Bloodthirsty Liberal

That’s not even editorializing. That’s fact.

But you wouldn’t know it to read the MSM:

A top White House economist says spending from the $787 billion economic stimulus has already had its biggest impact on economic growth and will likely not contribute to significant expansion next year.

Christina Romer, the chair of President Barack Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, said Thursday that the $194 billion already spent gave a jolt to the economy that contributed to growth in the second and third quarters of the year. She told a congressional panel that by the middle of next year, the impact of the stimulus will level off. Romer said spending so far has saved or created 600,000 to 1.5 million jobs but warned that unemployment will remain high, above 9.5 percent, through the end of 2010.

The idea of a “saved” job is dubious, but I suppose there are some—in certain favored sectors of the economy:

President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan spared tens of thousands of teachers from losing their jobs, state officials said Monday amid a nationwide effort to calculate the effect of Washington’s $787 billion recovery package.

…

In California, the stimulus was credited with saving or creating 62,000 jobs in public schools and state universities. Utah reported saving about 2,600 teaching jobs. In both states, education jobs represented about two-thirds of the total stimulus job number. Missouri reported more than 8,500 school jobs, Minnesota more than 5,900. In Michigan, where officials said 19,500 jobs have been saved or created, three out of four were in education.

That’s great news… for teachers. But then, they earned it:

Both the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have enthusiastically welcomed the election of Barack Obama, a “friend of public education,” to the White House.

“So much about this campaign has been historic and electrifying,” said AFT president Randi Weingarten. “The incredible voter interest Barack Obama generated, especially among young, independent and first-time voters; the sea change in voting patterns across America; and the election of America’s first African-American president are all extraordinary milestones for our country.”

“As we pause to savor this moment for its historic significance, we should also consider what it means for the children of our nation,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel, adding that President-elect Obama “knows that our long-term economic strength requires a renewed commitment to public education.”

…

The NEA and AFT, representing millions of teachers and education workers across the United States, played a significant role in the campaign. Both unions mounted pro-public education campaigns and websites, and reached out to their members and their families with millions of pieces of mail, phone calls and emails. Both unions also educated young members and first-time voters on issues related to public education and college affordability.

Mm-hmm. And now they want a return on their investment. There are stories in the news about Obama facing down the teachers unions (over merit pay, year-round school, etc.), but he’s got their back and they have his.

Meanwhile, the country circles the drain. The stimulus package was supposed to cap unemployment at 8%, but we’re looking at 10% soon, and for a long time to come.

As Rush likes to say, New Zealand is looking better and better.