Food stamps and Health Care Benefits are not stimulative

[Perky]

They are absolutely necessary. But so is jobe creation and ifrastructure projects and even the middle class taz cuts.

I honestly think that both would pass if they were broke apart and that regardeless of the merit, there is too much stuff loaded into this bill that is dragging down its ability for quick package....I haven problem cutting some of the stuff out of the bill if it is next up in the House as a distinct bill. VOting against the bennies would be suicidal for the GOP in this environment, particularly if they vote lockstep in the HOuse or fillibuster in the Senate.

Let em try and then pay them back with no vote on extending the Bush tax cuts. Let em try.

[crimsonblue]

1. You're wrong.

Food stamps are unemployment benefits ARE stimulative, and are among the MOST stimulative. They are distributed quickly and efficiently, plus the money paid out spreads through the system easily and in a very timely manner.

[Mass]

2. Well said, In fact they are the most immediate stimulative measures possible.

[Blaze Diem]

4. I agree. Ever seen the Grocery store sale flyers on Food Stamp Day?

They seem to know just how much you're getting and what size family you're feeding.
It is indeed stimulus.
A blessing for those who get them, also.

[backscatter712]

3. Food stamps absolutely ARE stimulative.

Where do you think that money for food stamps goes? To grocery stores, who pay their workers, and buy their stocks from food distributors and food producers. That money actually circulates around the economy quite a bit, and does quite a bit to stimulate the economy.

I'm not sure about health care benefits - there's nothing on that economy.com chart to say how far health care dollars go, but I'll bet they also go pretty far - paying doctors and nurses and other health care workers and pharmcos and medical equipment manufacturers and so on...

[nc4bo]

5. Thank you. Geezus, people must eat ffs! FS are a no brainer. nt

[prolesunited]

8. That's an excellent graph

That should be posted everywhere.

On edit: That shows why the GOP is so pissed off because it goes directly to the people.

[cottonseed]

6. Actually it's a great way to inject cash Directly into the economy.

It's needed and it will and must be spent. It percolates up through the whole system.

In this central banking system of ours... the trickle down, honestly there are very few ways to get money directly to the people who need it. This is one of them.

[prolesunited]

7. I don't agree.

You will see more job cuts in both sectors if this does not remain in the bill.

Without food stamps, fewer people will be buying groceries and that will echo all the way down the food chain, from stores to producers. As someone mentioned, just look at the grocery stores when people get their new allotments.

As for health care, a recent study showed most people couldn't afford to keep COBRA when they lose their jobs. Insurance companies will have to cut jobs as there will be less paperwork to process and hospitals will have to cut staff as people postpone all but the most pressing care.

[WinkyDink]

9. Because grocery stores don't need customers, workers, suppliers? WTH?

[Hellataz]

10. I disagree, they are stimulus, you're just not looking at the big picture.

Just like so many in the GOP, they don't get how converting to Green stimulates the economy either. They see pet projects, while we see new jobs created and a reductions on our dependence on foreign oil which helps our economy grow.

But on a more local front, food stamp and health care aid stimulates the economy because every dollar that isn't spent on food and health care can then be spent and put back in the systems, that money poured into groceries and medical bills can now be diverted to paying heating bills and mortgages. It's all connected.

[CitizenPatriot]

12. and econimic gurus from both parties happen to agree with US nt

[Jakes Progress]

11. They create stimulus where it matters.

Bottom up.

[CTyankee]

13. "People eat every day" was what Keynes said when he was told that the markets

will come back in the future.

How many years ago was that?

Geez, still having that same argument, aren't we? Will we never learn?