Words are superfluous when you visit the website that has been created ad hoc so that the American people are aware of where the public money being spent on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
«Recovery.gov is a website that allows you, the taxpayer, to find out where the money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is going. There will be a few different ways to search for information. Within days of the legislation being signed, federal agencies will begin distributing funds, and you will be able to see which states, parliamentary constituencies and even federal contractors are receiving them. As soon as we are able to, we will present that information visually, using maps, charts and graphics.»
Here, taxpayers will not only find the most comprehensive account of where their money is going and how it is being used, but also an interactive tool to give their views, report irregularities, comment on specific cases, put forward ideas, make complaints, share experiences regarding how the Recovery Act is affecting them personally, and so on… In short, an exceptional tool for exceptional circumstances.
Regardless of the effectiveness of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, an initiative such as this government website inspires a great deal of confidence and promotes transparency. It also boosts morale at a very difficult time for the whole world and helps restore the pride and self-esteem of the American people, who are about to face the worst depression ever seen. It is a matter of substance – the rigour with which such extraordinary resources are allocated – but above all of form, as it demonstrates, at the very least, the intention to ensure maximum transparency. The actual implementation, which will be carried out by various politicians across all the US states, is another matter entirely. But this website is a clear statement of intent that many of us in Europe envy. Do take a look at the welcome video:
Can you imagine something like that happening in the European Union? I can’t.. Not even Zapatero, Merkel, Papoulias, Cavaco or Berlusconi would make a compromising video like the one that the Obama's Team hangs on the very Recovery.gov, which we have included above. To begin with, the fragmentation of bureaucratic powers would make it impossible to reach the prior decision that has been necessary for the AR&RA; (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) sees the light of day. Moreover, it should do so diligently and efficiently – something unthinkable in a European parliament such as ours. State-centred mistrust and short-sightedness would be the order of the day, and the ECB It would be just one more voice when it comes to exercising the right of veto, which, moreover, would be necessary in the face of so much political incompetence and second-rate bureaucracy. It would be Eurosclerosis itself taken to the level of historic political and economic decision-making. Furthermore, the leadership required to take decisions of any kind is lacking in Europe; indeed, it has not even proved to be agile, effective or courageous when it has had to take sides in international conflicts. It is unthinkable that the current EU President (a curious concept) should make decisions of any significance during his a glorious term. In fact, current legislation does not even give him the power to attempt it, and all Europeans are aware that it would be reckless.
Regardless of whether one might debate their responsibility as the main culprits behind the situation we have reached, there is no doubt that the US is the country making the most extraordinary and historic efforts to try to mitigate the global collapse. Fortunately, global leadership in steering the ship through this depression lies with the US Government, which represents the necessary – though perhaps not sufficient – change of course to prevent the world from suffering irreparable damage. Let us imagine that it were Europe that had to lead the global economy and politics in the bleak present and future scenario: our chances of even minimal success would be nil. We are neither prepared nor organised to lead the world in difficult times. We have not even been capable of doing so in times that now seem peaceful by comparison.
A case in point: on 25 November, when Esperanza Aguirre left Mumbai in a hurry following the extremist attacks on various hotels, there was considerable diplomatic chaos. Various EU politicians were attempting to coordinate the evacuation of their compatriots during a few hours of utter confusion. A Spanish MEP (the chair of the European Parliament delegation, and the last EU diplomat to leave Mumbai at that time), who found himself right in the eye of the terrorist storm, attempted to evacuate several EU citizens via the emergency arrangements set up by some prominent German MEPs in the European Parliament. But their response was a true statement of political and humanitarian intent: «Only Germans»And it is in such difficult times that one’s true nature comes to the fore and the true political and personal calibre of any so-called leader is revealed. Not even a Spanish or Italian citizen can use or request the services or support of an embassy or consulate of an EU Member State other than their own when travelling abroad, for any administrative procedure or formalities as a mere tourist. It is deplorable and shameful for an EU that claims to be more than just a bureaucratic mega-structure, the partridge a high-stakes poker game or the healthcare team single-use and disposable.
It’s just as well we’re not world leaders, because we’d do a very poor job of it in the situation that lies ahead. In this case – and without this setting a precedent – I’m glad to be tagging along behind the BHO effect in this global recession. We certainly stand a better chance of survival this way than if an old, ossified, weary, bourgeois, divided, corrupt, disillusioned and sceptical Europe were to take the lead.
I shall face the day-to-day political, economic and financial news from our exasperating Europe in the best of spirits. And I shall periodically renew my enthusiasm, my confidence in the future and my motivation by visiting Recovery.gov and catching up on the details of the measures taken to help others recover.