How about a stimulus cop to start with?

Posted By David Rothkopf Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - 7:30 PM Share

Here's an idea I'd like to see added to the stimulus package and any subsequent Wall Street rescues: the creation of an independent inspector general with sufficient staff to police the massive spending (which, including spending, tax cuts and guarantees, will dwarf the budget of the entire government several times over).

This individual should report to Congress, have subpoena power and be separate from all other agencies and interest groups inside the government. The message needs to be sent to all who benefit from their largesse of U.S. taxpayers, this money is a public trust, honor it or go directly to jail.

EXPLORE:FINANCE
 
Facebook|Twitter|Reddit

BSPAHN

8:27 PM ET

February 3, 2009

GAO

David, Perhaps you have another vision for the stimulus cop, but isn't what you're referring to a function already filled by the Congressional General Accounting Office?

 

David Rothkopf is the CEO and Editor-at-Large of Foreign Policy. His new book, "Power, Inc.: The Epic Rivalry Between Big Business and Government and the Reckoning that Lies Ahead" is due out from Farrar, Straus & Giroux on March 1.

Read More