By Caitlin Taylor

Feb 5, 2009 8:06am

The Note, 02/05/09: At What Cost? Losing the messaging war, Obama takes aggressive tack

By RICK KLEIN President Obama is going to get a stimulus package. But there’s going to be a price — a fiscal one (though what’s $1 trillion between friends these days?) and a political one. As the package grinds its way through a messy legislative process, it’s not clear that progress is being made to minimize the cost on either of those ends. Already, Obama has had to play two precious cards this week — “I’m sorry” (to the American people — who haven’t heard that from a president in a while), and “I won” (to the Congress — the members of which, by the way, also won their elections). Here’s guessing he didn’t want to have to go there now, just two weeks in. By convention wisdom’s standards, the battle to define the stimulus bill is over, done; Obama lost. The president’s push from here forward will test his relationship with the public and lawmakers — with Team Obama, uncharacteristically, playing defense. To his critics: “I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change,” Obama writes in a Washington Post op-ed. “We can once again let Washington’s bad habits stand in the way of progress. Or we can pull together and say that in America, our destiny isn’t written for us but by us. We can place good ideas ahead of old ideological battles, and a sense of purpose above the same narrow partisanship. We can act boldly to turn crisis into opportunity and, together, write the next great chapter in our history and meet the test of our time.” But the Post’s editors take issue: “However, ideology is not the only reason that senators — from both parties — are balking at the president’s plan,” reads the editorial. “Mr. Obama praised the package yesterday as ‘not merely a prescription for short-term spending’ but a ‘strategy for long-term economic growth in areas like renewable energy and health care and education.’ This is precisely the problem.” Of the new tack — and the true costs: “Obama’s comments were a marked departure from the conciliatory tone he has maintained as he courted Republican votes for his stimulus package through compromise,” Peter Nicholas writes in the Los Angeles Times. “The bill is likely to pass because of the overwhelming Democratic congressional majority. A defeat, however, would end a political honeymoon that already may be foreshortened because of the dust-up over a trio of Cabinet nominees with tax problems,” Nicholas writes. “But if Obama wins by eschewing the bipartisanship he preached throughout his nearly two-year campaign, he could jeopardize prospects for a healthcare overhaul, energy transformation and other projects he is planning.” “President Obama finds himself in the most unlikely of places: He is losing the message war,” Politico’s Jeanne Cummings writes. “This is unfamiliar turf for a team that achieved near epic status for its communication skills during the presidential campaign. They’ve rarely ever had to play catch-up.” Said Joe Trippi: “The communication tools they mastered don’t exist in the White House. It’s like they are in a cave.” Yes, the president is working with moderates to build up to 60 in the Senate — and he will get there, almost certainly. But it may be too late for him to alter the bill’s outlines, or (perhaps as importantly) its perceptions. Slate’s John Dickerson: “If he creates too much trouble for himself, by the end of the year the president’s office hours will have to extend all day long.” “The fact that the bill is the product of free-spending Congressional committees is likely to hurt Obama. It is defining his first major effort to fix the economy not as a new way of doing business in Washington but as a massive exercise in more of the same,” Time’s Massimo Calabresi writes. “If the vote on the stimulus bill were held in the Senate today — it wouldn’t pass,” reports ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “So Senate Democratic leaders and the White House are working with a centrist group of Republican and Democratic senators to try to come up with an amendment that addresses the concern that too much of this spending just isn’t stimulus. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid has assured the president that he will pass such an amendment and get this bill passed by this weekend.” “The lack of an agreement between the two leaders of the talks, Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), has thrown the final outcome of the stimulus plan into doubt. Both want to reduce the package’s cost, but Collins wants to impose deeper cuts,” The Hill’s Alexander Bolton writes. “In addition to Republican recalcitrance, a significant number of Senate Democrats are concerned with the size and scope of the $900 billion stimulus bill and have moved unapologetically to rewrite large portions of it,” Roll Call’s David Drucker reports. Signaling movement: “Following each of their private Oval Office meetings, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine and Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., all received the impression from their meetings with Obama that the president understands parts of the economic stimulus package, now in the Senate, need to be scrubbed to deal with non-stimulative programs in the current bill,” ABC’s Sunlen Miller reports. A new White House strategy? There’s the presidential address to Congress Feb. 24, and before that: “President Obama will significantly ramp up his salesmanship of his economic stimulus plan over the next week with a prime time news conference planned for Monday and an address from the Oval Office on the topic also being considered,” Washingtonpost.com’s Chris Cillizza reports. Losing/lost message control: “The elation of Inauguration Day has given way to a classic form of partisan hardball,” E.J. Dionne Jr. writes in his column. “Arguments left unanswered can take hold, whether they make sense or not. And one more lesson: No occupant of the White House has ever been able to walk on water.” Newsweek’s Michael Hirsch: “Obama’s desire to begin a ‘post-partisan’ era may have backfired. In his eagerness to accommodate Republicans and listen to their ideas over the past week, he has allowed the GOP to turn the haggling over the stimulus package into a decidedly stale, Republican-style debate over pork, waste and overspending.” “By now, the public has gotten the idea that it’s all a big waste, something the Communicator in the Oval Office has not been very good at contradicting. It’s time for a presidential address to the nation, with charts and perhaps a little illustration of California dropping off into the ocean,” Gail Collins writes in her New York Times column. “Whenever the Republicans bring up anything in the stimulus bill that sounds a little weird, the Democrats have been pathetically eager to throw in the towel.” By the numbers: “The unflattering term ‘pork’ is now being used about four times more commonly in connection with the stimulus as it was two weeks ago — even though the underlying package has not substantially changed,” Nate Silver writes at FiveThirtyEight.com. “This is what it means to lose control of a debate.” Case in point: “[Obama] and congressional Democrats are embracing a Democratic version of trickle-down economics that won’t work,” Karl Rove writes in his Wall Street Journal column. “Republicans are right, both substantively and politically, to oppose this monstrosity and smart to offer a bold alternative. The GOP’s road back is about to be partly paved by Mr. Obama’s embrace of Democratic trickle-down economics.” Maybe a bit much: ABC’s Jonathan Karl picks out some choice lines from congressional debate. “This bill is so bad, one of the worst, probably the worst, bill that has ever been introduced in the U.S. Congress,” said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. “Not one word that is written in that bill does anything to stimulate our economy or get people back to work,” said Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky. And from a voice that still matters more than a typical senator: “No bill is better than this bill,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., per the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Silva. More of what Team Obama doesn’t want: “The CBO, the official scorekeeper for legislation, released its own analysis of the House and Senate bills, saying they will help in the short term but result in so much government debt that over time they would ‘crowd out’ private investment, leading to a lower gross domestic product (GDP) over the next 10 years than if the government had done nothing,” Christina Bellantoni and S.A. Miller report in the Washington Times. This was never supposed to be vote by vote, but hope of a resounding bipartisan victory is lost: “In terms of politics, this puts Obama closer to congressional Democrats, who digested the likelihood of a partisan vote on the stimulus far sooner than the White House. Some Democrats feared privately that Obama was allowing the GOP to define ‘bipartisanship’ based on the ultimate vote total, even though the vast majority of Republicans were always likely to oppose the stimulus package,” per ABC News. “Instead, the White House is pointing toward the outreach to Republicans as the fulfillment of Obama’s promise to work in a bipartisan manner — deemphasizing the final vote tally.” Finding a voice to fit the times: “President Obama, who swept to the White House on a message of hope and inspiration, is struggling to contend with a different emotion among Americans — anger,” Alec MacGillis writes in The Washington Post. “Obama has searched for the right tone for taking the transgressors to task while not crossing into glib point-scoring that could spook the business class. And his indignation has ratcheted upward in recent weeks.” What better day for faith day at the White House? The president speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast, and later will issue an executive order to create the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Obama will cap his day by visiting the Democratic House retreat in Williamsburg, Va. On faith: “President Barack Obama has named a 26-year-old Pentecostal minister as the head of the White House office that coordinates outreach to religious and community organizations,” ABC’s Karen Travers reports. “The White House will announce formally today that Josh DuBois will head the revamped White House Office for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, created by an executive order to be signed by President Obama this morning.” Travers: “With this announcement, Obama continues an initiative that was created by executive order under President George W. Bush in his first month in office. In the Bush Administration, the office was designed to work with faith-based and community organizations on social service issues and advise them on applying for and receiving federal funding. The Obama Administration will seek to expand the role of this office as it relates to policy issues where religious and local leaders can be effective.” David Brody, of the Christian Broadcasting Network: “The Brody File has learned that President Obama will announce the creation of a new President’s Advisory Council on Faith during this Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC. He will also lay out his plan and ideals for The White House’s Faith Based Office.” “When President Barack Obama launches his version of the faith-based initiative Thursday, he will expand the mission to include abortion reduction and outreach to the Muslim world. He will also try to avoid the thorniest constitutional issues that beset the program for years under his predecessor,” The Wall Street Journal’s Laura Meckler writes. “Mr. Obama’s approach to the federal faith office reflects his search for common ground on contentious social issues, and his willingness to dial back some of his campaign positions.” Leon Panetta gets his Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Thursday. “Leon E. Panetta, the White House nominee to take over the Central Intelligence Agency, earned more than $1 million last year serving on corporate boards, consulting and delivering speeches, including some given to imploding banks at the height of the financial crisis,” Mark Mazzetti writes in The New York Times. “Merrill Lynch gave Mr. Panetta $56,000 for two speeches in 2008, and Wachovia paid his standard fee of $28,000 for an appearance last October, according to financial disclosure forms Mr. Panetta submitted to the Office of Government Ethics.” “He received $120,000 in director’s fees from Fleishman-Hillard Inc., a St. Louis, Missouri-based public relations firm that was registered to lobby for about 40 clients last year, according to Panetta’s financial disclosure filed for his CIA nomination and forms Fleishman-Hillard filed with Congress,” Bloomberg’s Timothy J. Burger and Jeff Bliss report. Will this come up? “In 1987, when he was a House member from California, Panetta co-sponsored a bill that would have given the Government Accountability Office — Congress’ investigative arm — the power to audit CIA programs and activities,” per ABC News. A hiccup the Obama team doesn’t want at this point: “A former legislative aide to President Obama’s designated commerce secretary, Senator Judd Gregg, accepted thousands of dollars in free meals, drinks and sports tickets from a lobbyist for whom he placed items in spending bills, according to court papers,” Jim Rutenberg writes in The New York Times. “The aide, Kevin H. Koonce, was identified in court papers only as Staffer F. They detail his interactions with Todd A. Boulanger, the lobbyist who pleaded guilty last week to charges that he had provided gifts to public officials in return for help for his clients. Mr. Koonce had been Mr. Gregg’s legislative director from 2002 through 2004 and went on to become a lobbyist himself. But court papers in the case of Mr. Boulanger, who was a deputy to the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, say Mr. Koonce took legislative actions in Mr. Gregg’s name at the behest of a lobbyist providing him with gifts.” On the Thursday docket: A $1 million media buy (the group’s first) from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, with a noon ET press conference in Washington. (Can you think of a better time to tout fiscal discipline?) From the release: “Former U.S. Comptroller General and Peter G. Peterson Foundation President and CEO David M. Walker will join Sens. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio) and Reps. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) at a press conference urging the Obama Administration and Congress to take action to address the nation’s growing fiscal challenges. Walker and the Members of Congress will discuss key policy ideas to address structural fiscal challenges, including establishing a bipartisan, action-oriented commission or task force to tackle the problem.” Coming this weekend, from the ONE Campus Challenge: “More than one hundred students from college campuses across the country have been selected to join actor Anthony Edwards, Lauren Bush, members of Congress, and leaders of international organizations at the Power 100 Summit in Washington D.C. These students earned a spot at the conference by raising awareness about extreme global poverty and preventable disease on their campuses and throughout their communities.” And a mover and shaker, on the move: “Rick Reed, an award-winning political advertising and issues advocacy consultant, is opening his own media firm, Rick Reed Media, Inc. Reed, whose career has focused on national security issues and political campaigns, is known for his work with families of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in creating the media campaign for the Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License and for his involvement with Swift Boat Veterans and POWs for Truth.” The Kicker: “I do expect him to send the message that people who are going to be in the Oval Office should treat the office with the respect that it has earned over history.” — Andy Card, former White House chief of staff, calling for a “dress code of respect” by the office’s new denizen. “I raised $17,000 from ex-boyfriends — true story! I know that is the record in the Senate, but in the House it’s held by Barney Frank.” — Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., bringing down the house (Frank included) at the Washington Press Club Foundation dinner. Bookmark the link below to get The Note’s daily morning analysis:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/the_note/index.html For up-to-the-minute political updates check out The Note’s blog . . . all day every day:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/ Follow The Note blog on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thenote

User Comments

Arrogance and greed + tax cheats and lobbyists = Obama’s administration

Posted by: CW | February 5, 2009, 8:33 am 8:33 am

As American learn more and more about this so-called stimulus bill, the more and more they don’t like it. And rightly so. Obama says just pass it and don’t worry about the details. That’s nuts. Nearly a trillion dollars is about to be added to the national debt, and at least two-thirds of it is questionable spending or kick-backs to liberal groups. Look at ACORN, the infamous voter-fraud community organizating group which is slated to get between $2 to $4 billion. Hey, Obama, the devil is in the details. And America doesn’t like what it is seeing. Rewrite the darn thing.

Posted by: Patrick | February 5, 2009, 8:36 am 8:36 am

Absolutely the American people are angry with the president and the elected who are padding this buyout with unnecessary spending. While the programs have merit and no one can argue their value … now is not the time for the “extras”. When so many people are daily losing jobs and potentially homes we need job creation that has a lasting impact. For example, building a water park in FL may provide some short-term jobs but who is going to have the money to take thier family to the waterpark? I love the Smithsonian but that also needs to be in a separate area and not part of the “stimulus”. After the mess with banks and their reckless spending we are shocked and very dismayed to see what are elected are willing to sign on and add more debt to all of us.
Yes, a timely response is important but we are talking almost 900billion dollars! Pass half that amount and see how it works then come back to the American people for more.

