Why We’re Investigating Stimulus Signs

Since the $862 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act became law, President Obama has gone to extraordinary lengths – at taxpayers’ expense – to convince the American people that this unprecedented government “stimulus” spending has created jobs. The Obama Administration has not only used taxpayer money to fund websites claiming phony "jobs saved or created," but it has also pushed stimulus grant recipients to post pro-Administration signs and decals at a cost of up to $192 million. This is an outrageous waste of public money that does nothing to achieve the stimulus signs’ promise of “putting America back to work.”

This project is intended to harness the help of the American public in getting answers about why the Administration has insisted on wasting potentially $192 million taxpayer dollars on pro-stimulus advertising even as the spending splurge has failed to meet the President’s own sales pitches: that the stimulus would keep unemployment below 8% and generate more than 4 million private sector jobs by the end of 2010. Today, unemployment stands at 9.6%, 14.9 million Americans cannot find work and more than 2.5 million people have lost their jobs since the stimulus became law. No amount of White House propaganda or deficit spending, however, can change the fact that long-term jobs growth doesn’t come from the federal government – jobs come from the private sector.

We are asking taxpayers to help us investigate the cost and extent of the Obama Administration’s pro-stimulus advertising by sending in pictures and locations of stimulus signs, logos and emblems. To help ensure information gathered in this project is accurate, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you see any factual corrections you believe need to be made on our map.

We need your help tracking down stimulus propaganda signs that waste taxpayer dollars. So be a citizen-watchdog: see a sign, take a picture and send it with the location to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Key Resources:

 Click here for the Report on Obama Administration propaganda

Response Letters to Rep. Issa's Request for Signage Requirements for Projects Funded by the Recovery Act

August 2, 2010 - Environmental Protection Agency's letter of response

July 30, 2010 - Department of Commerce's response

July 29, 2010 - Department of Defense's response

July 24, 2010 - General Services Administration's letter of response

Press Releases:

August 19, 2010 - DoT Backs Off Stimulus Propaganda Requirements

August 16, 2010 - Issa Asks GAO to Investigate Obama Administration Propaganda Abuses

August 6, 2010 - In the Middle of Obama’s “Recovery Summer” Propaganda Tour, Economy Shed 131,000 Jobs

July 30, 2010 - Issa Statement on Administration’s Latest Recovery Act Propaganda

July 14, 2010 - Issa Statement on White House Stimulus Jobs Claim

July 9, 2010 - Issa: New GAO Report Underscores Continuing Lack of So-Called Stimulus Transparency