How did stimulus help our economy?

I've read recently that the Republicans are trying to impede economic growth by voting against unemployment benefits. I believe the Republicans proposed five ways to fund the benefits without raising the national deficit. All were struck down.

If unemployment benefits save jobs in the grocery store and other stores, I suggest we raise the benefits threefold to really help the economy. Maybe we can raise the benefits tenfold and really, really help the economy.

All stores will have to hire people to handle the rush. Since the last election the Democrats have had control of the House, the Senate, and also had a Democratic president. And since then the jobless rate has gone up, and up, and up. And spending has gone up, and up, and up, with no end in sight.

How did the all important stimulus help the economy? Where are all the jobs it was suppose to produce? Why is $300 billion of that stimulus package still sitting in the treasury? Why couldn't $30 billion of that money help pay for the latest unemployment checks? Why borrow more money when we have money sitting around doing nothing? I just wish someone would give me some solid answers.

Jerry Drehobl

Roselle