Does the Oil Cleanup Stimulate the Economy?

"All's not lost in the Gulf," said the pol;
"The cleanup makes jobs - that's the goal."
"But imagine instead,"
The economist said,
"If those jobs played a more gainful role."

"In recession, we wait for green shoots
To bring jobs to the idle grass roots;
So the cleanup campaign,"
Said the pol, "Won't detain
Our workers from gainful pursuits."

The economist frowned with sagacity:   
"The work from the cleanup will pass," said she;  
"Beyond current enjoyment,
This surge in employment
Isn't building tomorrow's capacity."  
  
- Inspired by economist Jodi Beggs' interpretation of the classic "Broken Window Fallacy" in her blog, Economists Do It With Models.