Video: Private Sector Eats The Fed’s Lunch
Posted May 24th, 2009 at 10:53am in Ongoing Priorities 
Print This Post
From Reason.tv:
Remember the day when President Barack Obama promised that concerned citizens would be able to track “every dime” of stimulus money online? He was talking about the official government website, Recovery.gov.
Which doesn’t have any details about contracts or grants yet—and won’t until October 2009 or, more likely, sometime next year, long after the thrill of living is gone and a huge chunk of the $787 billion stimulus package has already been frittered away on “shovel-ready” projects such as the John Murtha-Johnstown Cambria County Airport (pop. 20 passengers a day).
Thankfully, the folks at the information-services firm Onvia stepped in and created the site Recovery.org, which is already on the case and showing, as much as is possible, who is getting what.
Like Adam Smith’s butchers, bakers, and brewers, it’s not from Onvia’s benevolence that the company is doing this, but from its self-interest: The company puts mostly small and mid-sized firms in touch with local, state, and federal agencies that need some sort of contract work done.
Which might well be the point: The private sector has eaten the feds’ lunch on this precisely because they have to hustle in order to keep the wolf from the door. Even, ironically (and frankly disturbingly), when the project is all about chasing government dollars.
Author: 
5 Responses to “Video: Private Sector Eats The Fed’s Lunch”
Jeremiah Smith, Kabal on May 24th, 2009 at 10:53am said:
What’s the point? Really? The Govt. hasn’t accounted for Bush’s stimulus money let alone Obama’s…He owns the Auto Industry, Banking institutions, some states via fed bailout $. The MSM (Main Stream Media) FNC & CNN both Parent companies working together even sharing ‘consultants’ and ‘guests’ it’s a mockery! All the feeds, Reuters,AP, AFP, all come through some sort of screening first…the only reliable source of info is from the Internet and 98% of that is regurgitated govt.propaganda–although now that people are awake they are reading the propaganda and filtering out the 2% of news in it and dumping the rest! Why do we need to bother tracking the money? We know where it’s going…straight back into the coffers pocket that handed it out in the first place…IMF,World Bank…
Barb -mn on May 24th, 2009 at 10:53am said:
The government at every level, in every state has so much money through their deception/corruption. I don’t see how it will ever be transparent. There are too many insiders at every government entity. Unless the will of Recovery.Gov is on the up and up and the opposite of government…efficient, honest and investigative, etc. but the hint here is .gov. Who can trust government web. As members lie continuously, while no one who can, does anything about it as those who attempt are demoralized. And because there is so much distrust for this government at every level, this site could be a cover-up?
It sure would be interesting to know where the money goes as in this state the amount stolen doesn’t add up to it’s claim to need. And it seems 75% of what’s claim, is what people can do for themselves… pathetic!
FCWATSON, SF East Bay on May 24th, 2009 at 10:53am said:
Its a start!
John, Colorado on May 24th, 2009 at 10:53am said:
Government can’t do anything above the mediocrity level, and usually doesn’t even achieve mediocrity. Whether it’s the local health department regulating septic systems, or a state or federal agency, only where a few highly intelligent people are involved who care, have courage, and have some Christian faith and morals, does anything get done close to right.
Richard Fletcher, San Diego on May 24th, 2009 at 10:53am said:
Thank God for this Recovery.org site, it provides some degree of accountability and transparency which isn’t occurring under the Obamanation administration.