Public Confidence In Stimulus Package's Effectiveness Ebbs, Poll Finds

Washington Post:

Barely half of Americans are now confident that President Obama's $787 billion stimulus measure will boost the economy, and the rapid rise in optimism about the state of the nation that followed the 2008 election has abated, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[Harrier]

There are no measures to if the stimulus is working. New laws are not being implemented to regulate this and prevent this from not happening again. Government has to grow, wealth needs to be redistributed back to the middle class. And the tax code needs to change to reward keeping working. CEO salaries need to be base on the average worker salary in their company.

[loki]

Im sure if you poll the capitalist , no government intervention, let the market rule people, the same ones who had their hands out and stuff their pockets with tax payer money and are getting very wealthy with taxpayer money... They will say the bailout stimulus is doing just swell. After all, its what they were taught to do in their IVy Greed schools, They feel they are better than the rest of us, and they deserve all our money. We are here, to make them wealthy.

[rblaquinta]

787 billion suppose to turn around this nightmare in let's see it was actually passed little over three months....give me a break....!!!!!!

[nomorefed]

v1st 100 days - There are 2.9 million more people unemployed in May than there were unemployed in January. The unemployment rate went from 7.6% to 9.4%.
Since May 2008, we have lost 5.5 million jobs. The biggest losers were:
Manufacturing 1.5 million lost
Finance & Prof Serv 1.5 million lost
Construction 1.1 million lost
Retail & Leisure 1.3 million lost

hat tip to href=".http://www.iamned.com"> for providing good finance and economics articles

where is the change? where is hope? why cant ppl find jobs?

[PhilipTaylor]

Bush&Company really Messed America UP!

$306 to Wall Street for every $1 to Main Street!

Stop the EL1TE Oligarchy with Campaign Funding Reform and Audit the FED!

FED DEBT Generation = Transition from # 1 Creditor Nation to # 1 Debtor Nation!

[Roland Adams]

It looks like the Rethugs may finally see a weak spot, but it will take at least three days before they can organize and actually all chime the same mantra against Obama. Most of the money has not been spent yet. It looks like we have stopped the acceleration of the downturn and maybe even small signs of turning it back. I guess the Rethugs wouldn't be happy until we reach 40 percent unemployment!!

[k6007]

They're hoping for it.

[kepary]

its NOT working

[3rdpartypatriot]

Well, if it hasn't done anything yet... is it too late to stop from spending the rest of it in 2010 and 2011? I mean, according to some indicators (except employment) we may be reaching a flatline where we won't decline further and maybe recover a step from our fall. How about that money is used for healthcare instead of stimulus that isn't really helping?

[Marie62866]

Americans are all immature children and want immediate gratification, no patience! Bush tanked the economy and we still have 2 wars and you all expect Obama to clean it up in 5 months! You all deserve what you get!

[confidance government]

"You all deserve what you get!"

From a collectivist point of view, definitely.

However, I don't see how ceasing to criticize policies that were ill-conceived will help the situation.

[KillTheMessenger]

The stimulus package is not ill-conceived but merely a late deposit on work that has been put off for eight years because we had "more important" things to do... like blowing up the federal budget on Iraq.

[babo74]

5 months? I seem to remember "Change you can believe in" to be promised in way less than 5 months (we have to pass the stimulus or the American Economy will tank even further, unemployment will continue to rise). "You all deserve what you get!" What the he\ does that mean? Are you Canadian? I suppose in 6 months, when unemployment in this country is 10 or 12%, YOU will continue to do NOTHING but blame W while this administration continues to try and explain why the stimulus is not producing its promised effects.

[KillTheMessenger]

Yawn. Boy George did more harm to this country than you will ever be able to admit without blushing to a crimson red.

[MaidinMossyCreek]

Plenty of government jobs are being created.

And lots of Czars.

[Marie62866]

I know and my husband just got one!

[babaann]

I don't believe that people realize that things were headed toward being MUCH worse. So many of our jobs were largely based upon people buying (so much) stuff with borrowed money (credit cards and such).

In a "pay as you go" economy, recovery is going to be S-L-O-W.

[glockman]

Let me know when we become a pay as you go economy.

[drbillybob]

Q: What's the difference between Obama and a drunken sailor?

A: A drunken sailor spends his own money.

[swan1]

billybob, if only your mom and dad weren't 1st cousins, you would have a better chance to be normal.

[confidance government]

"Q: What's the difference between politicians and a drunken sailor?

A: A drunken sailor spends his own money" Fixed

But they should install a breathalyzer in the Senate and House of Represenatatives to be used prior to voting on any legislation.

I can't believe that I have to piss into a cup, and these guys aren't forced to undergo the same degrading experience.

[Marie62866]

But what Bush did was OK, atleast Obama is investing in this countries future! You repugs kill me, Bush spent 8 years and left us with a tanked economy, 2 wars! The worst part about Bush is he was giving a surplus, he lowered taxes and it did nothing for us! I love how repucklicans love to change history!

[MJJM]

Please remember that you all are reacting to a Poll. When people get polled, they are giving answers based on what they hear and read.

The Obama admin have not been communicating the effects of the stimulus bill effectively.

No one knows for sure in a easy way what the stimulus bill was about.

The bill was not the correct way to stimulate the economy. Most people in construction jobs are the only ones getting jobs. What about all other people who are getting laid off.

[confidance government]

"The Obama admin have not been communicating the effects of the stimulus bill effectively."

So a better PR campaign is needed?

"No one knows for sure in a easy way what the stimulus bill was about."

It was based on the concept that government spending could "stimulate" economy via the concept of the Kenysian multiplier. It also was an attempt to kill 2 birds with 1 stone by upgrading some of the nations aging infrastructure.

The downside is the deficit spending that has been going on since the 80's, our creditors are starting to get nervous, and no one wants to make the tough choices to raise taxes, or reduce other spending.

[MJJM]

The Obama administration is not doing that good of a job explaining themselves. There spokespeople have not been communicating effectively.

Also, cable news is all about ratings and they will make any opposition news, no matter how untrue, bigger than what it is.

[daffey]

I feel like Obama has been president for three years. How could our confidence go one way or another at this point? Has the man finished unpacking yet? There is a reason for this level of expectation. After all, during his campaign, you had reporters and anchors going gaga over everything Obama - his speeches were the greatest in history, he was the greatest in history, he was the embodiment of the best characteristics of every good president in history, he would still the waters and calm the storms, adoring fans fainted and swooned when he appeared as if he were Frank Sinatra, Elvis, or the Beatles (all of which were far less wonderful than Obama), and when he went around the world, we were assured that the masses were lifting him up as the True One, the one around whom time will forever be measured. Some of this still continues, with updates on the Obamas’ latest luncheon choice, his girls’ newest shoes, and ensuring that Abraham Lincoln also swatted a fly - yet another link to greatness! So it isn’t surprising that people are impatient with the fact that this greatest of all human beings has failed to right the wrongs, eliminate hunger, bring peace, and align the planets. Yet if we can just ignore the cult of personality that has swept the MSM, and actually think about it, he’s just been in office a matter of months. For better or worse, give the policies a chance before you

[drbillybob]

I've got a great idea ... why not give every American a brand new Cadillac? Just think of the stimulus ...

[rabiddog6708]

Better yet....just give us money instead of the car. Americans love to spend money and this would help the economy. All those billions wasted on GM and Chrysler and they ended up in bankrupcy anyway. All those billions given to banks, who are giving the finger to Main Street as they fight regulation and actually helping homeowners stave off foreclosure.

[Marie62866]

And George Bush started it all and left Obama with no other choice!