What is $60 Billion For?

Now I was born and raised on Staten Island and I spend many wonderful hours at the Jersey Shore, but $60 Billion is real money. One should have an accounting, one thinks. What is $60 Billion to be spent on, is it to assist the truly needy, or as one may suspect is it packed with pork, gifts to constituents, near and far, and creating just a greater burden on those for whom the support may be truly needed.

Indeed, some of the areas of the Jersey Shore and Staten Island may best be left for mother Nature to settle, one really cannot stop the Ocean. But what are those areas, and do we know so much so quickly that $60 Billion is the correct number. Four years ago we heard of and spent the Stimulus, and as I have been tracking it monthly it had done not one bit of good.

In the Guardian there is a piece on the New Jersey Governor's diatribe against the House asking for some details before agreeing to hand out $60 Billion. It states:

Christie, speaking at a 40-minute long press conference before that announcement, reflected widespread criticism, mainly on the left but also among independents and many Republicans, that the Tea Party-backed Republicans in the House are a disruptive influence, creating chaos in Washington.

"Americans are tired of the palace intrigue and political partisanship of this Congress, which places one-upmanship ahead of the lives of the citizens who sent these people to Washington DC in the first place," Christie said.

 Now slinging mud is perhaps not the benefit that we seek. Leadership seems to be lacking in being able to communicate. It may be fun to listen to the new guy on the street shouting out their complaints, but leadership at times requires tempered communications, explaining what needs to be done, why we should add more on our burden, nit just whipping the mule, until perhaps the poor animal just collapses under the burden.

Regrettably, in my opinion, we seem to be lacking in true political leadership, lacking in that tempered ability to lead by communicating, lead by example, lead by bringing the masses along in a rational manner.

One of the most critical elements I see not being anywhere is that very simple  ability to lead by example, to show others that we too can carry the load. One of the best CEOs I have ever seen would take the subway, sit in coach, and buy his own lunch. The arrogance of leadership leaves the leader without followers. Marcus Aurelius was as a Stoic also a great leader. Reading his works may sometime help those who are in positions of leadership learn the art of leading. We seem to lack a great deal of leadership talent in our current politicians.