California Dreamin'

Ah, memories.  It's fun to go back to those carefree days when we believed there such things as hope, change, and shovel ready jobs.  In that bygone era (you know, like six months ago) President Obama toured Solyndra, Inc, one of the new extra fab shovel-ready-stimulus-funded wet dreams that would fix the economy, save the planet, and make the kids do their homework before spending all night on facebook. 

The Bamster touted the $535 Million spent created 3,000 construction job that built the factory as well as the 1,000 "long term new jobs" that would surely follow.  But, alas, it wasn't to be.  Two months prior to Historic Leader’s visit, PricewaterhouseCoopers issued a report on Solyndra's IPO cast doubt on the ventures viability because, well, they weren't making any money.   Bummer.  Since then Solyndra has announced that it will shut down its old plant, lay off 200 permanent and temporary works, and mothball any ideas of expansion.  But don't worry, the $535 Million taxpayers sunk into the company did create 3,000 temporary construction jobs.  Math wasn't my best subject but I think that comes around to about 180,000 per job.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not summarily opposed to energy diversification, and there are many promising green technologies out there.  Heck, I invest in a few of them.  The problem here, as with the stimulus in general, is the notion that throwing money at a problem solves it (see education *ugh*).  If President Obama (and more than a few in the GOP Congressional caucus who seem to be addicted to corporate welfare) are really serious about creating jobs and opening up new technologies they would focus on fostering an environment pro to business development (i.e. get some regulatory certainty, cut red tape, remove new mandates on small business and quit scaring the bejesus out of everyone).  Until then, we will have to wait until Congressional over site discovers just how much money flushed down the proverbial drain via TARP and the Stimulus.  My advice, invest in Gray Goose.  We're going to need it.