Posted by: L. Judd | February 5, 2009, 8:41 am 8:41 am

BHO approval rating is 39% today…
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/scoreboards/by_the_numbers2/by_the_numbers

Posted by: Sue | February 5, 2009, 8:45 am 8:45 am

You can put lip stick on a pig but it still a pig. This is a pork bill plain and simple everybody knows it and they don’t want it. Pelosi’s wish list is what this is. 500,000 or 500,000,000 pelosi she doesn’t know the difference.

Posted by: chaos | February 5, 2009, 8:48 am 8:48 am

Why don’t you all just let him do his job? I think you all are just trying to discredit him because he is an African American. If he was white, you all would think his plan was outstanding.

Posted by: Ruth | February 5, 2009, 8:49 am 8:49 am

The programs that the Repubs are objecting to make up a total of maybe 3-4% of the entire stimulus bill. Several of the programs, such as the family planning, have been removed by Obama and the Dems. The repubs then just come up with new programs to bash and say the Dems are being bipartisan. I just heard Mitch McConnell whining about a weatherization program….a program that will create jobs, both training people to do weatherization and to do the actual construction to weatherize buildings, will save the government, businesses, and homeowners money in energy bills, reduce our energy consumption and dependence on foreign oil. In the long run energy efficient buildings will save the government money. Ridiculous. They pick soundbites to whine about without even thinking about what some of this stuff could do for the economy.

Posted by: Ordermonger | February 5, 2009, 8:51 am 8:51 am

Is this marxist even an American? what if GWB had cried “I won, give me what I want” What a joke this pile of dung is.

Posted by: rwtroll | February 5, 2009, 8:51 am 8:51 am

From what i can see, the House decided to shove as much pork into this bill as possible which is an embarrasment to the Democrats (and Obama by association). Now the Senate wants their hand in the pot which is embarrasing to Democrtats (and Obama by association). The only reasoned comments I hear are from the Obama spokesman and a few Republicans (and most of US citizens) calling for a targeted stimulus bill. Obama is fighting an uphill battle with the old minded politicians. It’s not pretty.

Posted by: Waysie | February 5, 2009, 8:51 am 8:51 am

This is the worst thing Obama could do!! He is assureing his administration will be known as a failure. This is just more of the Bush policies, same thing .

Posted by: as if | February 5, 2009, 8:53 am 8:53 am

I’m confused.. Everyone was aware of that Obama was a corrupt socialist/communist. Unless they just had their head buried in the sand chanting “change” “hope” blah blah blah.
Why are you all upset when he does what you elected him for? This is WHAT socialists do.

Posted by: Michael | February 5, 2009, 8:54 am 8:54 am

ruth that is ridiculous, plain and simple, race has jack sheet to do with it, screw this pay back bill for getting elected, we need tax reform, if you were to print that out it is 18 thousand pages, flat tax accross the board about 15% no deductions, put money in our pocket, and cut government by about 2/3rds, this government is greedy plain and simple

Posted by: pink stocks are a scam | February 5, 2009, 8:55 am 8:55 am

Obama is a man you can’t help but like. He’s human, real, seems down to earth. I hate to state the obvious, but he’s not ready for prime time. A whole lot of mistakes, especially letting the congress define this stimulus and it’s a trainwreck (and that’s being kind). I am shocked that his handlers let Nancy P write this thing, and let her shut out republicans. Makes me wonder who’s running things.
Anyway, despite a genuine like for the man, I warned of this during the primary. This is what you get when you put a novice in there.. and change or no change.. this was no time for on the job training.

Posted by: a reader in ga | February 5, 2009, 8:55 am 8:55 am

On the ‘Stimulus’ Bill, a wise man once said: ‘You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig’. Not mine but I found it amusing and appropro.

Posted by: bct | February 5, 2009, 8:55 am 8:55 am

Change is not change when necessary legislation is PORKED out by the Presidents own party. If he can’t rein them in, he will be no effective than the last.

Posted by: Blane Land | February 5, 2009, 8:55 am 8:55 am

Ruth – he is just as much white as he is African American.
Sorry, communism stinks no matter what your skin color is.

Posted by: Michael | February 5, 2009, 8:56 am 8:56 am

President Obama need to just back off and let the Rep. sink the country. Perhaps out of the ashes we will rise again, perhaps not. The Republicans got us into this mess, they don’t want this country to succeed because Obama is a Dem, so let them bear the blame for the mess they got us into. The American people can rise up and take care of the traitors, or go along like bleating sheep….your choice.

Posted by: Josh | February 5, 2009, 8:56 am 8:56 am

The republican rhetoric has gotten absolutely ridiculous. Eric Cantor stated that government has never created a single job and no one has called him out for that statement. That is a truly ridiculous claim not taken out of context. He was claiming that the stimulus will not create jobs because the government never has. Funny enough here I thought that the entire military complex, government bureacrats, Senators, Congressmen, and all those government sponsored work projects were all paid by the federal government as one of the largest employers around. And that is not to mention the billions the federal government gives to state governments every year just to keep them afloat so they can claim they have a balanced budget while the federal does not.

Posted by: Ordermonger | February 5, 2009, 8:57 am 8:57 am

Americans are tired of wasteful spending by our government at the cost of the taxpayer. This “stimulus” is more of the same waste. Why does Obama demand that the bill pass by this weekend? Take your time. Make sure that it is going to create jobs. Prevention of STD’s does not belong in this bill. What does Obama’s budget look like? How much more of taxpayers money is he going to spend?

Posted by: CW | February 5, 2009, 8:58 am 8:58 am

ruth: you have a problem!

Posted by: chaos | February 5, 2009, 8:58 am 8:58 am

Obama certainly didn’t count on this. When he announced for the presidency, all he thought he had to contend with was the war in Iraq and then sit back and be America’s GQ president. WRONG!!!
I didn’t vote for the guy but if he goes down the country will go down as well. And that is something we cannot afford…none of us. Yes, he inherited this debacle. The same way Clinton inherited it in 1992 and Nixon with Vietnam in 1968. That is the president’s job…to clean up mess. But this problem we are in is unchartered waters. The result of Democratic liberals forcing lending institutions to provide mortgages to unqualified people, a staggarring immigration problem whi today has more job security waiting on the corner for work then a citizen does sitting at their desk, greed by the wealthy. It is a trifecta that has taken America down. I didn’t vote for the guy, but if he could remedy this, I will personally carve his face on Rushmore.

Posted by: Scott | February 5, 2009, 8:59 am 8:59 am

It’s only the have’s attacking this bill. the democrat & republican governors & mayers all in support of it because they are closer to actual tax payers

Posted by: jobless | February 5, 2009, 8:59 am 8:59 am

ordermonger, it is we the tax payer that pays for government and the military, they do not pay themselves

Posted by: pink stocks are a scam | February 5, 2009, 9:02 am 9:02 am

rwtroll posted:
Is this marxist even an American? what if GWB had cried “I won, give me what I want” What a joke this pile of dung is.
Actually rwtroll, GWB did exactly this but he did it even more blatantly than has Obama. GWB claimed he had a mandate from the people to do as he wanted after barely defeating Kerry in ’04. He then went on to promptly try to privatize social security and failed miserably…thank god.

Posted by: Ordermonger | February 5, 2009, 9:03 am 9:03 am

The governors are all desperate for money. But the states that in the most trouble are blue states. Go figure.

Posted by: chaos | February 5, 2009, 9:04 am 9:04 am

I don’t think obama can even balance his own freaking check book, get a clue man

Posted by: pink stocks are a scam | February 5, 2009, 9:06 am 9:06 am

“BHO approval rating is 39% today…
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/scoreboards/by_the_numbers2/by_the_numbers”
Sue, you need to learn how to interpret polling data. That’s not at all what it says. For polling purposes, “strong approval” and “approval” are practically as different as night and day. Those polling numbers you cite are actually positive for him. The “leadership” number is the most important number to a President and it’s 64%. That’s high.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 9:06 am 9:06 am

Go ahead Republican’ts; keep fighting this bill. Keep rejecting help for a dying economy. Keep griping about programs that will employ the little people. Then see how many of you get reelected in 2010. People will forgive a lot of things, but not when you kick them where it hurts—in the wallet.

Posted by: Rick | February 5, 2009, 9:08 am 9:08 am

Obama’s experience was writting a couple of books that he sold with the help of Oprah. He has never been qualified to run a compony and much less to run a country.
Unfortunately, people were so tired of the Bush administration that they voted for hope. Obama has always been too good to be true.

Posted by: CW | February 5, 2009, 9:08 am 9:08 am

All these talking heads are so immersed in Washington’s echo-chamber that they’ve lost any common sense. Obama is dealing with an urgent crisis using the existing systems. Congress did not CHANGE overnight… they are still two rival gangs stuck in a schoolyard war, angry, contentious, uncooperative with each other. But Obama does not have the luxury of getting them to GROW UP before he acts, because we need action NOW. So, it’s no surprise that Congress is still in raw conflict that extends beyond reason. Democrats exclude Republicans from the drafting process, while Republicans do everything they can to sabotage the legislation, let the economy be damned. And the press blames Obama?!? Idiots.

Posted by: bw | February 5, 2009, 9:10 am 9:10 am

What a ridiculous question to ask after 17 days in office! Obama is a breath of fresh air after the stink left over from the Bush administration! A stink that will linger for years and years.

Posted by: indy_voter | February 5, 2009, 9:10 am 9:10 am

Will you Repug goons stop hounding the President.
Latest polls show that 75% of the American public are in support of a stimulus of some sort even if almost half do not like this bill because of how badly it has been sold.
Less than 1% (one percent) of the current bill is pork (both Repugs and Dems agree on that) and most of it has been removed. So don’t believe the Repug LIES.
And YES Obama WON BY A LANDSLIDE. So Repugs are well adviced to live with it.
This BILL WILL PASS and any Repugs that vote against it will be booted out in 2010. We will see to it that that happens.
If you are praying for the President and America to fail we will boot you out of Congress. If you like you can join Limbaugh and his bunch of racist whinners.
And YES President Obama still enjoys a 66% Approval Rating. Even the Faux News Poll says so.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | February 5, 2009, 9:11 am 9:11 am

BHO approval rating is 39% today…
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/scoreboards/by_the_numbers2/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
btw – this is 39% stongly approve – up 4 pts in one week….dont try to skew opinion by being dishonest with numbers….

Posted by: indithinker | February 5, 2009, 9:12 am 9:12 am

Pink stocks,
Yes we do…and under the last eight years I am extremely upset at the way my tax dollars have been spent in a war on Iraq that is the most costly expenditure in US history, (by the end much more than this stimulus bill), on no-bid military contracts, on missile shields in Europe that may or may not work. Meanwhile Bush cut money funding scientific research that brings about new innovations in society, never actually gave any money to support his no child left behind, a health care system with rates increasing much faster then inflation, failing electrical grids, failing levees, failing bridges. And that is while taking a budget surplus to record deficits…so I believe that Obama’s spending is quite a welcome change to massive spending in a bloated military complex that is hemorraging money.

Posted by: Ordermonger | February 5, 2009, 9:12 am 9:12 am

The Middle Class is watching Republicans, and we don’t like what we are seeing. Get ready to get a butt beating in 2010.

Posted by: Clint | February 5, 2009, 9:14 am 9:14 am

Rick Klein, you sound like a ‘concerned troll.’ I can’t believe you actually thought about writing this piece.

Posted by: ovwong | February 5, 2009, 9:17 am 9:17 am

Mr.Klein,
Your article is remarkably similar to the one I just read by Jeanne Cummings on Politico.com. Unfortunately (for you), her article was posted two hours earlier. Can’t you people at ABC do anything on your own?

Posted by: Rick | February 5, 2009, 9:17 am 9:17 am

Nobody voted for Socialism. People voted against Bush and the Republicans who were unpopular. Obama is absolutely wrong if he thinks he was given some mandate to make the US a Socialist country. If you pole Americans on the actual issues, you find that they mainly disagree with big government, socialized medicine, big bailouts, big national debt, and high taxes. Obama has no mandate at all.

Posted by: brian | February 5, 2009, 9:18 am 9:18 am

First of all any padding of the bill is only 1% of it. Second of all we are in a huge mess and already passed a bailout which was voted for with a majority…Bush’s bailout bill…
Third: What do you want him to do? He has asked for ideas and all you get from the rich Republicans is that Obama’s bill is no good….
Also, he took to task Wall Street, no more high pay, bonuses, airplanes, etc. Why did the previous administration do this? We give them bailout money and they go on the same merry way. No wonder they need to be bailed out. This time Obama is putting restrictions on this and watching over it and everyone is complaining.
Tell you what, don’t do a stimulus and see what happens to the middle and lower class.

Posted by: Barb | February 5, 2009, 9:19 am 9:19 am

With criticism, sarcasm, narcissism, and all the other isms becoming and epidemic in this God forsaken Country …. it’s no wonder why no ones ever happy. It doesn’t matter who’s president the American people are never happy with the Presidential pick. So then why aren’t you critical people running for president? Because you don’t have the guts to be president. America’s laundry is finally hanging out on the line for all the world to see. It’s time for change alright. Time for morals, values and ethics.

Posted by: terrie | February 5, 2009, 9:19 am 9:19 am

America is going down, and Obama just happens to be in office when it happens! The so called stimulis bill will only speed the process up….

