NoStimulus.com petition in the Chicago Daily Observer

Shameful.  That’s the word President Obama used when dressing down bankers for the bonuses they awarded recently.  Mr. Obama called them to his office and told them that now is the time to show restraint, not a time to issue bonuses.   But did the President go far enough in his criticism?  The answer is: no.
Others should be called to task by the President – and paraded before Congress for grilling – they are the very people whose actions gave birth to our present economic dilemma.  They are the men who …

From Anne Leary, The Backyard Conservative
Spending Plan Mocked by the Onion and others
The Democrats have a slew of legal problems and not just Gov. Blagojevich
New Yorkers are fed up with high taxes
Pres. Obama’s Bi-Partisan Leadership is Questioned
Reasons to Whack Obama’s Spending Plans
Even the Sun-Times has it’s concerns

One of the main arguments defending the “stimulus” bill now working its ways through the bowels of government is that US consumers need help to keep spending.  Without it, say many, consumption will continue to decline rapidly, extending the recession deep into 2009 and possibly beyond.
I highly doubt this type of stimulus will really stimulate.  Moreover, the decline in energy prices since last summer has lifted workers’ total cash earnings (adjusted for inflation) even as employment has fallen.
I believe that without Keynesian stimulus (spending), the economy would recover from the …