we'll hear more about that. tom vil sack is continuing his rural tour to talk about how stimulus money is reaching rural areas. he's here to tell us what he's hear from the ground on this. i'm really, really interesting about hearing about the effect the stimulus money is having, if any. there have been criticisms and concerns that it's not getting where it needs to go. quick enough, not addressing the problems quickly enough. what are you finding? >> all of which you expressed on the show. first and foremost there is immediate help for a lot of families around america. the usda in the process of distributing $20 billion of food s stimulus, within 30 days of the money going out, the money is spent. for every dollar we spend in food assistance, we generate $1.84 in activity. there is work taking place. unemployment compensation extended tax relief to families. doing the work americans want done, we have obligated $800 million of waste water treatment money for communities across the country. we've loaned 10,000 home loans through usda and created opportunities with the broadband to distribute money this fall to expand broadband. there is work being done to build the infrastructure then the work to build the 21st century economy, energy, we're seeing a substantial amount of money come from the department of energy creating new energy sources. >> let me stop you there. the work that will be done in terms of the 21st century. perhaps we're going at this in the wrong order of events, not that it's not important, but that what we face in terms of the crisis in this country is jobs, jobs that are lasting in the future, the kinds of jobs we're hemorrhaging our mid level and high level jobs, people out of work for a sustained period of time will not lead to recovery. >> the weakness in the economy didn't occur overnight, won't be solved overnight. you are building the kinds of jobs you're talking about -- >> are we? >> absolutely. this is happening all across america. and do not underestimate the temporary assistance resources. one out of five american families is receiving food assistance, it is a big deal to receive $80 a month more to spend on groceries. i'm not underestimating it. the word stimulus for the economy means to push it forward and grow it to where it needs to be and push it forward. >> i don't think people understand the stimulus effect of the programs. when you spend a dollar of food assistance, creating $1.84 of activity in the economy. you are stimulating the economy. within 30 days, 97% of the resources are spent. that's a direct stimulus. then the infrastructure and long-term, in rural america there is real possible with broadband and discussion of climate change, new rural economy, trust me, it will be successful. >> you're well aware the debate, you and the others talk up the economy and be realistic, be straight forward as you are, nice plane iowa talk. what is the best case, if the stimulus plan works perfectly, what's the best case for unemployment or growth in this calendar year? >> i think you'll see in increase in the latter part of the year in the unemployment numbers? >> a decrease in the unemployment numbers the end of this year. and i think you'll see the economy and more a steadiness of consumer confidence. the markets will be perhaps a bit steadier than they have been. and then you'll see continued growth in the economy in 2010. >> what's the worst case, if things don't go well? >> mark, i want to tell you, i'm absolutely confident in the capacity of this plan to work because i understand the vision the president has. the worst case scenarios, obviously a continuation of high unemployment and unemployment rates continuing to go higher. it was projected that would happen early in the process. we're only a couple of months into this and you have to give it time to work. this is building a foundation for a new 21st century american economy, not something to be done overnight. the president has a clear and concise vision, energy, broadband, new infrastructure. >> secretary, there are some who are skeptical about the rural tour. i'll read from the l.a. times and let you respond. the itinerary announced for the rural tour includes sefrlt politically districts that would make a case for people who voted republican in the past congressional races and now represented by democrats up for re-election in 2010. are there political motivations behind the rural tour? >> no, i was in michigan yesterday, my ninth stop. the president added eight additional stops, we'll hit 17 or 18 states. it is an opportunity for us to talk about a new rural economy. something that hasn't been down. the investments made by this administration are historic, when you look a broadband, $9 billion over time and the energy title, new opportunities for second and third generation feed stocks for ethanol production, when you look at the production and consumption work we're doing to link people locally and retain wealth there, you're seeing a massive investment in rural america which overtime will pay off. when you get to the discussion of climate change, there are benefit for agriculture and climate change, the offset program based on the house bill will create opportunities for rural america that we've not seen for quite some time. it's an opportunity for me to listen to concerns folks have about dairy prices and pork prices and opportunities to educate people about what the administration is doing and the huge investment it's making in rural america. >> thanks very much for coming into the studio. we wish you the best of luck engaging injure department in the future of the economy's growth. we hope it works. willie, what do we usually do -- >> if you're in the obama administration we dig up an old photograph and ask you to