Are We A Nation Of Dodos?

CNN has just released a poll which shows that nearly 3 out of 4 people (21% most, 24% nearly all, 29% nearly half) believe that nearly half or more of the stimulus money has been wasted. 63 percent of the public thinks that projects in the plan were included for purely political reasons and will have no economic benefit.

Joe Klein at Time Magazine has commented about this poll. He points out two important facts:

1. The largest single item in the package--$288 billion--is tax relief for 95% of the American public.
2. The next highest amount is $275 billion in grants and loans to states. This is why your child's teacher wasn't laid off...and why the fire station has remained open, and why you're not paying even higher state and local taxes to close the local budget hole.

That's right. The two largest items, totaling $563 billion, or about 72% of the total stimulus package was for tax cuts and for money to the states so that they would not have to raise your taxes or cut your services.

Where was the "party of tax cuts" on this legislation? Well, no republicans voted for it in the House and only 3 voted for it in the Senate. So, what does this mean? When the republicans talk about tax cuts, they really mean tax cuts for the rich. When it comes to tax cuts for 95% of Americans, the hard working Americans who go to work every day, they are absent.

Look at their actions, not their words.

Joe Klein ends his article with the following statement:
"It is very difficult to have a democracy without citizens. It is impossible to be a citizen if you don't make an effort to understand the most basic activities of your government. It is very difficult to thrive in an increasingly competitive world if you're a nation of dodos."

Are we a nation of dodos?