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Now that our stimulus spending has reached the trillions of dollars our politicians in both major parties have decided that it would be great to determine how that money should have been spent. Congress will soon release another 350 billion to president Obama and will probably approve Obama’s new stimulus plan. There is no way possible that the short term benefits of these programs will outweigh the long term damage that printing trillions of dollars worth of debt will cause. Very little of the money has been or will be spent in increasing the pay of average workers by creating jobs. Since Joe citizen is not the beneficiary of the stimulus who is? There are two winners in these stimulus deals. First of all the politicians who get their pork barrel projects passed win. Secondly, the large multi-national corporations that receive the stimulus are winners. They get billions of dollars at today’s value that they may pay back in tomorrows weakened dollars.

Being a conservative I am naturally against the concept of these bailouts. However, I do have to admit that our fiscal, foreign, and monetary may make some sort of stimulus necessary. It pains me to say it but this is the reality we live in. Now, if we admit to needing stimulus what types stimuli are needed? Our first attempt appears to be a complete failure and most of what we are planning is destined to fail as well.

Keeping auto industry jobs active is probably a good start. At least money spent on the auto industry protects jobs. However, there is a more effective way to create jobs and add wealth to average citizens. Supporting small business is a far better method of stimulus. Small businesses create jobs and share wealth much better than large multi-national corporations. Most money spend on small businesses will create US jobs. Here is a high level 8 step plan to achieve this vision.

1. US government hires two thousand successful business minded individuals as business consultants
2. US government makes small business loans and grants available on a large scale basis
3. Business consultants evaluate small business proposals to determine feasibility and ability of the owner
4. Prospective business owners are given free training on how to run a small business
5. Loans and grants are given to prospective business owners who have a likely chance of success
6. New owners start businesses and hire employees
7. Ongoing business training and support given to new business owners
8. Program tapers off and completely ends after a certain date (Hey I’m still a conservative)

Problems: Many businesses will fail without any large return Businesses who start with a loan are starting with debt which is a large part of the problem we have now
Many new jobs will be short term
This is expensive

Benefits: Massive new jobs will be created quickly
New business spending will invigorate some markets
If we combine with infrastructure improvements new jobs will be created and we can fix our bridges and highways
Successful small businesses will not have to concern themselves with stock holders and will make better long term decisions