A month ago, the Obama Administration launched a website aptly named “www.recovery.gov“, as a communication portal to the general public regarding how taxpayer dollars are being allocated in the various stimulus and bailout packages. Let’s face it, we are all right on the frontlines ready to criticize and complain about what seems like a daily onslaught of poorly managed financial institutions, insurance companies and automakers schlepping for a piece of the bailout pie. Every American who cares about how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent should keep an eye on this website, and make their views known if they have issues with the plans. Democracy, freedom of speech – here’s your chance while you have it.

The Obama administration reports that the recovery.gov website launched last month has had over 150 million hits  since it went live. The site is certainly well laid out, easy to navigate through and the text is clear and concise (translation: more tax dollars spent). Hey, I’m not really complaining, but with times as they are we have to find humor in strange places.

In President Obama’s welcome video on the website, he states, “The important decision about where taxpayer dollars are invested will be yours to scrutinize. And once the money starts to go out to build new roads, modernize schools and create new jobs, you’ll be able to see how, when and where it is spent.” Which brings us to what seems to be the primary complaint or observation thus far– when will this be?

Where is your money going? This page shows a tabular view of  the breakdown of how much bailout money is going to health care vs. education vs. tax breaks, etc. The timeline (accessed under the dropdown menu “about” and then “timeline”) you can scroll through the future by placing your mouse cursor on the timeline, then click and drag to move it forward.

Another feature worth noting is a map of the United States that shows the numbers of jobs the administration estimates will be created and saved in each state as a result of the stimulus. There is the standard list of frequently asked questions, and the not-to-miss place to add your personal input, the place where you can “share your story“.

In summary? We couldn’t say it better than Barack himself, as he does on the welcome video clip. “Take a look now,” he says, “and come back often. Recovery.gov will be changing and growing a lot in the weeks and months to come.” Let’s all do so on a regular basis and keep government spending accountable… readers, what do you think of the website?

No related posts.