[Volokh] David Kopel: Left/Right bloggers both worried that stimulus will go to undeserving:

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Posted by David Kopel:
Left/Right bloggers both worried that stimulus will go to undeserving:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_02_22-2009_02_28.shtml#1235756661


   In this week's National Journal [1]poll of leading political bloggers,
   76% of Left-leaning bloggers and 100% on the Right are either
   "somewhat concerned" or "very concerned" that federal stimulus money
   will go to people who don't deserve it. I was among the very
   concerned: "Taking money from responsible and prudent homebuyers and
   renters and giving the money to reckless borrowers and lenders will
   promote more irresponsible borrowing and lending in the long run."
   On the question of whether another stimulus will be necessary later
   this year, 88% ofthe Left and 40% of the Right thought so. I thought
   not: "Since the first package was not 'necessary' but will likely be
   inflationary and economically harmful, it is unlikely that a second
   round of even more debt could be necessary."
   Earlier this week, National Journal published an [2]annotated version
   of the President's State of the Union speech. Various portions of the
   text are marked to show where they relate to a campaign promise, mark
   a break with the Bush administration, etc. There is also highlighting
   for the reaction of pundits, bloggers, and experts to particular items
   in the text. I comment on the line: "And we will expand our commitment
   to charter schools." My view: "Constitutionally, Congress and the
   president have no business trying to manage local public schools. But
   as long as the federal government is involved, promoting charter
   schools is an excellent way to improve public education. More
   diversity, more choice, more accountability. A win-win-win."

References

   1. file://localhost/var/www/powerblogs/volokh/posts/1235756661.html
   2. http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/no_20090225_1445.php