WORLD> Govt Stimulus
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WORLD> Govt Stimulus
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Obama repackages old US stimulus plan
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-09 10:22 Americans apparently agree. Obama's disapproval rating on the economy has risen from 30 percent in February to 42 percent, according to a Gallup poll completed May 31.
Sensing weakness on a signature issue of Obama's presidency, congressional Republicans are renewing their criticisms that the stimulus plan has not shown results, only mounting debt.
"This is President Obama's economy, and his administration must provide results and specifics rather than vague descriptions of success that seem to change by the week," said Rep. Eric Cantor, the second-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives. "The administration looks dramatically out of touch as they highlight the creation of temporary summer employment in the face of job losses unseen in decades, record unemployment and massive deficits," Cantor added. By any measure, spending $44 billion in less than four months, and with unprecedented openness, is an uncharacteristic feat in Washington: The $44 billion amounts to about 9 percent of the stimulus money that is not going to tax cuts. The expectations have been even higher. Several economists said Monday the economy is unlikely to see much boost from the stimulus before next year. "It takes time to organize projects, to get the bids in, the funds out and the work started," said Nigel Gault, chief US economist at IHS Global Insight. Obama answered his critics Monday by announcing a list of stimulus projects, including many already previously outlined, saying the work will have a huge affect on the economy this summer. There is money for expanded health services in local clinics; improvements in national parks and medical centers for veterans; money for police and school jobs; and more than 1,800 public works projects. Without naming names, Obama shot back at skeptics during the Cabinet meeting. "Now, I know that there's some who, despite all evidence to the contrary, still don't believe in the necessity and promise of this recovery act." "And I would suggest to them that they talk to the companies who, because of this plan, scrapped the idea of laying off employees and, in fact, decided to hire employees. Tell that to the Americans who received that unexpected call saying, 'Come back to work."'
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