Posted by: as if | February 5, 2009, 9:20 am 9:20 am

Dear Senator:
I am writing to exhort you to vote against this stealth Marxist bill that the Democrats have wrapped in the mantle of an Emergency Stimulus Plan. Thomas Jefferson said, “To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”
$42.3 Billion Government salaries and program expense;
$4.19 Billion ACORN;
$1.1 Billion AMTRAC;
$50 Million National Endowment of Arts;
$40 Million NASA Climate Research;
$300 Million Americorps;
$200 Million contraceptives;
$200 Million sod for the National Maul;
$1 Billion U. S. Census;
$400 Million Green Buses;
$650 Million Digital Converter Boxes;
$7.7 Billion Federal Building Funds;
$13 Billion Pell Grants;
$ Untold abortions around the world;
$ Untold tax credits for illegals;
Creates 32 new federal programs;
Expands 60 existing programs favoring the political left;
$2 billion for coal power plant defunded in 2007 for inefficiency;
$246 million tax break for Hollywood;
$248 million for new furniture for Homeland Security Headquarters;
$88 million to the Coast Guard to design a new polar ice breaker (what happened to global warming?);
$75 million for smoking cession;
$200 million for Jr. College computers;
$25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse;
$6 billion to make federal buildings green (hoax);
$500 million for fire stations;
$1.2 billion for “youth activities;”
$160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corp. for Nat. and Community Services;
$5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the V. A. National Cemetery Administration;
$100 million to hazard of lead-based paint;
$110 million to the Farm Service Agency;
$ Untold billions for abortions of women of the world;
$ Untold millions in tax breaks for illegal aliens.
$1.8 million municipal tennis courts Virginia Beach, VA;
$3.75 million “tree canopy protection Virginia Beach, VA;
$886,000 disc golf course Austin, TX;
$200 million neon signs Las Vegas, NV
$4.5 million Eco Park Boynton Beach;
$500 dog run (park) Chula Vista, CA;
$300 golf clubhouse Lincoln, NE;
$6 million 3 water parks Shreveport, LA;
$1.1 million park improvements San Bernardino, CA.
$198 million for Filipinos that fought for the U.S. in WWII.
The Congressional Record will identify all who vote their tyranny.
Sincerely,
Cogito

Posted by: Dave | February 5, 2009, 9:21 am 9:21 am

I am sorry to say that I am greatly disappointed by President Obama as regards to the Omnibus Spending Bill (a.k.a. The Economic Stimulus Package)for what I believe are obvious reasons. What he has done was to allow entrenched pork barrel politicians infuse a stimulus plan with pet projects tht have not one thing to do with stimulating the economy and everything to do with pandering to special interest groups.
The republicans, on the other hand and as usual, rely on the usual cut taxes, cut taxes foolishness. Foolishness because it’s a dead idea for the millions of unemployed. One has to have income, before cutting taxes makes any sense. However, if one were to cut the tax rates of people that earn, or could earn, up to a quarter million dollars per year amd couple that with real stimulus, such as government sponsored infrastructure projects, then you’d have something that would stimulate the economy.
Anyway, its business as usual in Washington, D.C. Nothing has changed, but the cast of characters.

Posted by: John Locke | February 5, 2009, 9:22 am 9:22 am

Dave,
That’s the same list of BS that was posted two weeks or more ago. It was a lie then, and it’s still a lie. Read the facts before you post something this shameful. Makes you look as foolish as the rest of the Republican’ts.

Posted by: Rick | February 5, 2009, 9:23 am 9:23 am

The reason Limbah how ever you spell his name … wants Obama to fail is because his $20 million a year radio career is in jeopardy. So, how does he justify making that much money in this economy along with the rest of the Hollywood Bozo’s and Sports stars?

Posted by: terrie | February 5, 2009, 9:24 am 9:24 am

I believe in the democratic process, includes open debate, crompromise, and consensus. I’m not surprised many rightwingers are spinning Obama as a failure, as they don’t recognize the importance of hearing all sides of an issue. Rightwingers are authoritarian and value the iron glove over compromise. Personally, I am overjoyed with Obama and with the change in tone at the White House. But then, I perhaps have a greater comfort level with policy debate, having attended many a townhall meeting, in my day.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 9:26 am 9:26 am

I believe in the democratic process, which includes open debate, crompromise, and consensus.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 9:28 am 9:28 am

Couldn’t we try something new for a change? How about a bill with absolutely no pork — just the skinny, addressing the problem of a failing economy. Come on Senators and Congressmen, listen to the people who voted you into office — get over your self importance and think of the greater good or their won’t be salaries to tax and ultimately your lives will be impacted. We get the feeling that you really don’t care about the little guy only about what fattens your respective wallet and that you’ve lost your focus (years ago). What we are experiencing today can be attributed to your ineffectiveness as our policy makers over the last decade or so. Address that ineffectiveness and policy making will be possible. No pork should be allowed to be attached to ANY bill!!! EVER!!! Lobbyists you can go home.

Posted by: karen lewis | February 5, 2009, 9:28 am 9:28 am

Bipartisanship is a nice term and worthy goal. But congressional Republicans are a hardcore, hardened group of zealots. Most of the ones left now come from overwhelmingly GOP districts so their seats are safe. Obama’s got to come out of the gate as the boss who lays down the law and show he can play hardball with the best of them, otherwise the GOP will run all over him. But, like Bill Clinton, he seems to be a great learner, and I think he will make the necessary adjustments just fine. Bush never apologized or showed vulnerability. That does not mean Obama should always apologize and show vulnerability. Learning curve is in play.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | February 5, 2009, 9:30 am 9:30 am

Give the guy a break. He’s smart, focused, and trying to save the economy two weeks into his administration. Imagine your first two weeks as president of the United States, not to mention moving your family, etc. EVERY president has a tough time in the first few months. This is just the Republicans doing what they always do, chipping away at him from day 1 on to benefit themselves. The purpose of this bill is to create jobs and it’s what most economists agree is needed. World War II got us out of the last depression because of massive government spending. That’s what’s needed here. There’s a little pork but not a lot and it’s just stupid and self destructive to focus on that when this stimulus is really needed.
Wake UP!!!

Posted by: Leon | February 5, 2009, 9:32 am 9:32 am

We are in for change for sure.
Stopping drilling in Utah, funding this stupid global warming farce, funding worldwide abortions.

Posted by: Melissa Lewis | February 5, 2009, 9:33 am 9:33 am

I’m very much an Obama supporter, but admit that I have some big issues with this so-called “package”. I think the $$$ should go to those entities that will generate jobs and stimulate the economy, etc…. Since when does TV converter boxes create jobs? People should pay for their own damn boxes…. Obama – you’re slipping dude!

Posted by: Cheetah | February 5, 2009, 9:34 am 9:34 am

Ruth – Our great nation elected an African American President. Race is not an issue. STOP playing the race card.
MLKs dream was that people wouldn’t see race. Why are the President’s “supporters” the only ones who seem to see race and keep bringing it up?
People are opposing this bill because it’s politics as usual. The President is letting Pelosi/Reid POLITICS AS USUAL get him into trouble. If he wanted credit for saving the economy, he should have given more input on the bill or he should come out now and say the bill is too much spending and not enough stimulus and do something to get it back on track.
Personally, I don’t want my children and grandchildren saddled with a massive national debt just because the Dems have a majority and can do what they want.

Posted by: findacure1991 | February 5, 2009, 9:35 am 9:35 am

Ordermonger:
Bush beat Kerry by 5 million votes

Posted by: mike | February 5, 2009, 9:38 am 9:38 am

What is wrong with you people. Obama should just let it go let the country go down the tubes and then the american people can start screaming. The republicans do not want this they want the country destroyed and the people are stupid for believing them..haven’t you learn anything from the Bush admin the last eight years.

Posted by: Mary Miculita | February 5, 2009, 9:38 am 9:38 am

By convention wisdom’s standards, the battle to define the stimulus bill is over, done; Obama lost.
*******************************************
Conventional wisdom is simply what the people take away from what the media has decided to push.
For example, that the Iraq war was a neccessity related to the 9/11 attacks.
It is ‘group think’ where people are swayed but what others say.
Obama hasn’t lost anything. He is intelligent enough to analyze the information available and do his own thinking.
Unlike George W. Bush who stood by his ‘principles’ and insisted on what he thought was ‘right’. (think about that folks, because this is what all extremists and fanatics do. The 9/11 attackers were doing what they believed was the ‘principled and right’ thing to do.
President Obama is doing what he believes is right for the country and the American people.(which is what he was hired to do) So no matter what happens in this country, Obama has won, because he comes away with his integrity and self respect intact.
Republicans will always fight for anything that will keep average Americans down, submissive and defeated.

Posted by: Truth Matters | February 5, 2009, 9:38 am 9:38 am

Hey Rick: Here in the real world, saying things are “LIES” doesn’t make it so. There are published facts in Dave’s statement and everyone knows it.
You are the one who looks uninformed and more than a little like you’ve been drinking the Kool Aid.
Looks like the media picked NOW to actually publish the truth, instead of during the campaign.

Posted by: findacure1991 | February 5, 2009, 9:39 am 9:39 am

I fundamentally disagree with socialist sponsored bail outs but resign myself to the reality it will happen. What’s wrong here is the bail out is simply a tool of the left to inject any number of liberal causes. It is NOT solely focused on trying to stimulate the economy; as it should be. Just more spending and a greater burden palced upon the tax paying population. Baked ham for our free market and for any ideas promoting individual self-reliance. Big gubment is here to manage your life from cradle to grave.

Posted by: fedup-again | February 5, 2009, 9:40 am 9:40 am

Rick- Typical Liberal. Attack the messenger without providing any substance.
Provide your list.

Posted by: Dave | February 5, 2009, 9:40 am 9:40 am

I realy do want America fixed but not this way. I have not read all the package but parts. I am worried I will find money going to some group to pay for research on what do pigs think before slaughter when all they have to do is ask us..

Posted by: Jim Rod | February 5, 2009, 9:41 am 9:41 am

Ruth:
You are the only person here, who has mention race. The topic is the stimulus bill. We don’t like it. It is a product of Congress. It has nothing to do with the President’s race. The American people have criticized white President without being accused of racism. Your statements are offensive, ridiculus and embarrassing

Posted by: geary | February 5, 2009, 9:43 am 9:43 am

No it should read:
Arrogance and greed + tax cheats and lobbyists = Our Government !!

Posted by: DM | February 5, 2009, 9:43 am 9:43 am

No it should read:
Arrogance and greed + tax cheats and lobbyists = Our Government !!

Posted by: DM | February 5, 2009, 9:43 am 9:43 am

The result of Democratic liberals forcing lending institutions to provide mortgages to unqualified people
*********************************************
hmmm, where do you get your news from? I can guess!
I seem to remember at least 6 years of George W. Bush standing in front of the AMerican people bragging that he will be remembered for turning more people into homeowners than any other administration.
Somehow the Democrats made him do that?

Posted by: Truth Matters | February 5, 2009, 9:44 am 9:44 am

Fed Up Again…go find some good education somewhere! Paul Volker just said today even this nearly trillion dollar bail out may not be enough! The damge done to America by the Republicans so staggering…it’s going to take several Trillions worth of of public spending to re-start the American economy. If we can find enough helicopters to fly around the country everywhere drop down bundles of cash it would be even better! I saw John McCain mouthing the same nonsense that George Bush did, for eight years. Tax cuts and more tax cuts for the rich! That how we got into this humongous collapse in the first place! Believe me Republicans are up to the same ignorant, partisan and dogmatic nonsense that turn America into a socialist country. But under the circumstances that Republicans left behind, we have no other choice. What we need right now is just like President Obama has proposed more spending! The more we can spend is better and we should as fast as we can and as vast quantities as possible! And only US Government is able to do that, because that Republicans have caused so much damage to our financial system by their poor, incompetent management. And that’s the only way possible to revitalize America. Pork or no pork, focused or unfocused, what we urgently need is more and huge amounts of government spending. All of that is needed to save our America from collapse after all the years of poor judgment and damage done to our country by the Republicans. Republicans are mouthing the same dogmatic stuff and trying to sound like fiscal conservatives, safeguarding interests of the people! Oh, my Lord, look who’s talking? All the damage done to our country over the past years, the same people are asking for same old stuff like tax cuts? I don’t understand what Republicans are all about. They are stuck in the same old worn out rut! All I know is their policies and ideas have ruined our country. After all the devastation done to America by the Republicans by their policies and their actions they are still mouthing the same spectacularly failed ideas! Boehner is saying the same stupid stuff like a trained Myna bird. We have tried all those Republican stuff and our country is not a Socialist state for all practical purposes. We know Republicans have ruined America. But Republican leaders like Kantor, Boehner, McCain, Kyle can’t help but to try selling the same snake oil to us Americans! We need government spending pork or no pork in huge amounts, to save our country from collapse!!!
America is now a socialist Republic thanks to our good old Republicans like John McCain. Remember those big investment banks, hedge funds? Where are they right now? Don’t you realize that America’s banking and financial system has completely collapsed? America is in dire straits─ don’t you still get it? Today John McCain sounded like an old broken record, with same old failed Republican solutions, which got us to this tragic situation in the first place! Katie Kuric, with all due respect to you, I am shocked by your ignorance about America’s economic situation. You sounded as ignorant as John McCain! You have to learn more about America’s great depression and how we overcame it. President Obama is proposing to do is what FDR did to save our country for disintegration. I usually like Sheryl Atkinson’s reporting on government waste. But I think she too is too small-minded to understand the scope of America’s economic crisis and what we should do to overcome it! We all should support our Presidents actions for America’s sake…!To Katie Couric, Sheryl Atkinson and John McCain I like to recommend you read John M. Keynes book ” “Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren” before you open your mouth to talk about the America’s economy!

Posted by: Student of John M. Keynes | February 5, 2009, 9:45 am 9:45 am

I think it’s pretty clear that the Republicans brought this country to its knees after 8 years of almost complete control of our government. Now as our newly elected leaders try to fix this mess and get the country back on track, they have made it clear that they want Obama to fail, in other words the country to sink deeper into complete collapse. America First. Yeah, right.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | February 5, 2009, 9:45 am 9:45 am

There should be no bailout for anyone. The government shouldn’t be borrowing from other countries then government and corporations could get their priorities together not depending on someone to bail them out. They still live their lifestyle at “We the People’s” expense.
Bail out corrupt corporations and let the military go to he## that’s their outlook. Other countries own the US now what’s wrong with the democrat nuts. Are we getting ready for a take over?

Posted by: kerijay | February 5, 2009, 9:47 am 9:47 am

Anyone notice that any topic on Obama has a black person in the forum STILL blaming the white person. A person simply states they don’t like something Obama has done or is doing… and you get someone saying, “Quit hatin cause he’s black! The only reason you don’t like his stimulus package is cause he’s black!” GET OVER IT!

Posted by: Jeff | February 5, 2009, 9:48 am 9:48 am

“know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. ….. but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
________________________________________
Who knew when Obama said this in his inaugural address regarding the Muslim world that the unclenching of the fist would also apply to the GOP.?

