OC Register Challenges Joe Biden Claims

It's hard to hate poor old Joe Biden. It wasn't that hard when he was younger and being such a jerk on those committees, but now he's the lovable, crazy old uncle we keep locked upstrairs when the guests come. Now he has escaped from his bedroom and made some more laughable claims that this morning's Orange County Register has dismantled in a lead editorial entitled; "Biden goes on bending the truth".

http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/rail-265074-biden-costs.html
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Here's the text from the OCR:

Government isn't the best gauge of how well government's doing.

A 50-page report on the economic stimulus released last week by Vice President Joe Biden is "a collection of rosy projections that ignore many of the challenges, pitfalls and economic realities," says an Associated Press "Fact Check." The Obama administration exaggerated its claims that $100 billion invested in "innovative technologies" will increase renewable energy, reduce solar power costs, develop high-speed rail, improve health information technology and bring affordable electric vehicles.

"It works! And it's green!"



"That's a big f------' deal!"

Rather than double renewable-energy generation and manufacturing by 2012, the funding merely "jump-started a lot of stuff. But there's nothing beyond that," the AP quoted George Sterzinger, of the Renewable Energy Policy Project think tank. In fact, much manufacturing growth probably will be overseas.

Cutting solar power costs in half, the AP said, "assumes a huge payoff," which experts deemed "highly unlikely," particularly in an uncertain world economy.

The administration claims $8 billion in funding "is beginning to make high-speed rail a reality."


More $$$$$ for Amtrak



"That's a big f-------' deal!"

But the AP found some projects primarily "upgrade existing freight rail tracks...well short of the speeds in other developed countries." The Government Accountability Office says building high-speed rail "is a difficult, multiyear effort" depending on financing "far beyond the funds provided," which is unlikely considering state and federal deficits.

Health information technology received "a significant boost," Mr. Biden claimed.

"Thank you, Joe!"


"That's a big f-------' deal!"

But the switching to new technology "is in its earliest stages," says the AP. Economic dividends "could be years away" with "plenty of potential for glitches," and no systems are certified as meeting the required capabilities.

Mr. Biden claimed the stimulus is producing "significant steps toward affordable electric cars that can drive 300 miles on a single charge, powered by $10 of clean electricity instead of $50 of oil."



"That's a big f-----' deal!"

But Associated Press said that's overly optimistic and relies on unlikely assumptions.

General Motors' Volt plug-in hybrid costs $41,000, about twice a conventional midsize car. Low fuel prices give little incentive to spend more when savings wouldn't offset the higher price for years. It's also unknown whether electric cars' lithium ion batteries are durable, safe and affordable for widespread use.

Reports like this one remind us how important it is to be vigilant watchdogs.


"That IS a big f-----' deal!"
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