• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.

• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.

Hollywood is very big business though I agree this is unneccessary I Know for a fact that a lot of communities lose potential business because other countries like canada are wooing studios for filming locations. The places these studios film see a bump in the economy and one that can have a long term effect as well.

• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.

Like it or not not everyone has the money to buy a new TV or get cable. Some people live in place that don't have cable and so forth. The TV is an important part of the EBS and it is important to mke sure that peopel have full and total access to it. TV works as a better medium for the EBS than the radio

• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).

I knod of find this silly but most of the people who complain about this wouldn't complain if it was an A-10 or Tank

• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.

It does need a HQ and thank Bush for creating the dept.

• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.

This is for new vehicles that need to be purchased by the goverment the money si going to be spent anyways and we will save money in gas.

• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.

ANd this saves a lot of money down the road when it comes to these Diseases. Testing increases awareness removes doubt and can help restore self confidence. The people hit hardest are poor who might not be able to fork out 75 every 6 months or when neccessary

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.

Creates jobs in rural areas and is a vital part of infrastructure

• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.

I am not sure about the state of the sewer system so I can't comment though I agree local projects shoudl be left out

• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.

Read above though likely this shoudl just be in a budget

• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.

The Census is a very important database that gives the goverments tools to district determine proper spending and even tax cuts or hikes more efficiently and fully belongs in the stimulus

• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."

Even though I just quit smoking I am against this. I am not in favor of this nations direction when it comes to smoking

• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.

Education is important tools for education is important. Technology needs to be upgraded all the time in order to remain relevent and this is actually very cheap compared to what it should be

• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.

How many people in the FBI? This is enough to pay 750 employess $100,000 a year or 1,500 employees $50,000 a year. I don't want agents making less than 50K it makes them to susceptable ot alternate means of income. Besides don't you want to feel more secure. This isn't much at all

• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.

Again this comes back through health care down the line

• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.

Versus several billion in damage

• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.

Ditto

• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.

Better for the enviroment and saves money in the long run in terms of cost

• $500 million for state and local fire stations.

Again Fire stations a re important part of infrastructure

• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.

Again versus billions in damages like seen in California this year.

• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.

Helps reduce crime and foster a work force and ethic..... It is a good thing to have and something that has ben included in pretty much any successful economic recovery program.

• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.

88 million for renovation is nothing on a national scale. It is also something that needs to be done.

• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.

If you don't think the CDC is important or needs resources I really honestly feel for you.

• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.

I am not familiar with this institute so I will not comment.

• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

• $850 million for Amtrak.

Amtrak is not managed properly and is desperate need of an overhaul the issue is not het money but advancement and management of Amtrak here
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.

• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.

Creates jobs modernize goverment and facilities. Perhaps can even be a more efficient desing. IF the other facilities are being closed money can be made back from the sale. Or used for otehr purposes saving money there.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.

Again this is infrastructure. Govt computers are in a much needed update and the base of any economy is food.

• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.

Again it can save energy costs down the line. Resulting in less money spent over the long term.