I'm not happy that the stimulus bill was made less stimulative by reactionary Republicans and embarrassingly incoherent Democrats. I'm also not happy that direct spending on infrastructure/social programs comprises a miniscule 4.6% of all the government funds spent to deal with this economic crisis. However, considering how far progressives have pushed the debate, I'd say the deal on the economic stimulus package is a huge victory. Now, we need to push it over the goal line.
Remember, only months ago, the incoming administration and the Congress were talking about passing a stimulus bill at around $350 billion. Remember, too, that Obama started out pushing a stimulus package chock full of odious tax cuts. Now, we've got a bill that's $790 billion (including a sizable downpayment for major progressive priorities) and stripped of the worst tax cuts.
To those who said we should have just shut up and fallen in line from the beginning, and to those who said we should have just quieted down and "trusted" President Obama to "do the right thing," I respectfully counter that you're equation has been proven to be bankrupt by the results that our movement has helped create. Had progressives simply shut up and fallen in line - had we simply succumbed to subservient Dear Leader-ism - this bill clearly would have been far smaller and far worse.
It's not perfect - not by a long shot. And the key term is "downpayment" - we're going to have to keep pushing for the kind of sustained investment in public priorities (infrastructure, education, health care, etc.) as Wall Street tries to crowd out those priorities with demands for more bailouts. But right now, we should be high fiving. Our voices, our work, and our pressure helped create the "Make Him Do It" Dynamic on the stimulus. That is, we helped forced them all - the Congress and the White House - to pass what (upon expected final passage) looks like a solidly good if unspectacular outcome.
Now, we need one last push for passage. We're hearing that right-wing talk radio and conservative organizations are firing up the Republican base and flooding Capitol Hill with telephone calls demanding lawmakers water down or kill the stimulus. If you have a moment today, call or email your Member of Congress and tell him/her to immediately pass this stimulus. You can find your House member's contact info here and your Senator's contact info here. Alternately, you can use this email tool from the Campaign for America's Future.
Take five minutes today and make your voice heard - it's important.