The federal economic stimulus was an incredibly controversial topic here on “For the People” for a number of weeks. And likewise, much of the nation reflected a similar divide during the initial days of its conception, with both sides convinced either way.
The truth about the stimulus is that we really won’t know whether it “worked” or not for at least a few more years; many of its provisions are designed to go into effect in the future, anyway.
Nevertheless, a substantial amount of federal money has already found its way to state and local governments across the nation, and Utah is no exception.
The question will inevitably arise, are these funds truly stimulating the economy? Or are they wasteful?
This article in the Salt Lake Tribune does well to probe that discussion:
Utah’s transit cops have a new mode of travel, thanks to the federal stimulus program.
Officers patrolling downtown Salt Lake City TRAX platforms and FrontRunner commuter-rail parking lots now are whizzing around on Segway electric scooters. The agency spent $7,900 apiece for six of the two-wheeled, upright gadgets, with all of the money coming through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The Federal Transit Administration‘s rules for disbursing the money required that part of it go to security, UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said, and the Utah agency spent its share on the Segways.
“It’s a very quick and easy way for officers to move around downtown and also patrol the parking lots and FrontRunner,” Carpenter said.
But it’s further evidence of frivolous government waste to critics of the $787 billion stimulus spending.
“Sounds like they got some fun toys,” said state Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland. “Wouldn’t bicycles be more effective? If they’re talking downtown Salt Lake, bikes would be healthier and more cost-effective.”
Not that Dougall would support federal dollars for bikes, which UTA cops already had before the stimulus grant.
“The whole concept, that somehow D.C. is going to ride in and stimulate things, is just ludicrous,” he said. “They overtax and pile up debt for our kids and grandkids.”
The Davis County Sheriff’s Office drew fire earlier for buying a $24,000 Harley-Davidson with
Officers not using Segways sometimes enter trains for random fare checks, but more often they drive between them responding to calls.
What do you think, stimulus or waste?
- Marc
The “stimulous” is a waste and a hold-back, destroying free market principles. We must denounce the wide variety of politically popular lies and hysteria, the only way out of this mess. We can support prolonging it or return to the roots of our forefathers who did not worship govt as Savior, as the leftist religious cult of today does.