Posted by: Paige | February 5, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am

Why don’t you all just let him do his job? I think you all are just trying to discredit him because he is an African American. If he was white, you all would think his plan was outstanding.
Posted by: Ruth
___________________________
And YOU all tried to discredit GWB because he was a Republican. Suppose somebody told you, “just let GWB do his job”. We’d never hear the end of it.
I say Obama should get the same amount of scrutiny any other President should have. I’m afraid the “race card” will not work.

Posted by: marco | February 5, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am

I agree that there is too much pork in the stimulus bill… BUT I also agree that republicans are just being rediculous in there stance… BUT I also agree that much of the pork was pushed in there by congress… BUT it is obvious that much of what republicans want is not going ot help the economy… BUT the Bill is stil not focused enough on job creation… BUT nobody in congress really wants to do what is right
THE ONLY WAY TO REVITALIZE OUR ECONOMY IS TO DRIVE THE WLEATH DOWN TO THE WORKING CLASSES IN THE FORM OF JOBS, HEALTHCARE, MAJOR TAX BREAKS THAT PUTS 100′S OF $$$$ IN THE WORKERS POCKETS EACH MONTH.
The entire foundation of this country is the middle classes and if we do not have money to spend the netire economy will never get better. Tax wirte offs only work if you have money to spend to begin with.. reduce the 25% – 28% tax brackets to 20%, and then things can begin to heal because money will be spent

Posted by: Death to conservatism | February 5, 2009, 9:52 am 9:52 am

Instead of whining and lying the people that post on these blogs should offer advice… after all THEY have all of the answers.

Posted by: MrSleepy | February 5, 2009, 9:53 am 9:53 am

What a shame to see the “Change” president shortchanging us –his supporters. This stimulus package is just a hoax.
I am watching in shock as moderate American and democrat values are being trashed by the Obama administration. I am just in shock that the lobbying influence that Obama promised to avoid has become a chief operating tool for him. I am in shock that a guy who could not even figure out his taxes became treasury secretary. The most shocking thing is to see Obama profusely supproting this guy…..and the many other nominees of his administration who are corrupt.
Now Daschle has gotten out of the way, maybe the HHS position should go to the disgraced ex-governor Rod Blagojevich. At least he wanted the position and he was very vocal about it. Why not? We are beginning to see a new White House with Chicago-style politics. What a “change”, Mr. President!
A proud Obama supporter? I guess I am suffering from “buyer’s remorse” syndrome!

Posted by: O'Neal | February 5, 2009, 9:53 am 9:53 am

Republican strategy: Stir up enough hatred, fear and misinformation to divide the country, create blind and misguided anger to gather enough support for their cause. Karl Rove’s comments in this story underscore this very point. Karl Rove is the master and as my neighbor points out, an evil master, but a master at stiring the country into embracing the old, divided conferate past…It’s also a tactic used sometimes by the CIA in country’s…you destabilize a country by creating political dishevelment and chaos, in doing so you are able to weaken the country and in it’s weakened state, set up a government or get it to negotiate with you on your terms…by taking away it’s power you gain power over it…Don’t allow this to disintigrate and tear our country apart…The republicans want to distract you and keep your attention on the vetted Daschle instead of the years of manipulation, abuse of power, greed, excess, deregulation, hypocrisy, etc. that are the result of failed republican policy. Don’t let them fool you…Be smarter than them. Research the stimulus package and what it really says. Don’t buy what Rush, Fox or your Republican senator du jour says about it…investigate it for yourselves…don’t allow these people to have any more power over you and mislead you into putting them back into power…remember the calamity of the last 8 or more years…let’s help get our country back and maybe get a hold of lawmakers and make your voices heard, make suggestions, go on Biden’s Website devoted to making middle America stronger, send a suggestion to the whitehouse, go on Obama’s facebook page and make a suggestion on how you’d like your money spent…That’s it, don’t give up on him. I still have faith in him and I still have faith in my country. The Republicans want you to believe this great experiment is a failure and I tell, it’s not. We’re only in the beginning, give hope a chance.

Posted by: s | February 5, 2009, 9:54 am 9:54 am

hopesprings52 what about the last 2 years of Polosi and the dem congress not fixing it? They started pushing bills to fix it jsut before the new president was about to come in?? You know as well as I do that they let this happen so the reps would look bad. What about Franks and Waters who oversaw some of the banks and Fannie and Freddie?? They where warned but instaed they said the whistle blowers where almost racist. How dare Polosi and her renegade gang of thieves do this to the American Public!!!

Posted by: Jim Rod | February 5, 2009, 9:55 am 9:55 am

Well … business as usual in our national capital. Am I surprised? NO!! Obama, you promised change and reform in the political process. It has become evident in a very shortamount of time that you were playing America during the campaign. The only “change” you have made so far is the coinage going into pork projects. What a waste!!!!!!!

Posted by: js from tx | February 5, 2009, 9:55 am 9:55 am

Thanks for your resolve Mrsleepy. you saved us all.

Posted by: Jim Rod | February 5, 2009, 9:56 am 9:56 am

A rather large argument I’ve been hearing over the past few weeks is that a lot of this bill isn’t stimulus for the economy but it would pass if it were broken in to two bills. The Reps argument is that only stimulus items should be left in it and all the rest should be placed in another bill. This is nothing more than an argument of semantics and the Reps are holding it up only to prove a point. Very few have argued that the non-stimulus portions wouldn’t pass in a separate bill. The POTUS is trying to streamline the process by putting everything in to one easily managed bill to save time on the process and the Reps are cutting off their noses to spite their face. GET A CLUE REPS….

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 9:56 am 9:56 am

tax cuts for the wealthy will do nothing for this economy but put workers more in the red. Tax credits for improving ones home will do little if there is no money to be spent to begin with. Tax writeoffs for buying a car is stupid. If I can’t afford ot buy a $35K car now then buying a $25K car and geting $1500 back in a year does not change that fact.
tax cuts are needed for the working classes who will spend the 100′s $$$ a month more if they had more of their paychecks to spend.
also universal healthcare will put 100′s more money into workers pockets that will be available for spending
no add in the just job creation stimulus like road infrastucutre green technology infrastrucutre, mass transit infrastructure and whatever else we can do to create lasting jobs and the economy will get better.

Posted by: Death to conservatism | February 5, 2009, 9:57 am 9:57 am

“And YOU all tried to discredit GWB because he was a Republican.”
No, Bush discredited himself because he is an idiot.
“Anyone notice that any topic on Obama has a black person in the forum STILL blaming the white person.”
That’s not true at all. And how do you know Ruth is black?

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 9:57 am 9:57 am

Forgive me, I have wireless keyboard and it’s running out of batteries, but ammendment, I meant Karl Rove uses a tactic to stir old confederate passions, he did this to help gain Bush his presidency and yes, the CIA has been known to use destabilization tactics to stir up discontention in a country serve to weaken or distract it while it is able to manipulate and take hold of the government, etc. So, anyways, sorry about that…and I hope my message got across, believe in Hope and give Obama a change…make suggestions, don’t give into misguided anger and hate.

Posted by: S | February 5, 2009, 9:58 am 9:58 am

This guy is going to ruin this nation. Both Financially and politically. Cheney was right what he said yesterday.

Posted by: Bob | February 5, 2009, 9:59 am 9:59 am

Tough week for the Pres.
1. House passed a partisan Stimulus Scam; biapartisans voted against it;
2. His taxpayer funded abortions for the women of the world has been unfavorably viewed by the taxpayer.
3. Signed a SCHIPS bill providing free (LOL) insurance for “children” up to age 30 in housholds who’s earnings range from $80,000-100,000 to be paid for by taxpayers earning $35,000.
4. Bitch-slapped by Egypt for sticking his nose into the Kashmir issue.
5. Bitch-slapped by the EU for attempting to void trade agreements in his stimulus plan.
6. Bitch-slapped by Iran, to whom he has made overtures of peace, when they rejected our girls badmiton team from participating in their tournament.
7. A drop in approval rating from 80% at inauguration to 39% two weeks later.
8. Increased tax on Cigs up to $0.62 per package, while doling our $75,000,000 for smoking cessation programs.
9. Increased envrionmental demands on American automobiles, while bailing them out of current bankruptsy.
10. Caps executive salaries who are on the taxpayer dole, while allowing people like Daschle, and Bill Clinton to earn millions while their huge retirement package is on the taxpayer dole.
Tough, tough two weeks.
A government powerful enough to grant you rights is powerful enough to take them away.

Posted by: Dave | February 5, 2009, 9:59 am 9:59 am

President Hussein’s goal seems to be the ruination of America. Looks like he’s doing a fine job – on THAT score. God save us from this junior senator from Illinois and his crooked Cook County co-horts.

Posted by: Rose | February 5, 2009, 10:02 am 10:02 am

Ordermonger:
Bush beat Kerry by 5 million votes
Posted by: mike
**********************************
Mike, you need to go back and review
your elementry school books again. The
Presidential election is determined by
electoral votes, NOT individual votes.
Your 5 million vote count is also inaccurate.

Posted by: spacerook1 | February 5, 2009, 10:03 am 10:03 am

List of Lobbyists Obama has appointed, after his hopey changey war on lobbyist press conference:
Here are former lobbyists Obama has tapped for top jobs:
Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm [now confirmed].
Tom Vilsack, secretary of agriculture nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year on behalf of the National Education Association.
William Lynn, deputy defense secretary nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for defense contractor Raytheon, where he was a top executive.
William Corr, deputy health and human services secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until last year for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a non-profit that pushes to limit tobacco use.
David Hayes, deputy interior secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until 2006 for clients, including the regional utility San Diego Gas & Electric.
Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for financial giant Goldman Sachs.
Ron Klain, chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, was registered to lobby until 2005 for clients, including the Coalition for Asbestos Resolution, U.S. Airways, Airborne Express and drug-maker ImClone.
Mona Sutphen, deputy White House chief of staff, was registered to lobby for clients, including Angliss International in 2003.
Melody Barnes, domestic policy council director, lobbied in 2003 and 2004 for liberal advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the American Constitution Society and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Cecilia Munoz, White House director of intergovernmental affairs, was a lobbyist as recently as last year for the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group.
Patrick Gaspard, White House political affairs director, was a lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union.
Michael Strautmanis, chief of staff to the president’s assistant for intergovernmental relations, lobbied for the American Association of Justice from 2001 until 2005.

Posted by: thefoxisinthehenhouse | February 5, 2009, 10:03 am 10:03 am

Stop this stupid stimulus! This is not a stimulus, it is a PORK package. Give each and every TAXPAYER money to spend. Don’t give it to people who don’t work or don’t pay taxes. Give it to people who paid taxes. That would exclude Democrats.

Posted by: Katie | February 5, 2009, 10:03 am 10:03 am

8 years of Bush screwing up this country’s economy, getting us into an illegal war in Iraq, losing the respect of other countries including our allies and generally making a colossal mess of things and nobody—particularly the mainstream press and so-called political experts (Politico is just a bunch of opinionated blowhards with no real purpose) and especially Republicans and their supporters—saying nothing.
But now that President Obama is trying to undo the very damage Bush was allowed to get away with causing, all of a sudden there is much fussing and cussing everywhere. The only people upset with the idea of a stimulus package are Republicans who are by nature selfish, deceitful and unfair, their supporters (especially in the racist South)and the press.
Everyone else is just waiting for the d*mned thing to be passed.

Posted by: princess9681 | February 5, 2009, 10:03 am 10:03 am

Who is the “fear mongerer” now? If we dont spend half a billion on growing the government and wasteful pet projects then the damage will be irreversable he says! How about giving us an actual ECONOMIC Stimulus Bill instead of this GOVERNMENT Stimulus Bill they are trying to dupe us into now. This is nothing more than a government power grab and its unconscionable. He is what I thought he was…..a politician bent on giving the government as much control over our lives as possible. Has he even made an attempt to deliver on a single promise other than to close guantanamo yet?

Posted by: Curt | February 5, 2009, 10:03 am 10:03 am

Posted by: sgrams | February 5, 2009, 10:03 am 10:03 am

The 1st BAILOUT was rushed and passed. What do you think about it? Have you read the new bill? Should it be rushed? Have you listened to what independent (NOT affiliated with either party) ‘experts’ have said about this bill? Are you willing to burden yourselves and your children? You can tell your senators how you feel at: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am

I also see a lot of arguments on here that for the past two years of a Dem congress that nothing was done to pass anything. You have to keep in mind that they couldn’t get anything passed with 43 in the office not willing to sign the bill(s) that the Dems offered. Now that the Dems have majority and the Oval Office, there still has to be an ability to pass the bills. It’s a lot easier now but there is still the party of “NO” i.e. the Reps. Just enough of them to hold things up. The POTUS is trying to change what is being passed but without a filibuster proof majority, there still has to be a consensus. So to those naysayers out there that think they can blame the POTUS for not getting change…..he’s trying and being held up by the very party that was voted out because of their inability to change.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am

“President Hussein’s goal seems to be the ruination of America.”
Actually, it’s President Obama. Hussein is his middle name. And would you care to explain yoursef?

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am

I’m sort of surprised that affirmative action isn’t working for Obama post-election.

Posted by: tina | February 5, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am

O’Neal
That’s right. Give up to Limbaugh now. Let him give you your orders. I mean, otherwise, you maybe required to think for yourself. That could be haaaard. You might have to hold two contradictory thoughts in your head at the same time. You might have to weigh competing ideas, such as, which will grow the economy better, cutting taxes for rich people alot or cutting taxes for everybody a little? Golly, why does living in a free country have to be so haaard? Better just throw in the towel and let the rightwingers tell you what to think.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 10:05 am 10:05 am

Funny thing is, the economy was clicking right along until around 2006 when Angela Pelosi took over the House and said “We are going to change this country”
Well, she did. It hasn’t been the same since.

Posted by: Mac | February 5, 2009, 10:06 am 10:06 am

tina
aren’t you a snarky little —–.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 10:08 am 10:08 am

Interesting Statistics
Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law,
St. Paul, Minnesota, points out facts of 2008 Presidential election:
Number of States won by:
Democrats: 19
Republicans: 29
Square miles of land won by:
Democrats: 580,000
Republicans: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by:
Democrats: 127 million
Republicans: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Democrats: 13.2
Republicans: 2.1
Professor Olson adds:
“In aggregate, the map of the territory won by Republicans
was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country.
Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in
government-owned tenements and living off various forms of
government welfare.
Professor Olson believes the United States is now somewhere
between the “complacency and apathy” phase of Professor Tyler’s
definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation’s
population already having reached the “governmental dependency” phase.

