http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/02/07/congressman-questions-port-of-la-about-vip-yacht-after-kcal9-investigation/

Congressman Darrell Issa from Washington questions why the port of Los Angeles owns a 73-foot yacht called the Angelena, and why they’re using taxpayer money to refurbish it.

“I do sometimes question why they need a VIP yacht at all,” says Issa.

KCAL9‘s Investigative Reporter Davd Goldstein discovered the port using $489,000 in federal taxpayer stimulus money to outfit the Angelena with two hybrid engines.

“This is the American people’s money that was borrowed in stimulus,” says Issa. “It was supposed to create net new jobs. Could that half a million dollars have been used better? Was this really just show without substance? And we think the Port Authority has a lot to answer for.”

Port general manager Geraldine Knatz raced down the hall and avoided Goldstein’s questions about the yacht. But she can’t dodge congress.

Representative Issa shot off a letter to Knatz after our investigation. As chairman of the committee on government oversight and reform, Issa wants to know why the stimulus money was used.

“This appears to have no net new jobs,” says Issa. “And obviously half a million dollars gone.”

This is the sort of thing local reporters should do, not just regurgitate press releases. A city yacht, really? I wonder if there was anything, anything at all, that money could have been better used for? I wonder how much of the stimulus money was used for things that didn't directly create jobs?

 

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What does create jobs in your mind?

I know outfitting a yacht with two hybrid engines didn't create a single new job so it is pretty clear the money was misappropriated.

 

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What would create new jobs?


I'm curious.


I think your statement is wrong.


I do think hybrid engines are probably not an ideal way to create jobs through government spending because a large % of the moeny gets diverted into material and design costs rather than labor costs. If you want to create jobs it would be more efficient to pick someting with higher labor costs and lower material costs. But the idea it has no impact is puzzling.

The funny thing about this thread is bonzo is taking the dig the ditch with spoons approach.

 

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I don't think he answered your question because it wasn't pertinent to the discussion he was starting. His post was about stimulus money wasted by the port authority and how local news can do a lot of good when it shines light on corruption.

The answer to your question "What creates jobs.": Prayer and Magic.

 

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Subsidies create temp jobs at the expense of long term jobs.

 

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No wonder your nation is shit, there's so much corruption and stupidity at all levels of your government..

start at the top and cleanse it with fire and you will be fine.

 

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So if they used taxpayer money, does that mean the public can use that boat?

Only if you are his aides, one of them always has to carry the Mayor's breath strips so it is a tough job.

 

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