Is the Stimulus Package Just Politics as Usual?

The problem with the political machine that drives the U.S. is that it is so entrenched it its ways that it is almost impossible to change at this point. Even in the face of what is being considered the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression - and a crisis that currently has no end in sight - politics as usual rules the day in Washington, D.C. Yes, there is a stimulus package that has passed both houses of Congress to the tune of nearly $800 Billion. But after weeks of frantic campaigning and finger-pointing as to why the bill needed to be passed, now, now, now, we are finally ready to turn this thing around, right? Not really.

As it became clear that the stimulus package was going to make it through Congress, the rhetoric quickly changed to explain that no changes will occur quickly and that things will likely still get worse before they get better, etc. Basically, all of the same political-speak that happens when politicians need to explain to their constituents that they just spent alot of their money -- and they likely won't get any tangible returns on their investment for a long time, if ever.

From a political perspective, situations like the current economic crisis are golden opportunities to rapidly push agendas and special interest initiatives. The economy is in the tank so "we must act swiftly and drastically," they say. If the economy starts to to turn around, great. Our political leaders helped orchestrate the recovery with their stimulus package. But if things continue to get worse, well, we just need to "do more to help the economy". That translates to, "keep bleeding the American taxpayers to the point where they simply have no more to give and government waste and inefficiency has finally conspired to bring our entire way of life to a government-controlled standstill." In either instance, the politicians will be just fine.