In hopes of forcing his National Health Bill through Congress, President Obama begins a political blitz despite the economic landmines going off in his path. Actual numbers are starting to be disclosed on recovery.org, and it is not looking good for the President. Economic indicators are not on track with what the Obama administration predicted multiple times earlier this year. The consequences of early missteps of the Obama administration are quickly coming to bare on his Presidency and his popularity.

The passing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has produced nothing but a silent thud. Besides pushing the country more into debt, the stimulus package has provided the American people with more examples of the poor oversight the Federal government provides when spending tax payer’s money. For instance, $16 million of stimulus money was used for canned pork.

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/contracts-recipient-summary&id=12-AG3J14120297195&mode=details&primeid=30

Another $5 million to process cheese.

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/conntracts-recipient-summary&id=12-GDPDVVDOC02502&mode=details&primeid=35

More than $300,000 to replace and upgrade the dumbwaiter; whatever that is?

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/contracts-recipient-summary&id=36-VA243RA0565&primeid=545

I am not sure how any of these handouts are going to save or produce jobs. These are just a handful of examples of poor oversight by the government when dolling out money from the Stimulus Fund.

With the stimulus package, the President predicted a peak of 8% in unemployment, and we currently are approaching 10%. For 2010, he predicted a GDP growth of 3.2%, which is appearing as a very generous estimation with many economists predicting much slower growth; even the Congressional Budget Office is only forecasting a growth of 2.9%. The administration forecasts a budget deficit of almost $2 trillion, that’s four times greater than last year’s deficit.

Most damaging , the Congressional Budget Office reported last week, stating the National health Care bill will actually raise the cost of health care not reduce the cost. This really should not come as a surprise to anybody.

The administrations midsummer budget report has not been released, and has actually been postponed. It is sure to show rising unemployment and deficits. Releasing the report at this time will surely sink the Health Care Bill, so the administration has chosen to play the political game and wait until Congress is out of session.

Currently, the Health Care bill is written to actually allow American Taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. Hopefully the conservative members in Congress will fight to get this provision removed.

The Stimulus package was a failure because of how it was organized. Money has been spent too slowly, and abuses have been allowed to dilute its effect. Many politicians will claim that most of the money has not even been spent yet and we can expect to see the effects in the future. Sadly this is true; we will wait for too long for any growth to be seen. As we spend our way into huge deficits, we are only setting ourselves up for a deeper and longer recession in the future; a future we are leaving for our children to deal with.

With Congressional Approval numbers already in the tank, we could expect some big changes with next year’s elections. President Obama’s approval numbers have started to show a steady decline, some polls even have him dipping under the 50% marker for the first time. We can expect to see his numbers fall even further as his administration continues to try and spend its way into success. A current Rasmussen poll of favorability for the 2012 election has Obama and Romney tied at 45% and Obama holding a slight 3% edge over Palin. An interesting poll, but it is way to early to take any value from it. All it shows is Obama’s iconic status starting to crack, after all he is only human, and a shock to some I am sure. With most of his Presidency in front of him, President Obama can only hope the last half goes better than the first half is shaping up to be.