The waste in this bailout

Here\'s a list from CNN of the Republican gripes with the bailout bill. Keeping the economy in mind and job creation, I\'ve also wrote in the one\'s that I\'m (OK) with (think should stay in the bill), personally.
 

On Monday, Congressional Republican leaders put out a list of what they call wasteful provisions in the Senate version of the nearly $900 billion stimulus bill that is being debated:
The Senate is currently debating the nearly $900 billion economic stimulus bill.
 
• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient. (OK)
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). (OK)
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. (OK)
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. (OK)
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees. (OK)
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD\'s.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs. (OK)
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system. (OK)
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities. (OK)
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities." (?)
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges. (OK)
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. (OK)
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas. (OK)
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings. (OK)
• $500 million for state and local fire stations. (OK)
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs. (OK)
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service. (OK)
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property. (?)
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. (OK)
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service. (OK)
• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration. (OK)
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems. (OK)
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations. (OK)

near zero emission coal powered plants is like GT5...promised, but not delivered
money for hollywood? fuck them
I can see the converter box thing...
If you have ever lived in Alaska, you know how important this is.
Not needed
definitely not needed
a good idea..but....
always a good idea
again, always a good idea
They are going to spend money to fire our politicians?
can do without
Census creates ALOT of jobs
what ever it is, sounds retarded.
good idea..education that is..just block myspace and porno sites
they make decent money as it is
no, thanks...they can do that with all the casino money and the $3k a month they give just b/c of being a tribal member.
good idea, if in Iowa
ok..i guess
thats alot of money to go green, how long will it take to offset the costs of renovation?
great idea
great idea
summer job program yes....otherwise no
no need..to renovate, should focus on service
if that means renovations...no
provide better service, not a nice looking service
no
uhm, that just sounds like money ready to steal
fuck amtrak..slower than a plane for the same perks
who uses lead based paint these days? isnt it illegal anyway?
nosounds good, but is that amount necessary?
should that not be included in the other initiative f or federal employees?

I have no opinion on the motion picture tax incentives, even though they would benefit my local economy in Los Angeles.
 
The Senate has already been removed this from the bill.
 
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-movies4-2009feb04,0,2869673.story

[clips]

A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD\'s.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.

• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.


^^^I would get rid of these....no need to have these at all.

You\'d get rid of the extra money for the converter boxes?

[clips]

Whoops...i had to fix that...

You\'d get rid of the extra money for the converter boxes?

I would, anyone who missed the ball at this point should be SOL in my opinion. It\'s cheap enough to save up for on your own... I don\'t think handing those people $650 million in coupons for their converters will help the economy.

If they want tv after the switch, they\'ll find the cash to spend on their own, so I don\'t think we need to pay any more for that.

*Shakes head*

They didn\'t "miss the ball" as you so incorrectly stated, there was only so much to go around.  Why should only the first comers get the discount?  Especially considering this change isn\'t even needed.

[Jumpman]

I\'ll show you a waste.

*Shakes head*
 
They didn\'t "miss the ball" as you so incorrectly stated, there was only so much to go around. Why should only the first comers get the discount? Especially considering this change isn\'t even needed.

TV isn\'t a necessity, I just don\'t see the problem in people paying for the inexpensive upgrade. But it\'s not up to me whether this money goes through, so don\'t worry about how I feel, heh.

[GmanJoe]

I hate cats. And Obama was throwing it at a black man begging for change. He got his change.

[Titan]

TV isn\'t a necessity, I just don\'t see the problem in people paying for the inexpensive upgrade. But it\'s not up to me whether this money goes through, so don\'t worry about how I feel, heh.

It is a necessity though. In my TV classes, we learned that broadcast stations are expected to provide public services. Broadcast stations send vital emergency information over the airwaves. People also get their news from it. They are also required to broadcast a certain amount of educational programs and childrens programs.

Having 150 channels, I\'ll agree can be a waste and unnecessary. But there are many many people who rely on TV for vital communication about what\'s going on around them. If an emergency arises and instructions on what to do are being broadcast over the airwaves, it will be hard for those who can\'t get the transmissions because they didn\'t get the digital converter boxes.

It is a necessity though. In my TV classes, we learned that broadcast stations are expected to provide public services. Broadcast stations send vital emergency information over the airwaves. People also get their news from it. They are also required to broadcast a certain amount of educational programs and childrens programs.

Having 150 channels, I\'ll agree can be a waste and unnecessary. But there are many many people who rely on TV for vital communication about what\'s going on around them. If an emergency arises and instructions on what to do are being broadcast over the airwaves, it will be hard for those who can\'t get the transmissions because they didn\'t get the digital converter boxes.

We can\'t use radio for this, why?  All emergencies are broadcasted on both, doesn\'t make sense why TV is the required one. While I agree making stations provide public services is a great thing, it certainly isn\'t a necessity. Just seems silly they are using my money to provide an entertainment service.  Which, at the end of the day, is what this is, and its not like its stimulating the economy in any way.

[Titan]

We can\'t use radio for this, why?  All emergencies are broadcasted on both, doesn\'t make sense why TV is the required one. While I agree making stations provide public services is a great thing, it certainly isn\'t a necessity. Just seems silly they are using my money to provide an entertainment service.  Which, at the end of the day, is what this is, and its not like its stimulating the economy in any way.

But people don\'t use radio like they use TV and forcing them to switch back to radio is easier said than done. People would rather look at something than listen. Also, you can make the same argument that radio is entertainment too. People listen to music, listen to talk radio hosts, etc.

Right, but people don\'t have to sink more money into a radio in order for it to work.  All I\'m saying is that TV is not a necessity, and it never will be.  There are other viable options for people to get their emergency information.  I\'m sorry, but i\'m not paying so some hick can watch the Office.  When they hear the emergency horns go off, its just as easy for them to flip a radio on.

On a side note, I\'m curious to see how many people got these converter boxes and didn\'t actually need them but were too stupid to know it.