Has The Economic Stimulus Failed?

I read an article in yesterday's USA Today about a survey of corporate CEO's, who were asked if they thought the economic stimulus had succeeded. Sixty percent said they thought it had failed to have the desired affect on the economy and only 23 % said it had been a success.

I've written before that in my opinion it has been a failure. While some banks were saved, at least in the short term and the automakers and AIG got some relief, where is the overall stimulus to the economy. Infrastructure benefited, but while infrastructure is in much need of repair and updating, I doubt we'll see much job creation there. So you have banks, automakers, an insurance company and infrastructure, none of which have created jobs in any great degree. Without job creation and the resultant increased consumer spending, the stimulus package has to be considered a failure. Would we have lost more jobs and been worse off without it, maybe and maybe not.

I believe that the money would have been better spent by sending out rebates to taxpayers. If the money had been put in the hands of taxpayers, it majority would have been spent, boosting the economy by keeping the money in circulation. The banks did not keep the money in circulation, they hoarded the money, paid out bonuses and tightened consumer and business credit, worsening the economic situation. When consumers spend, retailers benefit, they keep their employees working. Manufacturers benefit by increased orders and they keep their employees working. Government benefits by increased revenue through payroll and sales taxes, so they keep their employees working. The restaurant and other hospitality industries benefit because more people are working and have more to spend on their services. When the money is given to a limited group, ie. banks, insurance, infrastructure and automakers, only the people in those industries benefit. When it is given to taxpayers who spread the money around, everyone benefits. If the government gets any of the taxpayers money back from TARP, I believe they should seriously consider sending it out in the form of tax rebates to taxpayers and maybe we'll actually see some improvement in the economy. If not, with the job market still hemorrhaging jobs and consumer spending down, I believe we're looking at a slow and drawn out recovery at best.