In the article Trade-Offs in the Stimulus Package by Madison Powers seen in CQ Politics, Powers discusses the factors of the stimulus package. He tells that there are competing sides that we have to choose between. The first of these is fairness and efficiency. With the economy in the downward slope that it is currently in, we want to get the best possible economic outcome from government spending. The problem with this is that many Americans wouldn't be able to handle a dramatic change in the economy. The government has to decide if they want to invest in a fast recovery to the economy that many people could not withstand, or a gradual change that we are unsure how long it will take. The second trade-off that Powers talks about is between infrastructures and economic activities. Many Republicans think that we should continue to build to help stimulate the economy. While Democrats often argue that we need more long term policies that will have a lasting social impact.
Personally I think we need a mixture of all of these things. The government does need to invest in infrastructures and other spending that will immediately start change in our economy. At the same time, some money should be put towards the future. Everyone needs to think in short and long terms.