Posted by: Mac | February 5, 2009, 10:10 am 10:10 am

The cost of each job created under this new bill is over $233,000! Who is this bill really going to help? If you don’t want to call your senator to ask them question each and every line (as Mr Obama said he would do in his campaign promises), then you could be allowing your future to go the way of the great 1930′s depression.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 10:10 am 10:10 am

“Stop this stupid stimulus! This is not a stimulus, it is a PORK package. Give each and every TAXPAYER money to spend. Don’t give it to people who don’t work or don’t pay taxes. Give it to people who paid taxes. That would exclude Democrats.”
As was mentioned in this thread, the pork portion of this bill is relatively minimal. The gist of the bill is to create jobs, not take a loan from China and give the money to you. Please tell me what portion of this bill is going to welfare. And why do you say that Democrats don’t pay taxes? Is it because of the news concerning Obama’s recent appointments? Trust me on this one…you wouldn’t like the results if everybody on the Hill got audited.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 10:11 am 10:11 am

Dave,
I’m not even sure how to respond to that list of false claims (Obama’s approval rather is 39% strong approval plus 25% approval, adding up to 64% in a poll that previously showed his high at 68%, quite switching polls and cherry picking info)….but I really just want to focus on that last sentence because if you are worried about rights being taken away you needed to start worrying way before Obama starting with wire tapping under Bush, torture and detainment of a US citizen without access to a fair and speedy trial, or even any charges currently filed against him (Jose Padilla in Gitmo), not to mention the other prisoners there. Jose Padilla may even be guilty but thanks to Bush’s policies he will walk free.

Posted by: Ordermonger | February 5, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am

I am beginning to think that people want him to fail because he is black. I hesitate to say this because I hate to believe this but when Rush refers to his black father it makes me wonder. Of course, he has a black father what’s the point? I think he has the intelligence to do a great job and if people would give him a chance, maybe we would be surprised. The republicans especially Boechner has not stopped since day one to condemn anything he does or suggests. The first day…how is that bi-partisan? My God he has only been in for three weeks and he already has signed some bills. It took other presidents much longer to produce some action. He is young and has the energy to do what is necessary. JUST GIVE HIM A CHANCE.

Posted by: Pat Napolitano Marietta. Ga. | February 5, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am

Jobless, I can see why you are JOBLESS. The mayors and governors support the stimulus because they need money because they don’t know how to balance a budget. It’s that simple…like all the irresponsible homeowners who bought houses they couldn’t afford the mayors and governors have budgets full of programs that shouldn’t exist. Local governments are overstaffed and overpaid and nobody wants to fix that.

Posted by: Bye-Bye American Dream | February 5, 2009, 10:15 am 10:15 am

For all the cost Obama has passed on to us the taxpayers… I guess you could call this real (Chump) “Change!” More bailouts for Billionaires, record unemployment (at least the one the govt. DOES count anyway) and Surprise NO money for bankrupt states who are left with IOU’s while Wall St. bankers get taxpayer handouts/bonuses for running their companies into the ground and wiping out retirement and pensions plans! Oh boy, where do I sign up for another four years of this garbage??? Jimmy Carter would be PROUD!!!

Posted by: hmn... | February 5, 2009, 10:19 am 10:19 am

We will see how every one likes this stimulis bill in 6 months… I believe that this is more fuel for the fire consuming the world economy.

Posted by: as if | February 5, 2009, 10:21 am 10:21 am

65% approval. http://www.pollingreport.com/obama_job.htm
Come on people stop dividing this country and work together. This bill may have some “pork” in it but by and large many of the programs have a stimulate effect. I venture that many of you have not even read the bill and rely only on your right wing blowhards to tell you what to think.

Posted by: Jim | February 5, 2009, 10:21 am 10:21 am

All I have to say is that if this package was written without ANY demonuts input they would be the one’s crying. Wait…a lot of those hope & change demonuts are crying anyway! Could it be that the talker-not-a-walker new age socialist prez is failing to keep everyone on his 500+ campaign promises list happy? Inexperience always revels itself at the worst of times, and usually too late. A novice indeed is in charge of the greed.

Posted by: mogo | February 5, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am

Posted by: Dave | Feb 5, 2009 9:21:16 AM
I sure would like to know where you get your figures because I have looked through this bill in depth and I see no money allocated for ACORN. This is a myth perpetrated by the right wing media. Stop spouting talking points and lies and start educating yourself instead of relying on others to tell you what to think.

Posted by: Jim | February 5, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am

Don’t you just feel sorry for poor old Uncle “Ream Us”?

Posted by: Lee | February 5, 2009, 10:27 am 10:27 am

Posted by: Mac | Feb 5, 2009 10:10:29 AM
You have got to be kidding! This is the most manipulation of data I have ever seen. Statistics show that for every dollar paid in taxes left leaning states get less back than right leaning states.

Posted by: Jim | February 5, 2009, 10:27 am 10:27 am

President Obama has lost control of nothing. In fact he is making republicans and some political analysts look foolish as they try attack him for not being George Bush. Obama won the battle for the stimulus in one announcement on February 4th when he declared that some greedy CEO’s salary’s would be capped. He gained political capital, not lost it. Obama is so above the norm of political gossip mongers that they just don’t get. They will all find out soon, when he is victorious in leading us out of our economic disaster.

Posted by: bob10001 | February 5, 2009, 10:27 am 10:27 am

I just want to ask this simple question. Why do Reps constantly try to initiate fear in to their arguments? They constantly call the POTUS Hussein rather than Obama. This is intentionally done to provoke a thought of a terrorist. I see links to back up some of their arguments but only to offbeat, back ally neo-con sites that skew the facts. Rush is used quite often but he is only an entertainer, not a policy maker. Facts are thrown out there such as this from Bye-Bye American Dream, “The mayors and governors support the stimulus because they need money because they don’t know how to balance a budget.” Is this to insinuate that 43 did balance a budget? He not only never did, but he more than doubled the national debt in only 8 years. This was primarily because of a war that didn’t need to be fought….and before you say anything…I was there in Iraq in 04. If Reps only went off of facts and didn’t use arguments that also apply to themselves…they would have no argument at all. That’s why they use fear.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 10:28 am 10:28 am

The bill is just a pay of for democrat supporters!! This will define Obama..

Posted by: for sure | February 5, 2009, 10:29 am 10:29 am

I very much support Obama’s stimulus package. The main gripe I hear from experts is that it’s way too little. But it’s a start. I do like Mitch McConell’s idea of getting interest rates down to 4% or lower. That would stimulate homebuying and homepreserving and pump money into consumer spending through massive refinancings. And it would be an almost immediate pick me up. I think the choices Obama has made our good ones – we can all disagree on how best to spend it, but it’s a positive start. Business leaders and economic experts all agree on that.
Obama needs to do a better job of selling it because the GOP will try to paint it all as pork. Though they just gave away $750 billion to the big banks and who knows who else for who knows what. The folks they gave that money to won’t even tell us how they’re using it or where it is. All we know is that it’s not going where we were told it would be. And now the GOP is having its fun taking potshots. What a load of BS!!

Posted by: hopesprings52 | February 5, 2009, 10:29 am 10:29 am

Rick Klein and others may hear the president saying ‘I won’, or they’ve created their own new headline. I hear the president saying ‘the majority of American voters’ voted against the policies of GW. Quite a difference. Klein and his media peers have somehow decided the president has ‘lost’. How do they figure that? It is a subjective opinion with no basis in fact. It is also akin to a loosely knit Goebbels propaganda machine which moves American opinion one way and then the other. Klein and his ilk are in effect cheap shot artists who undercut any effort, by either party , to do some good things in the country. The only thing worse than their yellow journalism is that so many Americans are gullible enough to bit on every piece of empty gossip.

Posted by: Pete | February 5, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am

This is outrageous. Say NO to wastefull spending!
-$4.19 billion in slush funds for ACORN, the left-wing advocacy group best known for allegations of voter fraud during the 2008 presidential campaign
- $600 million to buy brand new cars for government bureaucrats
- $335 million for adult sex workshops (one of the few line items which could conceivably deliver “stimulus” )
- $150 million for honeybee insurance
- $2.8 billion for the US Department of Agriculture in a misdirected program more likely be spent to build unnecessary broadband internet services in urban areas than in the rural areas that lack service.

Posted by: realnyer | February 5, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am

Pat Napolitano Marietta. Ga. | Feb 5, 2009 10:12:37 AM…..Only liberals bring up the color issue.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 10:31 am 10:31 am

Congress is a privileged class. They have high wages, secure housing, and the best health care and retirement in the nation. They can leave hurting people swinging in the wind. They can nitpick for political reasons while ordinary people starve. Congress has got theirs.
If ordinary people don’t start yelling, the naysayers will do to us what they did in the last eight years–shovel money to rich CEO’s and ponzi schemers like Madoff while ordinary people starve. Support Obama. Get this stimulus and a whole lot more done!

Posted by: JAB | February 5, 2009, 10:33 am 10:33 am

Professor Olson believes the United States is now somewhere
between the “complacency and apathy” phase of Professor Tyler’s
definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation’s
***********************************
Mac, Your so called professor Olson can believe
anything he wants. His statistics are irrevelent to
the actual election. It was a waste of his time
gathering biased data to make a worthless
statement. I hope he didn’t spend this time on
the College time clock. If so, then the Dean should
make sure he is spending more time with the
students special needs instead of his own.

Posted by: spacerook1 | February 5, 2009, 10:35 am 10:35 am

hopesprings52 | Feb 5, 2009 10:29:37 AM…..Have you read the bill???

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 10:35 am 10:35 am

“I sure would like to know where you get your figures because I have looked through this bill in depth and I see no money allocated for ACORN.”
That’s because it’s not there. It very clearly states that there will be a competitive process for distributing that money. This is how the Republicans operate and it’s absolutely pathetic and beyond reprehensible. They know that most of their constituents don’t read and can’t think for themselves, so they just say what they want to say and many of them believe it. It’s the Karl Rove gameplan. They know their base.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 10:36 am 10:36 am

Given where we are, this is as good as we are going to get. It won’t work but it might prevent street violence and other impacts of unemployment while we wait for the business cycle to turn. The Republican plan won’t work eiher. Both parties are denying reality. One believes we can stimulate the economy with spending on just about anything. The other thinks tax cuts are the answer to every problem. Both are wrong. Instead of focusing on capping compensation on failed executives and putting failed compaies on welfare we should simply have let these companies go (CEO compensation becomes zero not a floor price of $500,000). The bank failure causes the government to bail out depositors (who are much more likely to spend, invest, or even lend than banks that are trying to salvage executive perks, board members’ egos, and shareholder profits. When a companies that have lost Billions and continue to lose money despite huge injections of capital from taxpayers (who were not given a choice not to “invest”)the salary required to retain such “talent” is, at best, zero.

Posted by: dem-dog | February 5, 2009, 10:36 am 10:36 am

Government’s new American Motto: “In Debt We Trust.”

Posted by: Geo | February 5, 2009, 10:36 am 10:36 am

What I find amazing is how soon some of forget President Obama has been in office for all of two weeks and it his fault you have got to be kidding me have you all forgot Bush 8 years and not one time did he said I SCREWED UP
give this President a chance unless you were rich you lived high off the hog for the past 8 years while the rest of the country lost the shirts off there backs give the man a chance

Posted by: bonita | February 5, 2009, 10:36 am 10:36 am

“For all the cost Obama has passed on to us the taxpayers.”..Let me get this straight, it wasn’t Bush and Paulson who just dumped 350 billion out there somewhere, taxpayers money that is, you think Obama did that? He hasn’t signed any bills except for Health Care for children (yesterday) so where are you coming up with all ‘the cost Obama has passed on to us’?? Loons on the left-retards on the right.

Posted by: Dean | February 5, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am

if obama’s stimulous package, however it ends up, restores the nation’s economy close to what it was before the meltdown in terms of the people’s assets excluding housing, he will easily be elected for a second term. if obama’s stimulous package fails, he will be swept out of office by the outrage of voters. failure, on obama’s part, might also start the calls for his impeachment. make no mistake, this is about obama and his administration. it is not about the previous administration. obama needs to produce and keep his campaign promises some of which he has already broken. the adoration of obama has got to cease and reset to reality. obama makes a huge mistake if he believes he has political capital to spend, that is the same thing bush thought his second term and he became the most hated president ever.

Posted by: Lawrence | February 5, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am

Mac
Why do Republicans have to spin, lie and smear to make their arguments?
Your statistics make it sound like Democrats are some bizarre race of people who arrived here from the planet Mars.
I have a moderately large family that includes Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, Evangelical Christians, and one wild Libertarian. I also call them my sisters, nieces, nephews, in-laws and brother.
Some of us own land, some don’t. Some of us have college degrees, some of us are bluecollar workers. We vote for different candidates, but every Thanksgiving we sit at the same table. I would give my life for my Republican relatives, and they value what I have to give them. We are family. That’s America, too.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am

Zillions of $ for “energy” programs, but those folks who respect the Oval Office fry in their suit jackets while the primary occupant conducts business in his shirtsleeves AND DRILLS THE THERMOSTAT UP FOR MORE HEAT????
NOW…THAT’S CHANGE FOR YOU!!!

Posted by: just joe | February 5, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am

Pat Napolitano Marietta. Ga. | Feb 5, 2009 10:12:37 AM…..Only liberals bring up the color issue.
Posted by: deanbob
****************************************
Somebody better tell limbaugh that.

Posted by: spacerook1 | February 5, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am

dont blame the Republicans for this. The Democrats are going crazy and throwing all kinds of nonsense into this bill and trying to scare us into passing it. Just like the last 350 BILLION that did nothing for us !!! Cut this bill in half and get rid of the pork that Obama CAMPAIGNED AGAINST. 2 weeks of this new Administration and we see bad nominees, ABortion for everyone, closing Gitmo and letting those terrorists loose again and now this huge bill that will burden us forever. Only lazy people who dont work want this bill to succeed- they think Obama is going to pay for their house and their gas etc… Change we can believe in —-what a freakin joke !!!

