GOP List Waste, Some Is and Some Isn't

[Still Sensible]

(CNN) -- On Monday, House 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:

(snip)

I agree, these shouldn't be in the Recovery Act:

• 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 "smoking cessation activities."
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.

Most of these will not create jobs or are simply unnecessary. Is DHS not already functioning in its current facilities?

On the other hand, I believe the following items the GOP is objecting to will create jobs and should be in the package:

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.

Many of the line items are arguable and IMO just give the GOP valid talking points. The administration should stand up and fight for the ones that are defensible, get rid of the ones that aren't (come back and pass some of these pet projects individually later), and get a solid Recovery Act passed quickly.

edited to add link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/02/gop.stimulus.worries/index.html

[Beavker]

1. I agree

Many of these are their own little projects that should be dealt with individually, not as something that is "necessary" to stimulate the economy. Would they? Maybe. People would have to be put to work to build or implement all these things. But you sort of just have to step back and say, "does this sound like it's Pork"? Is it really necessary right now? Seems that question doesn't get asked anymore. Also, who is trying to ram that through? Who earmark is that for? I believe that when they establish the website showing the exact money and exact places it's being spend, I'd hope it would also put the name of the person who asked for this. Track the money, track the person requested it. We need to see it all. Updates as to jobs it created, etc.