COVERITLIVE.COM

12:05

SignOnSanDiego - Good afternoon, Dean.

12:07

SignOnSanDiego - So - the stimulus plan is getting nationwide attention, but we are not sure about nationwide results, is that correct?

12:07

DeanCalbreath - We're not sure about the national results or the state and local results.

12:08

DeanCalbreath - The Obama administration says that 125,000 jobs have been created so far, 600,000 will be created by the end of summer and 3.5 million will be created by the end of 2011.

12:08

DeanCalbreath - But so far, it's hard to see what has been done.

12:08

SignOnSanDiego - There are certainly lots iof impressive-looking pie charts on the site. http://www.recovery.gov/

12:09

DeanCalbreath - The problem is that nobody knows for sure how many jobs have been created: not Obama, not Gov. Schwarzenegger and - here in San Diego - not Mayor Sanders.

12:09

SignOnSanDiego - They have until October to provide those numbers, correct?

12:10

DeanCalbreath -

The White House last week asked state and local officials - as well as government contractors - to provide job-creation data by October, correct.

12:10

DeanCalbreath - But why aren't they providing it now?

12:10

DeanCalbreath -

In this age of computerized tracking, we should be getting a better idea of where the money's being spent.

12:11

DeanCalbreath - Frankly, I have no doubt that Obama's sent out enough money to pay for 125,000 jobs to be created. But I don't see the evidence that those jobs have been created yet.

12:11

SignOnSanDiego - They seem to be spinning a little - leaning on "we don't know how many jobs have been saved" rather than "created."

12:12

DeanCalbreath -

Well, they've always said jobs would be "saved or created." But I don't think the public's paid enough attention to that.

12:12

DeanCalbreath - The fact is that during a time of rising unemployment, job retention is just as important as job creation.

12:13

DeanCalbreath - And I do agree with what Obama says regarding the stimulus: i.e., that it might not be curing unemployment right now, but that unemployment would be worse without it.

12:13

DeanCalbreath - I'd just like to see more transparency and accountability about the funding.

12:15

SignOnSanDiego - That has dogged the new administration in a few areas. However, the site does provide some general breakdowns.

12:15

SignOnSanDiego - More in terms of spending than in results, though.

12:16

DeanCalbreath -

Exactly. That's the problem. I think it's very well documented how much we're spending right now. But the question is where the money is being spent and whether we're getting bang for the buck.

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