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Incredible Shrinking Stimulus Needs Part II

Local government cuts are canceling out federal package

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 3, 2009 3:32 AM CST

(Newser) – The American economy badly needs a second stimulus package, but the false belief that the government has already stimulated the economy to the tune of $787 billion is standing in the way, writes Harold Meyerson. When deferred spending and the effect of state and local government cuts are taken into account, the real figure is more like an insufficient $341 billion, Meyerson writes in the Washington Post.

America's stimulus package works out at a much lower share of GDP than other developed nations because local governments elsewhere are funded nationally. In the US, however, many localities have been forced to adopt growth-stifling measures like tax and job cuts, effectively draining away the intended benefits of the federal stimulus package. "We need a big second stimulus," Meyerson concludes, since our system" doesn't let us plug the leaks"

A furlough sign is posted outside a professor's door at the California State University East Bay in Hayward, Calif.
A furlough sign is posted outside a professor's door at the California State University East Bay in Hayward, Calif.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
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In an American recession, the federal government is the tap and the state and local governments are the drain. That's no way to fill a tub, and no way to fight a recession. - Harold Meyerson

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
ilguy
Dec 3, 2009 11:49 AM CST
Sure, the first stimulus didn't work, so why not waste more money on a second stimulus?
USAHomeofthebrave
Dec 3, 2009 11:44 AM CST
All the stimulus did was fund mostly liberal pork projects.
tomodachi
Dec 3, 2009 11:02 AM CST
Only a morose person would refer to Obama as "our lord and saviour." It's the angry-ugly that do so. Why are you still embracing the lost election? That was over a year ago... get over it.

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