Hey Bartender

I'm amazed at the Big Lug Nut's campaign, and some in the medias buy in, that I-JOBS isn't about jobs.

The name I-JOBS must be confusing them and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Even before Culver called it I-JOBS, his proposed less catchy Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Investment Bonds (RIIIBs? ...mmm ribs) was designed to "create jobs" and "strengthen the economy".

He then used his “Shovel Ready” tour to show the immediate impact the I-JOBS program could have.

In early community visits to places like Clinton, March 2009, Culver emphasized -- "This proposal is all about job creation and economic development".

"This is going to allow us to create not only really good construction jobs....but, potentially a number of really good paying permanent jobs".

"What we're trying to do with this bonding proposal...we want to create jobs, we want to invest in bricks and mortar, we want to invest in economic development opportunities".

In September 2009, James Q. Lynch of the Cedar Rapids Gazette weighed in with -- As its name implies, Iowa’s...I-JOBS initiative is about job creation.

However, his next sentence showed the problem -- So where are they?

Lynch found the possibility of employment for 20 bartenders and three clergy.

Dave Price, until he took a break for the birth of his son -CONGRATS!, has hounded Culver and company since April over how many jobs have been created.

Because the jobs aren't there, and to take advantage of the Lake Delhi dam crisis, Culver's camps have tried to shift focus to flooding.

Culver campaign manager Donn (the second N is silent) Stanley criticized a Terry Branstad ad (What Jobs?) as showing “a combination of being arrogant and being out of touch that they are attacking a program that has been helping flood victims at a time of another big flood.”

The administrations official spokesperson, James Flansburg, said of the job numbers, “That’s only one element to it.”

Tim Albrecht, a Branstad spokesman, put it -- “Changing their message midstream does not change the fact this program has failed to create the number of jobs promised.”

Midstream...LOVE IT!

SHOVE(L) IT

Trying to sell his Billion Dollar Debt plan, the Big Lug Nut began his “shovel ready tour” of the state.

Telling Iowans...

“This is a practical, pragmatic step. It a responsible step. It’s fiscally sound. There’s not a risk here.”

He plans to repay the debt, over the next 20 years, with gambling revenue and he's wagering there won't be a downturn like the one in Illinois of 20.9 percent.

If that happens the debt is repaid from Iowa's general fund.

Culver also said...

“I want to make sure everyone understand that this isn’t some crazy idea. That this is well thought out and makes sense.”

I believe the Big Lug is NUTS and this plan needs to be buried.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

Culver hyped this by saying his plan would create 4,000 jobs for every $100 million borrowed, or 30,000 jobs.

The Ragister cited an Iowa State University economist who says the number of jobs would be 1,490 for each $100 million.