Posted by: jimbo | February 5, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am

Faith based office now?
Obama is Bush 2. My support for him is rapidly dropping to the Bush level.
I’ve said it for years: We live in a communist country. Democrats and Rpublicans: Two sides of the same coin.

Posted by: Dan | February 5, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am

“Pat Napolitano Marietta. Ga. | Feb 5, 2009 10:12:37 AM…..Only liberals bring up the color issue.”
Not that I think it was justified in this case, but your implication is ridiculous. There are WAY more racists on the right. In fact, every racist I know votes Republican. Of those that I know to be racist, anyway. That’s a fact.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am

“This is outrageous. Say NO to wastefull spending!
-$4.19 billion in slush funds for ACORN, the left-wing advocacy group best known for allegations of voter fraud during the 2008 presidential campaign”
Always good to lead with a flat-out lie.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 10:39 am 10:39 am

you know what, if republicans can’t work with obama, more of them need to be kicked out. The american people are SO SICK of this hackling. WE thought we cured it, we kicked out as many rpeublicans as we could, still they ar causing trouble???? More need to go. HOnestly. Eight years of republicans got us into this trouble, they are NOT going to be who we turn to in order to fix it. ONLY when things are better would we trust them with even a little power. If they think that by tanking this economy THEN we will turn to them they are sorely wrong. We will only blame them for their obstructionist behavior. WE VOTED FOR OBAMA!! GET OUT OF THE WAY! WORK WITH HIM OR WE WILL THROW YOU OUT!!!!! LISTEN OR LOOSE BIG IN THE MIDTERMS!!!

Posted by: frank | February 5, 2009, 10:40 am 10:40 am

Chuck S | Feb 5, 2009 10:28:52 AM…….If you’re going to focus on the past, why not focus on the 1930′s? Only WW2 got us out of that mess.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 10:40 am 10:40 am

WELL DONE OBAMA,YOU ARE WORKING FOR
REGULAR AMERICAN PEOPLE..THAT BUNCH OF
REPUBLICAN SENATORS THEY ARE NOT LOSING
HOMES,HEALTH CARE INSURANCE AND THEY
GET A FAT CHECK EVERY WEEK….STICK TO
THE PEOPLE..YOU ARE DOING VERY GOOD
SO FAR.

Posted by: ROBERT | February 5, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am

Ruth grow up. It’s a bad piece of legislation no matter who presents it. The race card is getting old. Let’s just look at the facts. THIS BILL STINKS!!!!!

Posted by: Tommy | February 5, 2009, 10:43 am 10:43 am

Congress needs to wake up fast and veto this bill. It needs alot of work. Getting it wrong will be much more painful in the short and long run. Why is over $1 Billion going to Puerto Rico including millions for new PR museums and little league parks? Latest I heard that PR voted to not join the union and told the US military to leave PR; let’s honor their wishes by not including PR in the stimulus. Most of the jobs created in the current stimulus are short term construction jobs with low-pay. Many stimulus projects are fractured and isolated to individual cities, rather than a cohesive approach. This current stimulus bill needs massive trimming to a bare minimum projects – the schools and the green power, and closely examined for a well-thought-out Stimulus II package. Let’s do the right thing for the country, not a rushed mistake-filled botched bill that will be painful for decades.

Posted by: Cathy | February 5, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am

Posted by: enoughalready | February 5, 2009, 10:45 am 10:45 am

This bill is DOA with the American people that have read it. Billions for a ACORN?? Get real. This needs to be stripped down to housing relief, infrastructure, and middle class and business tax cuts PERIOD. A real leader would trash it and put together a hand picked bipartisan Congressional committee to rewrite it from SCRATCH. Trying to throat cram this porked up hot mess of a bill by the weekend will be the death nail for Obama’s administration. The taxpayers are ready to revolt!!

Posted by: fairpolitics2009 | February 5, 2009, 10:45 am 10:45 am

silky–What do you call the 96% of black Americans that voted for BHO? And don’t you just love the “My President is black” rap video. When it comes to racism, black Americans are leading the pack.
In your mind you probably call them patriotic.
I call them bigots.
Posted by: enoughalready
—————————————-
I totally agree and you are not alone in feeling this way by far!

Posted by: Tommy | February 5, 2009, 10:47 am 10:47 am

Let’s be sure we all understand the economics of any stimulus package. Our society has unlimited wants with limted resources. Therefore, any stimulas will achieve limited satisfaction; there will be some unhappy and some happy.
ReplayCommunicator 10:43 AM…..great post.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 10:48 am 10:48 am

“Pat Napolitano Marietta. Ga. | Feb 5, 2009 10:12:37 AM…..Only liberals bring up the color issue.
Posted by: deanbob
****************************************
Somebody better tell limbaugh that.”
Not to mention the former RNC Chairman.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 10:49 am 10:49 am

I live in the hills of Kentucky and we are on our 9th day without electric. A generator and kerosene heater have kept us warm and with some electricity. Our neighbors live on disabilty and it is costing them almost their entire monthly check for fuel. How are they, like millions of Americans suppose to pay for this pork package? I don’t think our congress represent the average American family, as they don’t live in the real world. They should be ashamed of their waistful spending and greed. Go ahead, line your pocket some more. We don’t have anything else to give.
Posted by: sgrams |
************************************
Sgrams, Did your Governor. request disaster
relief. Is the Red Cross, or National Guard helping?
Since there are a lot of rural areas, it is more
difficult in reaching these remote sites. Just this
same winter we had a massive ice storm and
there were areas that didn’t receive power in 7
days. and this was near a city with over 150K.

Posted by: spacerook1 | February 5, 2009, 10:49 am 10:49 am

The right thing for the country is to get a good stimulus bill passed, not practice stodgy wait and see policies as GW did-look what happened to us. The Hoover practices are out and as risky as the stimulus package might be, sitting around with our thumbs in the wrong places will only serve to sink the ship.

Posted by: Erik | February 5, 2009, 10:49 am 10:49 am

According to ABCNews: “A full month into 2009 consumer confidence is off to its worst yearly start in weekly polling since late 1985. “

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 10:50 am 10:50 am

It’s pork and a political payback to all the people and Unions that got the Dems elected. Pure and simple.
Honest question, how can anyone really consider this an Emergency Stimulus plan when most of the spending doesn’t hit the streets for 2 years?
There is no defense for that. None.

Posted by: Mac | February 5, 2009, 10:51 am 10:51 am

Posted by: Henry | February 5, 2009, 10:51 am 10:51 am

deanbob- What on Earth are you refering to? What past am I talking about? I’ve only been talking about what’s going on right now and on this blog.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 10:52 am 10:52 am

Card’s observations about the dress code in the White House are absurd. Remind me of the days when our company went business casual, our business continued to grow and prosper but some people just about died thinking we were doomed without the hanging ropes around our necks. Get a life Card. As for Obama’s ratings, his job ratings are very stable and his favorable standing is still high at 75%. A 2-3 pt wobble is nothing. I’ll start to be concerned if it ever (and it won’t) gets to Bush’s 20-22%.

Posted by: Mark | February 5, 2009, 10:52 am 10:52 am

Erik | Feb 5, 2009 10:49:44 AM……And set the same results as the 1st BAILOUT?

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am

Doom and gloom politics
Government is not the answer. Never has been, never will be.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am

Actually, for the record Obama never said, “I’m sorry”. He just said that he screwed up. Admitting a mistake and apologizing for it are 2 different things. Just because you admit a mistake doesn’t mean you apologized for it. Also, Bush said in interviews during his last few months that he screwed up regarding the “Mission Accomplished” speech in the beginning of the war. Selective journalism is not good journalism.

Posted by: AL | February 5, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am

What we need to do as Americans is to look at the Members of Congress and their voting records (either R or D) in our districts and see how they have stood on this stimulas package. We need to hold them accountable!!! How many times do you hear/see the same people getting re-elected and we continue to hear about the same problems!!! We need to get these people out of office if they are not going to help our Nation get back on its feet. We need to get some new blood in Washington. Obama promised change and all we got was the same. All of us on these blogs have different views and prospectives on how we would/should/can handled this current economic crisis. But as long as the old guard is in office it will continue. They are only worried about getting re-elected for the next 2-year term and what they can do for their districts. As long as businesses are worried about expansion and people are made to feel fearful of “what tomorrow is going to bring” nothing will get better. Fear can paralyze the best of a Nation.

Posted by: Darlene | February 5, 2009, 10:55 am 10:55 am

“silky–What do you call the 96% of black Americans that voted for BHO? And don’t you just love the “My President is black” rap video. When it comes to racism, black Americans are leading the pack.”
I call them the same people who have voted the Democratic ticket going back to the 60s. Never seen or heard of the video, but I’m guessing that only a handful of people were involved in making it. And finally, it’s completely understandable that black Americans harbor some residual resentment over the generations of wicked abuse at the hand of white people. Their racism is based on being wronged…redneck racism is based on plain bigotry. Big difference. But let’s not get stuck on this.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 10:55 am 10:55 am

Cathy said…”Congress needs to wake up fast and veto this bill. It needs alot of work.”
————————————–
You are kidding me right? You do know that Congress can’t veto…at least I hope you do. If you didn’t then you have business being in this debate. Only the President has the Veto. Congress can only vote or overturn a presidential veto.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am

Silky,
It must be hard for people to hear you speak with that chip on your shoulder.

Posted by: Tim | February 5, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am

The Republicans can then be blamed for hurting middle class Americans, who are losing jobs by the thousands, for political games. They pass 700 billion (plus another 150 billion in pork)in less than 2 weeks for Wall Street, including foreign companies, but something to help the middle class must be debated for months if not years. Republicans are against average Americans, anyone who doesn’t believe that is a fool. That extra 150 billion in pork added so Republicans would pass it had everything from money for wooden arrows to money for rum makers. Under Republican Bush Obama inhertited a record deficit, and the 10 billion a month Bush borrowed for the war did nothing to help average Americans. Now they are against spending? What a joke!

Posted by: Hege! | February 5, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am

Mac
The stimulus plan includes a payroll tax cut retroactive to January 1st. If the stimulus passes thats more money in everyone’s paycheck. Immediately.
Just curious, who is feeding you Republican talking points? Limbaugh? FOX? You do realize they would prefer to “grow the economy” the same way they have for the past eight years: by cutting taxes for the top 1%?

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am

Posted by: Dean | Feb 5, 2009 10:37:01 AM………What party passed that BAILOUT (that 89% of the voters were against)? If the bill was not passed, Bush couldn’t have signed it.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am

I didn’t vote for the current POTUS but I will say – I support the stimulus package. People, please do your homework! The fact is less than 2% of the bill is part of the trash that the republicans is telling the US that needs to be cut out. Read Please! The facts are being skewed! Stop listening to talk radio! People need help now and the long range goals will benefit our future as well. People please read the bill. It will help the US – Just Read!

Posted by: Mike | February 5, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am

Ruth: “Why don’t you all just let him do his job? I think you all are just trying to discredit him because he is an African American. If he was white, you all would think his plan was outstanding.”
No, if he were George W. Bush, most of the posters on here wouldn’t be on here.

Posted by: Wallis Warfield Simpson | February 5, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am

silky–Look up the Dept. of Justice crime stats to find out who “has been wronged” for the last 2 generations.
Slavery ceased to exist 140+ years ago. Get over it.

Posted by: enoughalready | February 5, 2009, 11:03 am 11:03 am

The Democrats got what they wanted — control. Why is everyone so surprised at the outcome?

Posted by: MyFellowAmericans | February 5, 2009, 11:05 am 11:05 am

625,000 filed jobless claims last week. Pass the PORKULUS bill, and that jobless number will continue to climb.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:05 am 11:05 am

“Silky,
It must be hard for people to hear you speak with that chip on your shoulder.”
What makes you say I have a chip on my shoulder? My comments on racism? I’m white. Otherwise, I don’t know what you’re refering to.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am

amy–Your “immediate, retroactive” money adds up to about $40 for the average American wage earner.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am

Obama will never give Pelosi this much control over his legislative agenda again. Pelosi did not deliver a clean bill, and it’s costing him on the message front, but only somewhat. Don’t forget, once the Senate passes it, it still has to be reconciled by both bodies. Despite the lack of message control, Obama will get his stimulus bill, and I’m betting when the Friday’s job numbers come out and Governors and Mayors start becoming more desperate about their pleas for help, do not be surprised if more and more Republicans ultimately end up voting for it. It was a messy first legislative victory, but it will be a victory. Republicans never had any intention of voting for this. They want 90% tax cuts, with perhaps the rest for unemployment insurance, food stamps, etc. They never were going to improve ANY infrastructure development. Obama is smart, smart, smart. If he had waited, you can be sure that no $$$ for construction or green jobs would have been championed by the Republicans in any form or fashion. I’m a registered Democrat, but I voted for Bush!!! Twice!! It became apparent to me during his 2nd term, that Bush was intellectually over his head and Cheney was essentially running the country. Obama in his first two weeks is already much, much better. Capable of complex, rigorous analysis and an ability to be able to handle more than one thing at a time, and the humility to admit when he has made a mistake. Already, much, much better. The country elected the right man for the job. Can you imagine McCain trying to wrestle with the economy? A total incompetent, AND he’d have us in another war in 6 months. The train has left the station with this bill, and when the House and Senate start reconciling the 2 versions, Republicans in not-so-safe districts better get on board. I’m betting they will.

Posted by: Laura Brown | February 5, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am

We heard the fear-mongering when the sale of TARP bailout was going on. The same is going on here.
Those who think this bill should go through need to actually look at the bill. It wasn’t just republicans who voted against it, there were also 11 democrats. There are also over 300 economists that have placed full page ads in New York Times, Washington Post, and in other national publications to say that this bill is not the answer. Polls show that the majority of Americans are against this bill. This has nothing to do with what your political beliefs are. It has to do with what is actually in this bill and the future of our country.
Do further research yourself and ask if the proposed spending makes sense that it will get people spending right now and create jobs? Will it stimulate people to buy houses? Is this going to get you spending more? Is it going to make businesses feel better about the future of the economy so that they will hire more people?
The amount of money that we don’t have that is being proposed to spend in this bill is mind-boggling. The cost is about $4000 for every single citizen.

