How many of these jobs will disappear when the money runs out?

If the jobs aren't scheduled to disappear - what's going to happen when the stimulus money runs out? Will the state require more money to keep them going?

All you have to do is look at what has happened out in California and that's what will happen in almost every state. California has been throwing money at every liberal cause the liberals can think of and the "Black Hole" keeps getting bigger. We are hearing that the economy has hit bottom. That would be great if what the government was doing the right things to climb out. But, if what we see is supposed to turn things around, we will be here for a while. I guess we should all be happy being bottom feeders.

JLawson: "How many of these jobs will disappear when the money runs out?"

Huh???

How can the "money run out"...it comes from the GOVERNMENT, which by definition CANNOT run out!

I'm surprised (and saddened) that I have to explain this to you! And the government gets the money from the "secret place where unicorns run free and there is money for everything!" Please get better informed! :)

Might as well not build anything. Jobs will disappear when the projects are completed or when the money runs out. No point in providing employment if it is not guaranteed for life. Anyone taking such a job would be a fool for only thinking about satisfying the immediate needs of their family.

Wake up!!! although the US government pays the salary of millions of people and thereby supports 10s of millions of US citizens it has never created a job.

Yeah, roads suck.

max: "Yeah, roads suck"

No, max, NECESSARY roads don't suck...anymore than NECESSARY airports suck!

Were people "employed" building John Murtha's personal freaking airport? Yes!

The Dems went BERSERK over the "Bridge to Nowhere"..which really would have served lots of people. Yet the Dems put INTO the "stimulus" plan a BRIDGE INTERNAL TO THE MICROSOFT CAMPUS!!!

How many half-built bridges, landscaping projects, airports for John Murtha do we NEED???

necessary roads don't "suck", max. you, on the other hand...

max - "Yeah, roads suck"

Some do, can you point to every repaving job that's been started with the money and say it was worth the money?

I read a recent thing on the jobs being created via money spent on infrastructure, most of it has been on repaving roads that were already scheduled to be but had no funding until stimulus funds reached the state and or city.

On it's face that's a good thing. But, what of those jobs when the repaving is done? They disappear, while people gain in the short term, long term they will suck just as bad as before the reg.

furthermore, how many of these projects were really needed and not some boondoggle foisted on the public by a rep or sen to gain favor or to aid his private business holdings or those of his friends.

We don't know and therein lays a large problem.

But max you would never see that as a problem or admit to it if you did.

Marc, these projects are designed to keep people working who have lost their jobs. Ideally, when the projects are finished, there will be private sector jobs waiting. It's not a perfect solution, but nothing is. These jobs are bandaids to get us through an economic downturn. Believe me, I don't want to waste money either, but I don't assume all govt. spending is bad just because of the party affiliation of the people making the decisions.

Basically, I think you're seeing a problem that isn't there.

max: "Ideally, when the projects are finished, there will be private sector jobs waiting."

Do you have ANY clue how a free-market economy works? The money for the "bandaids" (as you call them) is SUCKED FROM the "private sector"...which delays or eliminates them!

I was KIDDING in post #3 above when I talked about a "secret place where unicorns run free and there is money for everything!"

Geez!

Basically, we are seeing jobs that eventually won't be there, as most companies will continue to outsource. "Jobs now", but no jobs later.

max - "Marc, these projects are designed to keep people working who have lost their jobs. Ideally, when the projects are finished, there will be private sector jobs waiting."

And what private sector jobs will be waiting when all these temp repaving jobs are complete and evaporate? And secondly, what proof do you have these specific jobs are hiring those that have been unemployed?

I'd grants some, but suspect not many.

This is a free-market system, kind of. When there's a really bad recession, government intervention is helpful.

Giving people jobs that don't have jobs is just a type of welfare, but instead of sending them a check, you give them a job. This is a good solution because:

1. The gov't was going to have to send them a check anyway.
2. When people have jobs they are being productive for society. The gov't gets workers to pave roads, which we already needed done.
3. The checks people are paid for their work is more than unemployment checks. That means more money for them to spend at retailers and hopefully help boost the consumer spending rate.

Max said -" Basically, I think you're seeing a problem that isn't there. "

Oh you mean the $1+ trillion dollars they are spending after the check book hits zero right. That is the problem the MONEY ISNT THERE.

There's a fair amount of historical evidence that a good proportion of the CCC work and other "keep 'em busy" government jobs during the Depression exacerbated things, and until a nice fat WAR intervened and increased demand for goods abroad and here, (for both our enemies and allies) our economy sucked big time. Can anyone provide a scientifically documented basis for the huge government spending plan here? You know, something akin to Evidence Based Medicine? I think the current plan is akin to treating our cancer-ridden economy with coffee enemas, high dose vitamin C and chelation therapy.

julia - "3. The checks people are paid for their work is more than unemployment checks. That means more money for them to spend at retailers and hopefully help boost the consumer spending rate."

No one should be against these jobs, the problem is they are temporary, once these jobs are done so is the need for the workers. It's a stop-gap at best.

Additionally, we don't know how many of these repaving jobs are legit, how many are really needed against now many are bogus BS that do nothing but line someone's pockets.

"Ideally, when the projects are finished, there will be private sector jobs waiting."

But realistically, there is no guarantee these companies won't pack up their tents and leave town. Government intervention is reactionary in a generated crisis, and designed to control under the guise of security.