Can we spend our way out of this recession?

People all across America are arguing about what steps need to be taken to solve our economic crisis. President Obama has taken a very unique approach to fix our economic problems, and that is to spend his way out of this recession. Many people are wondering why in the world we are spending ridiculous sums of money when our economy is going down the drain. If a family is having monetary troubles, shouldn't they be saving rather than spending? Shouldn't a country with monetary problems be saving rather than spending? This question could be debated by radicals on each side without ever coming to a conclusion of what the best way is to get out of the recession that we are currently in. It is clear where President Obama and his economic advisers stand on this issue. While many ask where the money is going to come from and what this will mean for future generations, President Obama has stressed the importance of acting now and acting fast. Aside from spending money to do things like create jobs and get our educational system back on track, and making long term investments in energy, what else do you propose be done about America's current economic crisis? It is easy to find blame, but hard to find solutions. Below is a summary of what/where President Obama is spending America's stimulus dollars.

The stimulus plan that is currently underway in the United States divides $789.2 billion dollars between spending (24%), aid (38%), and tax cuts (38%). Spending will go to modernizing our electric grid, energy efficiency, road and bridge construction/modernization, grants/loans for water infrastructure and food prevention, equipping schools with 21st century classrooms/labs/libraries, etc. Aid will come in the form of helping local school districts balance their educational budgets, temporary increase in federal funding for Medicaid to states, increases in student aid, extra grants for colleges work-study programs, extending jobless benefits, etc. And finally tax cuts will come in the form of helping workers who earn less than $75,000/year (married couples $150,000) get payroll tax credits, increasing tax credits to first time homeowners buying between April 2008 and June 2009, etc. (Wall Street Journal Friday, February 13 2009)

The launch heard around the world

As if President Obama didn't have enough on his plate already, Kim Jong-il gave the President, along with the rest of the world, a larger plate to deal with. At 4:30 this morning North Korea launched a rocket in their attempt to thrust a satellite into outer space. According to Washington officials, the rocket failed to go into orbit but flew at least 2,000 miles. This is double the range of a rocket they tested in 1998, which raises fear across the world of a long-range missile attack. Although their rocket failed to reach space, the North Korean media was praising Kim Jong-il's actions and insisted that the satellite was not only successfully circling the Earth, but broadcasting North korean patriotic songs as well.

While the United Nations is not yet sure what actions they will take, President Obama has firmly condemned North Korea for their missile launch, calling it a "provocative act." China and Russia on the other hand are not yet convinced that North Korea has done anything wrong, but are still studying the matter.

What it comes down to, even if you believe that North Korea should have the right to pursue their nuclear and space program development, is that Kim Jong-il is depriving his citizens of a good life by actions such as these which will only further ruin any hope they have left at restoring a relationship with the western world. China remains one of the only countries that continues to import food, oil, and other aid to the ailing country. If Kim Jong-il wants to see his country prosper he needs to stop launching rockets such as the ones he launched today, and join the civilized world in their pursuit of a peace.