VCUs Reaction to the Stimulus Bill

VCU students and staff are among those who will be hit hardest by the stimulus bill and their opinions are strong.
By Jessica Porter

The proposed stimulus bill is supposed to provide relief to Americans who have been hit hard by the world-wide economic depression. The VCU community will be strongly affected by the bill and students, faculty and staff want their voices heard.

The stimulus bill, which is now at about $789 billion, is supposed to get the economy out of a crisis and is currently being debated in Congress. The House and Senate are working to come to an agreement about a final bill that will be signed by President Obama. Congress expects the bill to be complete anytime between Wednesday and President’s Day.

“In such a circumstance, the government needs to step in,” said Douglas Davis, a professor of micro economics at VCU. “I think they are doing what they need to do, but it is costly and we will be paying for it for a long time.”

Many VCU students share the opinion that the government needs to intervene, but the way in which they think government should do so varies. Post baccalaureate VCU student Emily Harris, 26, said a big problem is that there are not enough regulations in regard to businesses and shareholders.

“If shareholders get a handout they should not be filling their pockets,” Harris said about the recent rejection of a limit to how much shareholders can receive. “The American people should be the shareholders,” not big corporations, Harris said.

Others, like 32-year-old John Emanuel, an IT Analyst at Student Affairs Tech Support, said a socialist approach to government would be beneficial, especially socialized healthcare.

The bill is “a necessary evil providing jobs to improve the infrastructure,” said Emanuel. He wants to see less military spending and more money going toward science.

Due to their questionable spending history, the role of Republicans has become controversial in deciding this bill.

Because tax cuts are going to the middle class “republicans have decided to take the position that this is a horrible mistake.” said Davis.

Emanuel was not encouraged by opinions of Republicans.

“Republicans don’t have room to speak up with criticisms; they put us in this mess,” said Emanuel.

The economic situation means a lot to a student. Philip Gray, 22, graduated in the summer with a degree in English. Like numerous other graduates, he has been unable to find a job and is working at the Virginia Book Company in the meantime. For many students, the stimulus bill could mean more job opportunity and security.

The bill “has an excellent chance in helping particularly if Congress follows the president’s lead in ensuring funds used in long term infrastructure,” said Will Sims, a VCU assistant professor for mass communications, who is optimistic about the plan.