In times when science can advance the nation, and job creation is embraced, Senator John McCain bashed stimulus projects across America. A project conducted by the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions made McCain's list of the 100 Most Wasteful Stimulus Projects.
'The combination of the words ‘malt liquor' and ‘marijuana' might explain why it was selected for this list,' Collins said. 'Including my study on this list used political theatrics to undermine peer reviewed substance use research that focuses on an issue that is important to society.'
McCain's spokesperson Brooke Buchanan commented on why this research project made the list.
'The stimulus bill was designed to create jobs ... this particular project did not do this, which is why it was highlighted,' Buchanan said.
However, Collins said the stimulus money used in UB's study not only created jobs, but maintained jobs as well.
'There are three other researchers who were paid partly through the funding, and would otherwise be out of work,' Collins said. 'Most of the money was used to employ the staff and to run the study, such as personnel costs to pay the salaries of a highly educated research staff.'
Each participant will also be paid $45 out of the $389,357 stimulus package to acknowledge the time and effort spent providing researchers with the information they are looking for, Collins explained.
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Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
