As I always say, if you want the truth from the NY Times, check the Saturday edition. The editors all slip out for an early Martini, leaving time for those who believe in journalism to write and post their stories. Witness
The best symbol of the $787 billion federal stimulus program turns out not to be a construction worker in a hard hat, but rather a classroom teacher saved from a layoff.
On Friday, the Obama administration released the most detailed information yet on the jobs created by the stimulus. Of the 640,239 jobs recipients claimed to have created or saved so far, officials said, more than half — 325,000 — were in education. Most were teachers’ jobs that states said were saved when stimulus money averted a need for layoffs.
Although the stimulus was initially sold in large part as a public works program, only about 80,000 of the jobs that were claimed Friday were in construction.
So, in essence, the Generational Theft Act simply mortgaged the future of our children and grandchildren to transfer money to the States to keep government employees from losing their jobs, while mostly ignoring the private sector. The people in the private sector who lost their jobs are still pretty much jobless, and will remain so. The Porkulus will be no help.
Hard hats could surpass teachers next year, as more construction projects get under way. In Florida, for instance, one of the biggest infrastructure projects is its plan to build the Indian Street Bridge in Martin County. But with a big, complex project like that, it takes a while before construction can start. That project, which will cost more than $72 million, claims to have saved or created just one job so far.
Yet, all these projects will be temporary, and, while the construction industry has certainly lost quite a few jobs, how many people will have the proper knowledge to build a bridge, since most of the jobs lost in the construction industry are in the housing sector?
Retail and transportation have taken huge hits. So has the service industry. Manufacturing has taken the largest hit among all sectors. And these areas are mostly being ignored. And will continue to be ignored. But, at least they can make snow ($6 million) in the 15th snowiest city in the country.
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU
Most were teachers’ jobs that states said were saved when stimulus money averted a need for layoffs.
Temporary!
I’ve seen the Fairfax County Public Schools’ budget proposals for the next fiscal year.
I wouldn’t be surprise. And, what happens when the states do not have the cash for next year?