[classicman]

There has been much debate — and plenty of criticism — lately about how successful the federal government’s economic stimulus plan has been in creating new jobs. And a recent ABC News report regarding the issue is sure to add fuel to the fire.

According to the network, a West Texas wind farm project is scheduled to receive $450 million in stimulus money, a project that is expected to create 300 construction jobs and roughly 2,000 manufacturing jobs. But those manufacturing jobs — the building of the turbine engines — will not be in the United States. A Chinese company is building them.

The language in the economic stimulus bill designates money for alternative energy projects but does not restrict where the equipment is made, or how the money can be spent in purchasing it.
Nearly $8 out of every $10 in stimulus dollars for wind projects is being spent overseas, according to the ABC report, a disturbing statistic especially in light of a national unemployment rate hovering near 10 percent.
Missed mark
We support alternative energy programs and governmental efforts to create jobs to put American workers back to work. But this is clearly not the way to achieve either goal.

Many economists credit the stimulus package with saving jobs, but falling far short of creating the new jobs as promised when the initial measure was approved a year ago.

There is evidence of an economic recovery, but that has yet to translate into jobs. The only bright spot is a decline in job losses, but unemployment remains high. As a result, there is renewed talk in Washington of yet another stimulus package.

Link