferson, "my reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government" and "the democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Dick Ford
Sebring