Posted by: freedomcitizen | February 5, 2009, 11:08 am 11:08 am

Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s home district includes San
Francisco.
** **
Star-Kist Tuna’s headquarters are in San Francisco , Pelosi’s
home district.
** **
Star-Kist is owned by Del Monte Foods and is a major
contributor to Pelosi.
** **
Star-Kist is the major employer in American Samoa employing 75%
of the Samoan work force.
** **
Paul Pelosi, Nancy ‘s husband, owns $17 million dollars of
Star-Kist stock.
** **
In January, 2007 when the minimum wage was increased from $5.15
to $7.25, Pelosi had American Samoa exempted from the increase
so Del Monte would not have to pay the higher wage. This would
make Del Monte products less expensive than their competition’s.
Last week when the huge bailout bill was passed, Pelosi added an
earmark to the final bill adding $33 million dollars for an
‘economic development credit in American Samoa ‘.
Pelosi has called the Bush Administration “CORRUPT” ? ?
How do you spell “HYPOCRISY” ?

Posted by: Gayle | February 5, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am

Chuck S, Let me be very clear that “Veto” means our elected representatives need to vote against the passing of the stimulus in its current form. And if the president does receive this bill, he needs to veto it quickly so it can be significantly reworked. Sign the petition for the Senate to vote No. http://www.countryfirstpac.com/petition/economic.aspx

Posted by: Cathy | February 5, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am

Wallis Warfield Simpson | Feb 5, 2009 11:01:54 AM…..If it was the same bill and Bush was president, you see the same thiong you saw for the 1st BAILOUT. 89% of the voters were against the bill and a high number called and faxed Congress. But both Obama and McCain voted YEAH along with the demnocratic majority in the Senate and House. It was a mistake then; and its a mistake now!

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am

“silky–Look up the Dept. of Justice crime stats to find out who “has been wronged” for the last 2 generations.
Slavery ceased to exist 140+ years ago. Get over it.”
Ha! Right, racism ended with slavery. Just stop talking, you sound like a fool. Let’s drop the race talk.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:10 am 11:10 am

“Government is not the answer. Never has been, never will be.
To be anti-government on principle, when you live in the freest democracy in the world, is just pathetic. Ever been to a place without a functioning government? Not a pleasant experience.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 11:10 am 11:10 am

Repubs are digging and scratching at the bottom 1 percent of an enormous bill and using that 1 percent to create doubt. They are using 1 percent to divide and concur by relentless accusations of pork. The reality is the Repubs are taking advice from Rush Limbaugh and working to make the Obama Administration fail. Limbaugh’s worst nightmare is a successful Democrat in the White House. He and his Lemmings will lose all credibility by the end of Obama term(s) in office.

Posted by: dan | February 5, 2009, 11:10 am 11:10 am

I Have No Hope For America’s Future…
The two party system has ruined the country!

Posted by: for sure | February 5, 2009, 11:11 am 11:11 am

Posted by: Cathy | Feb 5, 2009 11:09:09 AM….Thanks Cathy, I just used you like and signed the petition (in addition to several other similar ones) as well as email my Senators.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:12 am 11:12 am

“Pass the PORKULUS bill, and that jobless number will continue to climb.”
Please read the bill and then tell us what exactly you consider pork and what percentage of the total bill it makes up.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:14 am 11:14 am

For pete’s sake, the Republicans were such fabulous stewards of the economy for 8 years, we should listen to their obstructionism? I think it is time for the bi-partisan BS to be over. So much for trying to work with the Republicans…they take any gesture of goodwill and twist it to their negative intent.

Posted by: sosupernova | February 5, 2009, 11:14 am 11:14 am

Leave it to Washington to make a big old mess of anything they touch.
The GOP have yet to learn their lessons and are resorting to teh same retorhic that got us into this mess. How can we trust their leadership when from 2000 to 2006, they expanded spending and pork to unheard of levels. They are just upset because the pork is not their style of barbecue. Putting fiscal responsbility lipstick on the GOP pigs, makes them still over weight out of touch bigs.
The fat democratic hogs have nuzzled their way to the trough of public finance into an orgy of feasting on public dollars.
In washington, pigs, pigs as far as the eyes can see. Our nation is in trouble and our elected congressional leaders are worried over which of their lobbying groups gets the money.
Give us the tax cuts NOW! Fix the state and local medicaid and unemployment funding. expand the food stamp aid. this money will flow into the economy ASAP. As for small business taxes, until I can get attractive financing, I cannot hire more folks, buy equipment or the like. No matter what tax credit you give us. Fix the credit markets!

Posted by: scott jeffries | February 5, 2009, 11:14 am 11:14 am

for sure | Feb 5, 2009 11:11:26 AM…..the 2 party system? Or the self-interested politicians? The system has done well (with hickups) for over 200 years – thanks to the founding fathers and the constitution.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:15 am 11:15 am

silky–I try to stay out of race debates, because blacks would rather cry racist then listen to a valid point. But to say it is OK for blacks to feel “resentment” towards whites because of slavery is, well, stupid.
Since black Africans began the process by capturing and selling them to the highest bidder.
Start there if you want a group to be angry with.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 11:17 am 11:17 am

Say NO to wasteful spending!
-$4.19 billion in slush funds for ACORN, the left-wing advocacy group best known for allegations of voter fraud during the 2008 presidential campaign
- $600 million to buy brand new cars for government bureaucrats
- $335 million for adult sex workshops (one of the few line items which could conceivably deliver “stimulus” )
- $150 million for honeybee insurance
- $2.8 billion for the US Department of Agriculture in a misdirected program more likely be spent to build unnecessary broadband internet services in urban areas than in the rural areas that lack service.

Posted by: realnyer | February 5, 2009, 11:17 am 11:17 am

Enoughalready said- “Slavery ceased to exist 140+ years ago. Get over it.”
————————————–
You are absolutely right. However segregation, unequal pay, disproportionate arrest rate, the KKK, Arian Nation, hiring practices, country club mentality and bigotry are still an everyday thing in this country. I’m white and I can see it all around me. Some of you might say that blacks are arrested more because they commit more of the crimes. That’s true speaking in percentages. But let me ask you all this…if you were kept down by laws that said you had to drink out of a different fountain…wouldn’t you feel inferior? I know I would. If you were pulled over for no reason…wouldn’t you get a complex? If you knew that you were getting paid less for the same job as a white person or even worse…not getting the job at all unless it’s a janitorial job…wouldn’t you feel hopeless and maybe…just maybe stoop to a life of crime to pay the bills… Or for a sense of sticking it to the “man”. Before you say this simple comment of slavery ended so long ago…try living in the shoes of someone who can’t afford to go to a decent school, even a good public one because there aren’t any jobs in those areas for someone that doesn’t look like the rest of us. They are forced to take jobs where they can get them. Now one of my best friend’s father graduated 4th in his class from West Point and retired a full bird Col. from the Air Force and he did this as one of only two cadets that were black at the time. One of the most intelligent men I’ve ever met. There are some that can work themselves out of it. Not everyone is blessed with his skills or abilities. The average man, white or black, couldn’t achieve what he has done so he is the exception. Please do not lump all of black America in to “they need to get over it” category.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 11:18 am 11:18 am

I am so sick of the media spreading lies…what the repubs are complaining about is just about 2% of the entire stimulus….we need this and God help us if we don’t let Pres. Obama do his job…He’s only in three weeks and republs are bashing him? They are the ones who stood idly by watching this mess unfold….They should be ashamed of themselves and so should some of these reporters. Let’s all stand together and get this country back on tract. He also is after Wall Street and doing something about the ridiculous salaries, more than the past administration did!

Posted by: Barb | February 5, 2009, 11:18 am 11:18 am

Why can’t news sources report the facts. What exactly do the Republicans want, what does the White House want, and what do Congressional Democrats deem necessary? All we hear are sound bites about how Republicans want more tax cuts and Democrats want more spending. That hardly paints an accurately detailed picture.

Posted by: TSnow27604 | February 5, 2009, 11:18 am 11:18 am

Sadly, the message of Hope and Change was vague allowing people to project their own hopes onto Obama. It was one big huge infomercial, only this one didn’t come with a money back guarantee.

Posted by: Tiffany | February 5, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am

This supposed bailout is nothing more than an insurance policy to the Federal Gov’t that will guarantee them, that tax levels will remain as high as possible, for as long as possible. You don’t need to be as polished as say a Community Organizer who has never held a real job, to be able to recognize this either. This brand of politics is playing simply on people’s stupidity and are actually achieving what they have set out to do. Gain targeted monies that they have been trying to get unsuccessfully for a long time. This doesn’t speak very well as to the level of comprehension that our fellow Americans seem to have, now does it.

Posted by: Blind Leading the Blind | February 5, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am

He is just President for 2 weeks and you already said his policies will failed. You must be an angry republican. Let him do his job. OK?

Posted by: Lee Man | February 5, 2009, 11:20 am 11:20 am

I agree with the blog from Rick:
Mr.Klein,
Your article is remarkably similar to the one I just read by Jeanne Cummings on Politico.com. Unfortunately (for you), her article was posted two hours earlier. Can’t you people at ABC do anything on your own?
Once I started reading this article, I decided to check the blogs to see if anyone else noticed or complained about Klein’s writing, which, by the way is confusing and fractured. Typical U.S. media.

Posted by: BrainOn | February 5, 2009, 11:20 am 11:20 am

The problem is when you try to rush the stimulus through, cry the sky is falling, hurry and pass any thing, then you get a bill full of crap, just a bunch of wasted money thrown at lobbyist projects, Democrat contributors, that ends up doing no good. If we are going to spend a trillion dollars, it would seem logical to be thoughtful and careful, so we get the most efficient use of taxpayer money. The panic mode Obama and the Democrats are in is going to make a bad situation worse. Bush and the Democrat congress did this with TARP and while the goal of keeping the banks solvent seemed necessary, doing a rush panicked job on the legislation, seemed to waste much of the money. It seems history is repeating itself with the stimulus.

Posted by: cbk16 | February 5, 2009, 11:20 am 11:20 am

Worker Man said- “Since black Africans began the process by capturing and selling them to the highest bidder.”
————————————-
But it was the whites who were buying them.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am

some of us are starting to wish that we voted for McCain. With McCain/Palin in charge, we would not be seeing the audacity of all the pork in this stimulus bill. I still have faith that Obama can get this bill refocused to cut the pork, but hope is fading as lapses in judgement persist on the pork included in this stimulus bill.

Posted by: Sam | February 5, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am

Sam: God forbit McCain/palin were in…
and the pork is about 2% of the bill…I don’t think people realize what a mess we are in and we need this stimulous…if we didn’t have this mess brought on by the repubs we wouldn’t need this stimulous.

Posted by: Barbara | February 5, 2009, 11:23 am 11:23 am

An example of the ridiculousness:
The “stimulus” bill would spend $5 billion to build more public housing.
Huh? This recession started in good part because of a housing glut: The collapse of the housing bubble meant that America had built more homes than it could pay for. As a result, the number of vacant housing units is at an all-time high.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:23 am 11:23 am

The end of America, that is what this bill will bring! We no longer have any common goals in the country, it’s evry party and everyone for themselvs…

Posted by: as if | February 5, 2009, 11:24 am 11:24 am

“we would not be seeing the audacity of all the pork in this stimulus bill.”
Please point out what you consider pork and it’s percentage of the bill.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am

chuck–Yes, whites did buy a few of them. But so did Arabs and other black Africans.
Not just the evil old white man.
Did you know there were more slaveowners in the Northern states when the Civil War began?

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am

I think heis trying but he inherited a mess. Also, bad judgement on behalf of not him but Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party is hurting his progress.

Posted by: Steve | February 5, 2009, 11:26 am 11:26 am

ABC = ONN
Obama News Network
Is this news or idol worship ???

Posted by: Larry McElhinney | February 5, 2009, 11:28 am 11:28 am

is “2%” the new talking point? Several are on the same page.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am

Obama has offered out a hand of compromise to the Repubs and asked the Dems in congress to work with the Repubs only to have the Repubs demand the bill be completely overhauled and replaced with more tax cuts for the rich. The two largest increases in the deficit came with tax cuts for the rich. Once under Reagan and then again under Bush 2. Both times the economy faltered but the Rich got their taxes reduced so I guess that’s pretty much all that matters to the Repubs. Republicans are demanding a continuation of twice failed trickle down economic policies and Obama is refusing to give that to them.

Posted by: dan | February 5, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am

deanbob- “The “stimulus” bill would spend $5 billion to build more public housing.
Huh? This recession started in good part because of a housing glut: The collapse of the housing bubble meant that America had built more homes than it could pay for. As a result, the number of vacant housing units is at an all-time high.”
—————————-
Really…The housing bubble and building houses for projects are two seperate things. The people living in the projects don’t buy their houses. They live in them with goverment assistance or free of charge. Would you rather them live on the streets or in shelters. Reps seem to complain about seeing too many homeless people, but they don’t want to get them off the streets either. Make up your mind people.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am

Dan: Right on! This is exactly what’s happening…Wake up people….

Posted by: Barb | February 5, 2009, 11:30 am 11:30 am

The last time we rushed a bailout plan what did it get us? Didn’t help fix the economy, banks took the money and used it to merge and buy other banks, give bonuses, have parties etc. Their is no need to rush this package. It will not fix the economy the moment it is approved. I think the American people are realistic and know it will take months if not years to fully recover. Washington needs to put aside party differences and do what’s best for the people that put them there. For once those in Washington should pass a bill that contains only what is needed for the specific purpose of that bill and not load it with unneeded costly pet projects.

Posted by: NoSpin1600 | February 5, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am

Let’s face it.
Diversity and multiculturalism are what is killing this country.
Try American Renaissance . com for a real eye opener.

Posted by: BO=BS | February 5, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am

Larry McElhinney | Feb 5, 2009 11:28:37 AM…..of course, with George Stephanoplis having a daily call to the Obama admininstration. No conflict of interest!

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am

Ruth. How unfair. Isn’t our President half white? Please do not make this a racial issue. That arguement sucks.

