Thoughts On The Stimulus Package

The package announced today is disappointing. The Democrats have missed another opportunity to make good policy for the people they're supposed to represent. See my former employer for a good rundown of what's in the package and all the progressive proposals left out. Add to that list a lack of relief for state and local budgets, infrastructure funding, job training money, child support, etc. And the housing component looks bad, too.

There's talk that the package might be amended. This seems possible. Every statement on the package I've seen has been largely critical. And I don't think the hardline rightists are particularly happy either, as their beloved marginal tax rates have stayed the same. But few people are going to want to undermine such high-profile legislation, particularly if the bottom ever does fall out of the stock market.

I doubt a second package would be more progressive. This package is a significant revenue drain, it violates PAYGO, and Republicans seldom cooperate as much they are now. People who don't like this package should speak now, or you know.

Yet again the Congressional leadership, and perhaps the progressive community, has disappointed. They seem clueless. Do they not see how much leverage they have? Worse, they seem spineless. NOT ONCE have they had a real showdown with Bush and the Republicans. They give them far too much and ask for far too little in return. Why is the progressive movement letting them get off so easy?