Are You Stimulated Yet?

by Peggy Hubble, VOLLMER Austin

An e-mail came in from a colleague at VOLLMER who puts together our monthly e-newsletter:

April 2009 Vollocity assignment – Tax stimulus… is it a good thing… public advocacy. April 15 is tax day. Where are the dollars going? "Why I Love Tax Day."

Hmmmmm. As one who enjoys writing, who has an opinion on almost everything, and who has been involved with public affairs clients and public advocacy issues for VOLLMER and throughout much of my career, I can usually pound out an article with relative ease.

This one stumped me. I did some additional research and reading – the New York Times, NPR, local newspapers, blogs, blogs and more blogs. Dinners with friends to "relax" turned into frustrating conversations about how the current economic crisis has affected us, our friends, our families, our neighbors.

My level of angst about the entire economic situation continued to rise as I kept procrastinating.

Let me backup a moment.

During the election, I certainly believed it was time for change. I heard Barack Obama speak at the Texas Book Festival in 2006, just as he was hinting at running for President. I was more inspired than I had been in a very long time. Like many of us, I believed we were NOT "better off today" than we were eight years ago. Eight years ago, we were not at war, we were not in debt, we were not in a recession, we did not have a housing crisis, and we were not on the verge of economic collapse.

On inauguration day, I was glued to the television. I shared the overwhelming feeling of hope, enthusiasm, and energy that the crowd of almost two million people on the National Mall exuded. I thought back to my first job out of college as a researcher and writer in Washington, DC at the Commission on Civil Rights. Other than my vote, did I play some small part in this moment? Can it really be? Can he really do it? Can he move our society from one that has been dominated in large part by "greed" to one of honesty and concern for our fellow "man"? Can he get our country and its people back on track?

The stimulus package.

Back to the stimulus package, named the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009." And back to my angst. If the best and brightest minds in the country can’t agree on what the solutions are, what can I add to the dialogue that hasn’t already been dissected and debated?

I decided to see what some friends and colleagues had to say. I sent out an "informal" e-mail questionnaire to a few dozen people (thanks to those who took the time to respond.)

My "findings" – have been about as diverse as you might expect.

• Most of those who responded I think represent most Americans, who believe something has to be done. As do I. There seems to be a consensus that we must find financial solutions for education, transportation, job creation, health insurance, sustainable energy, and many of the other needs addressed in the package.
• Many are "hopeful" and "optimistic." As am I. One person noted the new stimulus package "is not without its flaws, but is the best attempt at fixing this mess that is coming down the pike," while another said it will "provide many Americans some much-needed economic relief."
• Some are ambivalent. As am I, about parts of it. One young man replied that the new stimulus package is… "less than stimulating." Another respondent stated, "It’s not likely to impact our economy to the great extent anticipated by the general public." One expressed my sentiments exactly, noting that the new stimulus package is "hurting my head."
• Many are indeed angry, describing the plan as:
  "...a dressed up spending bill that will not transform the issues that are the root of this crisis."
  "…bailouts which will delay improvements in our nation’s economic balance."
  "…mirroring the societal trend of spending recklessly and hastily…without first cutting waste and ineffectiveness."
  "…a ridiculous amount of money that I believe those who voted for didn’t read or understand."

Many people are angry that they have been responsible about their finances, their home purchases, their taxes. Now they are being forced to contribute – to "bail out" – those who have not been. They didn’t sign up for this "new socialism."

Others believe that it will "take a village" and are willing to do whatever it takes..

The current situation has given whole new meaning to "the trickle down theory." Hundreds of thousands of hard working people have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. (Time magazine says our job is currently our most valuable asset.) Who hasn’t’ seen their retirement investment funds take a nose dive – 35%, 50%, and 100% for those who trusted the likes of Bernie Madoff? Why do we have to watch our homes lose considerable value because of the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street and the real estate brokers who knowingly made loans that people could not repay in the long run?

I wish I had some answers – some words of wisdom – about where we are and where we’re going.

What I do know is that I have decided to join the optimists. It is in difficult times that we see the best come out in people. Families spending more time together. People having friends over to their homes for pot luck dinners to avoid the cost of eating out. Even celebrities are spreading the good vibe. I just read an article - "Michigan’s high unemployment is no laughing matter, but Jay Leno will offer a little comic relief with a free show next month in Detroit for anybody out of work in Detroit."

As for tax day? Almost everyone agrees about that. As one friend said, "I love tax day because I can feel resolved of the IRS for one more year."

As do I.

So. Are you stimulated yet? Please comment below. We'd like to know what YOU think.