Can Porn Industry “Stimulate” The Economy?

Many Americans have taken the $168 billion in government largesse that the government granted them to spend on stimulating the economy on stimulating themselves.

According to The New York Times of all places, a porn industry research firm estimates that many adult entertainment sites have seen a 20 to 30 percent growth in membership rates since the checks were sent out in May. The increases came during the industry’s slow season. Porn has a slow season? Who knew?

Even weirder was the dry take from Hitwise’s Bill Tancer, who wrote on the paper’s Freakonomics blog, about the subject: "An alternate hypothesis as to the stabilization of adult visits this summer is that when economic times get tough certain online activities become more popular." No doubt.

Unfortunately, the stimulus checks have been far less stimulating than many had hoped. They are getting far less stimulating thanks to inflation. As Bloomberg News reported, consumer inflation in June climbed 0.8 percent, the most since September 2005 while spending increased at a higher-than-forecast 0.6 percent.

Many Americans are not doing much stimulating with the money Uncle Sam sent to them. In fact, my check is headed right back to the IRS to pay off my estimated taxes. Many of my friends are using their funds for bills.

There is no way to overstate the awfulness of these numbers. Leaving aside the academic debate about whether we are in a recession or not, many Americans are hurting now. All that political leaders can come up with to fix the economy are absurd ideas like a gas tax holiday or a "windfall profits tax" on the oil companies. Let’s hope they come up with something better because the positive impact of the stimulus checks is starting to fade

Whether the Fed raises or lowers rates, you can bet that talk by the Democrats will grow louder for a second stimulus bill. Maybe they should call it the Jenna Jameson Early Retirement Bill for the sake of accuracy.

Jonathan Berr