All aboard the stimulus gravy train! $54 million of stimulus funds for a California “wine train” and $2.2 million for a golf course being threatened with closure

Congressional Republicans trumpeting their efforts to rein in federal spending have tucked thousands of pet projects costing more than $1 billion in the $446.8 billion omnibus appropriations bill expected to be passed this week

$500,000 National Science Foundation grant studies how people use Facebook

Washington Metro, facing a $175 million budget shortfall, spending more than $1 million on lobbying and government relations

Juan de Fuca Festival gets federal stimulus funds; “It demonstrates the high esteem in which the festival is held for the Juan de Fuca Festival to receive such a big piece of the pie,” says group’s executive director

Over the past ten years, the national debt more than doubled as Congress went on a spending spree—and yet we still find ourselves in the midst of an economic downturn.

Americans who have lost their job, health insurance, or home, are facing mounting personal debts, but are also faced with the question of who will pay off the staggering national debt that has grown by more than $1.4 trillion over the past year.

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The federal government must join American families in prioritizing its spending by making tough decisions. When we downplay wasting money on a $6 million project, it is easy to do it again ten more times. Once $60 million is out the door, it is easy to spend another $60 million and before you know it, billions of dollars we do not have are spent on things we do not need. Sadly, this type of spending is excused in Congress because ―”it‘s always been done that way.”

The American people have always rejected arguments based on ―”it‘s always been done that way,” ‖ and will continue to do so. Congress needs to make hard choices and eliminate things that are a low priority—even if doing so is unpopular—so we can preserve this country for future generations.

In the previous report, one hundred questionable projects were identified that did not appear to hold out promise for helping the economy grow. The Administration was quick to review these projects and to its credit addressed a number of them. In the months that followed, many more questionable stimulus projects costing millions and even billions of dollars were identified. This follow-up, Stimulus Checkup, takes a closer look at 100 more projects that raise questions about how stimulus money has been used so far.

The full report is above and can be downloaded here.

Two-thirds of registered voters who responded to a recent survey say the federal stimulus packages has not resulted in the improvement of the Western Illinois economy

The poll, commissioned by QuincyNews.org, was conducted by We Ask America on November 22 between 4:30 PM – 6:30.  In all, 15,000 random residential phone numbers of registered voters in the 17th Congressional District were dialed, resulting in 1,278 people taking the poll. The numbers dialed were randomly selected.

The results have a margin of error of ± 2.74 %.

Of those who responded, 66.7 % say the stimulus package hasn’t improved the economy. Just under 22 percent said there had been an improvement while 11.5 percent were not sure.

The poll also showed a skepticism toward health care reform and also a dissatisfaction with the incumbent 17th District congressman, Democrat Phil Hare of Rock Island.

Pollster Gregg Durham said the data tells him a ‘throw the bums out’ mentality is emerging for 2010.

“This is happening in the rest of the country,” Durham said. “It’s a little stronger in Illinois…this dissatisfaction with politicians with one governor in prison and the last one impeached and in legal trouble. The meter is being pegged in this state.”

“What is very telling is the independents are very strongly against the incumbent. There is a tendency to look for something else. There is a dissatisfaction with an incumbent.

“While even the democrats said they really don’t see the impact of stimulus spending, the real surprise is that the independents broke most closely to the Republican view points,” said Gregg Durham, who conducted the poll.”There’s some programs that we call eyerollers. Health care reform is one of them.”

“The pendulum swings both ways.  When you combine the major economic woes, plus the emotionally charged programs that are being discussed…health care, cap and trade, card check…there is a hastening of that pendulum swing and party affiliation doesn’t matter. “

Durham said the frustration is mounting.

“People are becoming weary,” he said. “They are holding their hands up and asking how we’re going to pay for this, couple that with a bad economy and not enough jobs you have the potential for a quantum shift. “

Click here to go to QuincyNews.org and read the polling information.