Fed-Up: Americans React to Stimulus and Bailouts

Billions, Bailouts, and Bureaucracy

With bank failure and auto-industry bankrupcies on the horizon, the federal government has taken steps to slow America’s slide into recession. Billions (now over a trillion) in stimulus money was pumped into the economy, banks, and a helping hand for the “big three” auto manufacturers.

Was it the right choice, however? A number of Americans don’t think so. Phones rang off the hook on Capitol Hill with protests over the stimulus bill, numbers some Capitol Hill employees privately equate with the immigration bill reaction.

GOP leaders equate the stimulus aid with pork-barrel spending and earmarked “pet projects”. Rush Limbaugh characterized the stimulus bill as “Porkulus”; even mainstream members of the press quietly noted that the latest $410 billion budget bill contained close to nine thousand earmarks, in sharp contrast with President Obama’s campaign pledge to oppose such legislation.

The Rise of Rick Santelli

Capitol Hill’s seeming disconnection to the feelings of average Americans has given rise to some angry reactions. Rick Santelli became the spokesperson for millions of fed-up Americans when his outburst on the floor of the Chicago trading house sparked a reaction from the White House.

Santelli’s shouts drew cheers from Chicago traders and big numbers from Youtube viewers, both fans and foes of his message. While White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs brushed off Santelli’s remarks as irresponsible, a faction of the public seems to have embraced his cause. As more floundering homeowners await handouts and auto union workers balk at major concessions, fiscally-responsible Americans are up in arms about how much of their pocketbook should be confiscated to save their neighbors.

Tea Parties and Protests

Creative protests are on the rise, including “tea parties” organized or staged in major cities like Dallas and Chicago. Modeled after the infamous Boston tea party protest, modern-day activists dump tea in the harbor in symbolic reaction to increased bureaucracy.

Bitter protests and unanswered questions posed by citizens have even inspired ABC’s John Stossel to approach the stimulus and bailout issues in his recently-taped report. He even includes a comic approach to Capitol Hill’s steps, megaphone in hand, a mini protest mirroring many citizen’s frustration.

Websites, Blogs, and Grass Roots

Some of those citizens are taking matters into their own hands, voicing opinions on blogs, websites, and forums. One Dallas resident even has plans to create his own website called Workmanreport.com, to officially post his protest to the government’s bailout activity. He’s among those choosing technology to make sure their voices are heard–others are joining grass roots groups, visiting congressional watchdog sites, and tuning into political talk shows via webcasts.

Will It Work?

Whether these protests have any affect on America’s politicians remains to be seen. Potential candidates are already reviewing the cause-and-effect of the stimulus and bailout packages with regards to their political future in 2010.  GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas vows his party will cancel the stimulus bill if they retake congressional power; President Obama and the Democrat party are banking on the success of the stimulus to keep them in power next election. Until then, Americans will be watching–and expecting someone to listen to them before making the next big decisions on Capitol Hill.