In his article "Trade-Offs in the Stimulus Package" featured on CQPolitics.com, Madison Powers writes about the balance that is trying to be found within the new stimulus package. The first balance is between efficiency and equity, efficiency being defined as "bang per bug" in terms of economic activity, and equity as long-term stability and growth. I believe that while we obviously need to do something *now*, we shouldn't be so hasty as to neglect the long-term while trying to fix things right this instant. We need more speed and less haste when dealing with this problem.
The second issue discussed is the balance between large infrastructure projects and other smaller projects. Some view infrastructure as the only viable way to invest stimulus money because of its efficiency. While infrastructure should be a part of any stimulus package, it is very apparent the view that we should stick to the old way of thinking about economic recovery is narrowminded and out of date. Sticking to the old ways is one of the reasons we got here in the first place, following Reagan's ideas of deregulation and market selfmanagment. Powers suggests that spending smaller amounts of money on smaller more numerous projects could have a greater overall impact on our economy's recovery. Investing in state budgets keeps local jobs intact and helps the people at the bottom of the ladder by saving unemployment and food stamps.
While this may not be the answer we need, as if one answer could solve such a complicated problem, it is a step towards changing the way we think about the economy. New ideas are what will save our economy in the short and long term.
