In preparation for President Obama’s visit today to Seattle, Washington to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka the “stimulus”) and Washington’s plan for the road ahead, below are some facts to consider:
Washington’s share of the $862-billion “stimulus” bill received: $2,686,849,584
This is 3.1% of the $85.7 billion that has been received by states. (Last updated: 8/10/2010)
Washington’s share of the population = 2.1%
Washington’s unemployment rate was 8.1% when the “stimulus” was enacted in February 2009; today it is 8.9%.
Washington’s 8.9% unemployment rate is lower than the national average of 9.5%.
Washington lost 68,600 jobs between February 2009 when the “stimulus” was enacted and June 2010.
For FY2011, Washington is on track to overspend by $2.1 billion. (Last updated: 7/15/2010)
Washington’s number of foreclosed homes was 3,076 when the “stimulus” was enacted; that number has since grown to 5,072.
Example of “stimulus” spending:
A highway beautified by fish art in Washington was financed with $10,000 in stimulus funds. 12 silvery Chinook salmon decorated a landscaping median on Canal Drive in Washington. I’m sure the salmon fish art is beautiful, but spending $10,000 for metal fish smells a little fishy.
To say this is outrageous would be redundant. We don’t need to blow ourselves up with nuclear weapons — we can just as easily do it by devaluing the dollar and have the Chinese control our country. Check the foreign deficit facts. We’re almost there, folks.