Stimu-Rama! (TM)

Woo!!!  Let's cut us some taxes and target some temporary spending in a timely way, yo!  D.C. has gone Stimu-wild (TM) with need to head off the coming recession.   For extra fun, don't miss reading the NYT story about the willingness of the Dems to work with the White House.  With bi-partisanship like this, who needs Obama?  Seriously.  Why do we need Obama?   

For a more measured view of the economy, read the Center for Budget Policy and Priorities analysis, which includes the warning that the case for Congressional/Presidential Stimu-action (TM) is not a foregone conclusion.  They also offer this handy Stimu-chart (TM) to help you see what the various  Stimu-options (TM) buy you.   Guess which ones the GOP is pushing?   Read the NYT article linked above prove yourself right.  I really can't wait to see how this turns out.

	Demand generated per $1 of cost
High “Bang for the Buck”
Extend unemployment benefits	$1.73
Provide state fiscal relief	$1.24
Enact one-time tax cut targeted to low-income households	$1.19
Increase Child Tax Credit	$1.04
Lower “Bang for the Buck”
Adjust Alternative Minimum Tax exemption levels	$0.67
Reduce marginal tax rates	$0.59
Increase tax breaks for small business investment	$0.24
Cut taxes on dividends and capital gains	$0.09
Reduce estate tax	$0.00

Source: Mark M. Zandi, “Assessing President Bush’s Fiscal Policies,” Economy.com, July 2004.