Imagine How Many Shoddy Websites Taxpayers Could Buy for $1 Trillion

In November I did a cursory search on the Obama administration’s Recovery.gov website and found that my own Jefferson County is spending $1.1 million in stimulus money per job created. A couple weeks later, we learned about the phantom congressional districts that could make the $1.1 million figure wrong on the low side. Then, last month, we were treated to a humorous introduction to Connecticut’s Fighting 42nd Congressional District.

Now today, my Independence Institute colleague Todd Shepherd has uncovered Colorado spending reported on Recovery.gov that has been sent to zip codes that are out-of-state or don’t exist:

For example, the breakout shows that zip code 87420 has received $5,267,621 in ARRA funds. That zip code corresponds to Shiprock, New Mexico. Also, the Colorado breakout shows over $1.5 million spent in the state in zip code 50901. That zip code not only is not in the state, but the USPS also says the zip code does not exist at all.

If $18 million in federal funds can bring us Recovery.gov, imagine how many shoddy, error-filled websites taxpayers could buy for $1 trillion?