The Stimulus Plan

This really is a little off topic, but since I have no lesson plans to post, and it has been on my mind lately. So I thought I was start a discussion, to see what others think. I have very ambivalent feelings about the whole thing. Florida really needs this money, but how does it really stimulate. It will save the state budget, but will not stimulate any new jobs, or help the housing market. The first TARP has been a huge failure. The second one is getting set to be paid out, with no real thoughts of how it will help. Now there is news that a third TARP is in the making, come on really now. The stimulus package being proposed, and attempted to rush through the senate, is only 1/3 of stimulus and everything else is pet projects that members of the House have been trying to get through for 30 yrs. Stimulus is needed to make new jobs, and help the housing market. Anyone who understands Economics knows that the real problem is that people are not spending money. Either because they do not have the money to spend, credit is not being given out freely, or they are afraid to spend money. There is no confidence, and that is not going to change by the government spending a trillion dollars of tax payers money, on things that not only probably will not work, but will not work for at least two or three years. Our taxes will only go up, which means we will spend even less. Companies will continue to lay off workers, even with the stimulus plan. Why, because they need to make profits. That is what being a member of the Stock Market means. You need to make a certain amount of profits to participate in the Stock Market, and when people are not spending you must make cuts to keep those profits at that magical number. A lot of these companies laying off workers, lost profits, but were still making money. They just were not making as much as before. Some companies truly went under, but most are just looking greedily at their decrease in profits. This has to do with the Stock Market, and being part of it. They are rushing this thing through so fast, that we can not even get a handle on all of it. Obama is getting irritable, and testy because these are all projects he wants done. He is using the financial crisis to achieve campaign promises such as Health Care, and Green projects. He promised change, but he is now using the same scare tactics Bush used to push through the first TARP plan. They keep saying this full jobs, and they are using scare tactics. We are going to most likely lose those jobs anyway, at least for the next few months. Why not slow down, and get it right, instead of rushing, and pushing through nonsense. Does he not realize if this fails, and does not work it will effect him if he decides to run again. Take the time to do it right.

Florida Looks For Federal Relief

I see a double sword with this article. Florida, is almost completely broke, and soon to be in a crisis mode. Governor Charlie Crist is lobbying for the stimulus plan to be approved in the Senate. I am all for a stimulus plan, but at least 50-60% of the so called stimulus plan, is just garbage, not stimulus. As a Floridian I can see why this state needs Federal assistance, yet I am still on the hedge about it. These are the numbers posted in a local newspaper as to money and its breakdown.

8 Billion dollars: that is the amount of money already cut by Florida lawmakers, with more likely to come.
There are currently 752,000 Floridians out of work, and increasing.
The amount of the projected stimulus plan in Congress is 825 Billion dollars, and growing.
As tax payers in the US we have already footed the 700 Billion dollar TARP plan, which to my knowledge did not succeed to do anything to stimulate the economy.
4 Billion dollars, to increase Federal money for Medicaid. Do not misunderstand me this country needs healthcare for everyone, that is affordable and available. It is how we are going to go about it that has me worried. 4 Billion is a lot to ask of taxpayers.
7Billion for Transportation projects. I am kind of unsure of how this will stimulate Florida's economy at all. Most of the jobs lost here are in construction, and the housing market, not transportation. That one has me baffled.

It seems to be getting only worse, and the Congress seems to have no real conclusions, only spending and taxing. I am not someone who is anti tax. I believe we need to pay taxes, but I also believe we need some real transparency, and accountability as to how, and where taxes are used. What do you think about the financial situation in your state, and the stimulus bill being pushed in Congress?

It is obvious to me Florida needs help, and we need it soon. But so do a lot of other states, that do not have the luxury of millions of visitors to their state every year, as Florida does.

Lesson Plans for 2/5/09:

Reading: Chapter 6 of Ghost Town at Sundown
Health: Healthful leisure activities
Language Arts: reviewing sentences, punctuation
Math: Problem solving, multiplication, division
Writing: The thing that I do best is
Vocabulary: Lesson 18- write each vocabulary word, and definition 2x each
Spelling: Lesson 18- put the spelling words in alphabetical order
PE: 30 minutes

Netflix, Lessons, White House Rescue Plan

Last week, was a rough week, in my little blogging world. Here on Melissas Homeschool, my Entrecard, was delete and then reinstated but not without losing all my credits, and advertisors. Then on my jewelry blog, my template would not work properly. None of my side links would show up, even though they were there when I tried to fix it, but wouldnt show live. I hope this week will not be so messy.

I am not tooting Netflix's horn, but I do love their service. We have had them for several years, and they help so much with Homeschooling. They have so many different learning options, if you look and use your imagination. My children, of course, get their favorite movies to view as well. You can supplement, Science, History, Foreign Language, Phonics, Math, Reading, tons of different options. Check it out, and supplement your Homeschool activities.

Now I can not leave, without making a statement about the so called Rescue Plan, that was passed last Friday. Already, today the Dow has fallen another 350 points, and Congress is already talking about more rescue plans being needed. They said initially it would take about 45 days to get the plan doing its job, now they are saying 6 months to a year. Really, hmm interesting how that was left out. So lets see, states like California, Florida, and many others are almost bankrupt, and dont know if they will make payroll, they might need some Federal money. 401k's lost a ton of money, again today, despite Congress saying this would not happen if only they passed the Rescue Bill. Gas prices may come down, because the greedy Opec people are afraid, we might not be able to afford 3.89 for gas, much longer. McDonalds, made more money last month, because their food is actually cheaper than buying groceries for some people. Bars are raking in a ton of money, from all the people who are stressed, burdened, and looking for some comfort. Please be sure and thank your Senators, and Representatives for rescuing us.

Here are the lesson plans for 10/7/08:

Reading: Read chapter 10 of The Knight Before Dawn
Writing: Why are Firefighters important
Language Arts: Phonics review, referencing
Math: Multiplication, addition, subtraction
Science: Plants and animals of the sea- Sharks
Spelling: Review of lessons 1-5
Vocabulary: Review of lessons 1-5
PE: 30 minutes
Word Search: Veggies
on 10/6 we forgot to do art class, so it will be done on 10/7
Continue with Amphibians unit study


Dont forget you can get free themed unit studies, at http://www.schoolexpress.com/