Posted by: anothervoter | February 5, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am

The Republicans are just playing chump change politics – they try to appear to their voting constituents they’re doing something about the neo-Hooveresque economy their fatcat offshoring and hedge funding buddies have given us, but they’re scared to death that Obama will actually rescue the economy and thus keep their Madoffian country club political agenda out of the White House another 4 years, or longer.
They’re nauseating.

Posted by: Dave In Colorado | February 5, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am

“The “stimulus” bill would spend $5 billion to build more public housing.
Huh? This recession started in good part because of a housing glut: The collapse of the housing bubble meant that America had built more homes than it could pay for. As a result, the number of vacant housing units is at an all-time high.”
Ha. Are you suggesting that the government consider these houses, owned by the banks, imminent domain? Nice. I’d love to see how that would go over with your fellow Republicans.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:33 am 11:33 am

Chuck S | Feb 5, 2009 11:29:55 AM…..Many of the homeless interviewed in Dallas did not want any help.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:33 am 11:33 am

I can’t believe the people that are defending this spending bill because it’s got Obama’s name on it. This bill is going to put our children and grandchildren in debt. I also didn’t agree with the bailout! This is just off the wall crazy!

Posted by: Tiffany | February 5, 2009, 11:33 am 11:33 am

obamas very own democratics senators are saying this thing wont pass. its not a repub or dem thing,,,its a lousy bill drafted by the far left of the left that erroneously assumed the american people voted for socialism.WRONG…they voted for change…ie something different from bush.all news services are starting to say….obama is loosing on this one. the real killer for obama is NANCY BOTOX PELOSI, you simply cannot work with her. she is venomous and brings out the worst in her opposition when in fact compromise is needed.I THINK YOU LIBERALS who have doubted what many
here having been saying about this bill need to call PELOSI and tell her to get with it and quit being an obstructionist cuz you are taking OBAMA with you.

Posted by: catman | February 5, 2009, 11:34 am 11:34 am

I saw a report on CNN yesterday that Joe the plumber is trying to get support for a political career. The table is almost set. Palin/Plumber will be the next ticket the Republicans will put forth. Two perfect puppets for Rush Limbaugh to manipulate.

Posted by: dan | February 5, 2009, 11:34 am 11:34 am

Mac
The $40 extra dollars in a paycheck is not meant to save anyone from poverty. Its a tool for stimulating consumer spending, which drives our economy. Over the course of the year that’s $500 per an individual, multiple that over every American, it will make a difference. The Republicans prefer the tax cuts go to the wealthiest 1%, on the theory they will invest it. That’s a legitimate argument, but Obama says he is against the Republican plan, because tax cuts for the rich didn’t work to stimulate the econmy during the Bush years. Obama wants to try stimulating the economy by putting $500 per person back into the system at the grassroots level.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 11:34 am 11:34 am

“Diversity and multiculturalism are what is killing this country.”
Please leave if you feel that way. Diversity and multiculturalism are not only the among the most beautiful aspects of this country, but are by and large, what this country is all about.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:34 am 11:34 am

chuck–I would rather have them working and paying their own way, as opposed to making a lifestyle out of living off taxpayer monies.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 11:34 am 11:34 am

Go Barack, cram it down the neo cons’ throat! Just say no to the last administration’s failed policies! We voted for something different, for change!
btw…Did anyone happen to catch the rightwing nut who is making a documentary of how the media put Obama in the Whitehouse and gave Palin a bad rap. Where do these fools come up with this crap?

Posted by: Denise | February 5, 2009, 11:35 am 11:35 am

Worker man said – “chuck–Yes, whites did buy a few of them. But so did Arabs and other black Africans.
Not just the evil old white man.
Did you know there were more slaveowners in the Northern states when the Civil War began?”
——————————–
You are correct. But the Northerners tended to have one or two as house servants and often gave them an education. This doesn’t justify them owning them however. The Southern owners tended to own many many more per owner to run farms and plantations. So yes…there were more owners in the north but many many many more slaves in the south. Once again…you are skewing facts to make it seem as if you are in the right. Ask yourself this. Why are there more blacks in the south than in the north? It’s not like there was a mas migration of former slaves from the north to the south after the war. Why would there be? That’s where most of them escaped from and that’s where the black were hated…and still are to this day, though not as bad as before.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 11:35 am 11:35 am

Posted by: chaos | February 5, 2009, 11:37 am 11:37 am

In past recessions, did we have any significant spending bills?

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:37 am 11:37 am

why does everyone call him an african american? his mother was a white woman and his father was a black man, I thought this meant biracial. just wondering

Posted by: joy | February 5, 2009, 11:38 am 11:38 am

The article is trying to show that Democrats need to fight harder against the Republicans – even though the Dems have the majority on the Hill.
The problem with the stimulus isn’t Republicans winning the word war – it’s the package itself. Full of spending tag along agendas that don’t belong there.
The current package is just more of the same American wasteful politics. Hope and change? The only change we’ll see is Chicago style politcs take over with Obama forcing us into submission.
More of the same White House politics and now more of the same Chicago politcs thrown in for some ‘change’.

Posted by: More of the same | February 5, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am

chaos–Please keep posting those stats.
They are very telling.
I’m glad someone is able to tell it like it is.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am

The bill, a socialist omnibus bill, has more to do with growing and empowering government than anything else. Its a shameless power grab by the same types of people who created our current economic situation. Democrats dominate the Senate, but the bill is so bad it still stalls.

Posted by: N'erdowell | February 5, 2009, 11:42 am 11:42 am

You guys are funny with your absolutely ridiculous cut and paste jobs. Where do you get these things, chaos?

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:43 am 11:43 am

What a crock this article claiming Obama lost the messaging war! Dream on! Obama is the best communicator I have ever seen in the Whitehouse, and this will become clear to even the most dense of you pundits eventually!!!

Posted by: karen | February 5, 2009, 11:43 am 11:43 am

Mr. President; Yesterday, today, and tomorrow the focus of the American people from the bottom to the top of the pecking order is survival. What we want and need first and foremost is the ability to provide for our families. We need jobs that give us enough income to feed our families. Those come from the private sector, not government. We need shelter to ward off the cold of winter and to keep our stuff dry and secure. Those of us who have lost our jobs aren’t concerned about better education or healthcare (because we can get it for free at any hospital emergency room), or green energy or abortions in Africa. What we need from our government right now is understanding. We don’t have an exclusive retirement income package, government paid healthcare benefit, an unlimited expense account or even a chocolate factory in our homes. Sir, with all due respect you and all our legislators are set for life. We want and deserve the basic self respect afforded us by the ability to take care of our families minimal needs. We are willing, ready and able to work though there are less jobs every day that passes. Please put this wish list aside and start over with a plan for the times. Our politicians seem determined to spend money even in this time of economic depression. Spend the money on the people. Infrastructure projects will get us through until we can find a war to bring us out of recession. We will in turn spend and stimulate the economy. Additionally we will respect you and yours for your compassion and understanding. Please stop interfering with private businesses. Legislation only detracts from the private sector’s ability to adapt to changing conditions. Businesses must now adapt to a global economy and global markets and global competition. Our manufacturing edge is gone. Somehow we need jobs and money is the bottom line. We’d be most appreciative if you could back burner the vision of Utopia you painted during the campaign. Our needs have changed. Thanks for your kind consideration in advance.

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | February 5, 2009, 11:43 am 11:43 am

chaos…if those stats are true, thats absolutely amazing and clearly points out why this bill is failing. it also points out that the democrats rush to judge americans as a now socialist loving country is proving eroneous and out of touch. the point is bush srewed up so bad that we elected these bozos.the country threw the baby out with the bath water in the last election. quite amazing though in just 2 short weeks the democrats are imploding.

Posted by: catman | February 5, 2009, 11:44 am 11:44 am

silky–I believe it’s called research.
“The Google” is a very powerful tool.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 11:44 am 11:44 am

CW said: Arrogance and greed + tax cheats and lobbyists = Obama’s administration
Oh really…. If that is what you think defines Obama’s administration, what do think defined the Bush administration? Your comment described the 8 years of Bush, not the two weeks of Obama.

Posted by: 1-Human | February 5, 2009, 11:45 am 11:45 am

Amy | Feb 5, 2009 11:34:43 AM….The stimulus check has already been tried by Bush(and failed) in 2008 and had very little effect on the individual spending.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 11:45 am 11:45 am

Thank you Chaos

Posted by: Jim Rod | February 5, 2009, 11:45 am 11:45 am

“This bill is going to put our children and grandchildren in debt.”
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, Tiffany, but your children and grandchildren have been in debt for awhile now.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am

Come on! Where you all when the bush administration took the 700 billion dollars last year and pretty much nothing changed. The guy has been only 2 weeks on the job and you already hate him.Plaese don’t listen to those republicans who lie and exaggerate everything the democrats(and especially Obama) do.Obama wants bipartisanship and the country to work together to solve this problem that needs action as soon as possible. If it were Bush you wouldn’t be doing all of this complaining. GIVE HIM A CHANCE!

Posted by: K | February 5, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am

What a train wreck folks. I lost my job yesterday and all I see is a real lack of leadership and ability to get a bill out that can help the country. Obama serves platitudes instead of working hard with both sides of the aisle to rewrite this bad bill. It needs to be all front side offereings not future hopes. We need a real boost. How about direct low interest loans for 3% for anyone making under 250K or even for first time home buyers? How about cutting the corporate tax rate in half for any company that hires and subcontracts only companies that have 95% American Citizen employment. That way we can talk companies into employing US workers instead of hiring outsourcing their jobs overseas.
Lets do things now that can get this economy pumping.

Posted by: ChicagoBob | February 5, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am

The last two weeks I have diligently followed this bailout process and the back and forth arguments and pros and cons and trying to make sense of what options we have.
One thing is clear: we absolutely have to CHANGE the way we conduct the business of government, here and now and get it right–we, the people demand our government do so.
The reality train for our economy is coming at us at a 120 mph and we have to do something to save our buns–find a way to get on board rather than stand on the tracks and wait.

Posted by: cieocom | February 5, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am

deanbob
“The stimulus check has already been tried by Bush(and failed) in 2008 and had very little effect on the individual spending.”
Apparently many people put their rebate check in the bank or used it to pay debt (not me). It is said that $500.00 paid out by reducing the payroll tax will go into the economy much more smoothly.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am

Sorry to say, it will do more damage than good. We’ll eventually get over this, but it will take years. The free market will determine where we go, not a government “stimulus package”.

Posted by: LongT | February 5, 2009, 11:50 am 11:50 am

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! The Chickens roost!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Joe Average | February 5, 2009, 11:50 am 11:50 am

amy–You’re clueless.
Bush gave every taxpayer a stimulus check last year, all at one time, and it didn’t help. So why would $500 a hundred extra dollars per year help now?

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 11:51 am 11:51 am

The only things Republican contribute are the same old polices (tax cuts, spend less, deregulate) and mantra that got us into this mess. So I am oppsoed to their version of what constitutes stimulous. Let Obama get rid of some of the pork in teh simtulous package and get the bill passed for heaven sake. Republican obstruction will only cause the extinction of the GOP so compromise or go extict.

Posted by: eyeon | February 5, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am

Deanbob- “Many of the homeless interviewed in Dallas did not want any help.”
——————
Once again you are taking a samll minutia of the entire population of the united states and twisting it to fit your arguement. Ask the same in Minniaplois in the winter. And you siad many of them…not all. I’m sure most people would rather have a house or apartment than live on the streets. Otherwise most of us wouldn’t live anywhwere. It’s an invalid arguemnet…once again.
Yes there are those that chose to live on the streets…please don’t clump all homeless people in to that category. I’m sure there are plenty of single mothers who don’t want their kids on the street with them.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am

this thing would pass today if NANCY PELOSI would step doun as house leader.

Posted by: catman | February 5, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am

“silky–I believe it’s called research.
“The Google” is a very powerful tool.”
Actually, that’s not at all what it is. The posts have been exact duplicates. Equally erroneous and irrelevant.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am

Oh Boy 4 billion for condoms and 5 billion for ACORN to try to figure out who to use them on.

Posted by: Joe Average | February 5, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am

It’s all starting now! Proud to say “I DIDN’T Vote for Him” or any of his other Big Spenders!! LOL

Posted by: Not Shocked | February 5, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am

“Obama serves platitudes instead of working hard with both sides of the aisle to rewrite this bad bill.”
Actually, he’s working with centrists today to get it to where it will pass.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:54 am 11:54 am

HR 645
Bill creates detention camps in U.S. for ‘emergencies’
Sweeping, undefined purpose raises worries about military police state
Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, D-Fla., has introduced to the House of Representatives a new bill, H.R. 645, calling for the secretary of homeland security to establish no fewer than six national emergency centers for corralling CIVILIANS on military installations.
The proposed bill, which has received little mainstream media attention, appears designed to create the type of detention center that those concerned about use of the military in domestic affairs fear could be used as concentration camps for political dissidents, such as occurred in Nazi Germany.
H.R. 645, which seeks to allocate $360 million for developing the emergency centers, has been referred to the HouseCommittee on Transportation and #and to the Committee on Armed Services.
.
The bill also appears to expand the president’s emergency power, much as the executive order signed by President Bush on May 9, 2007, that, as WND reported, gave the president the authority to declare an emergency and take over the direction of all federal, state, local, territorial and tribal governments without even consulting Congress.
“As WND also reported, DHS has awarded a $385 million contract to Houston-based KBR, Halliburton’s former engineering and construction subsidiary, to build temporary detention centers on an “as-needed” basis in national emergency situations.
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87757
TEXT OF BILL
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-645

Posted by: be very afraid | February 5, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am

catman–You’re right.
Namcy Pelosi is as poisonous a politician as they come.
Why do her constituents keep reelecting her? Must be the same core group that hates the American military and allows elementary school field trips to go to a homo wedding.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am

Pork is more than 50% of the bill and many essential needs for states are missed, such as education, healthcare. Most jobs created will be short-term and the typical immigrant jobs in construction, and the buy American clause was removed.

Posted by: Sam | February 5, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am

“Why don’t you all just let him do his job? I think you all are just trying to discredit him because he is an African American. If he was white, you all would think his plan was outstanding.”
^^^ This is why racism exist today.
And no, Obama is my president and I reserve the right to discredit him in anyway that I feel. No this stimulus plan is crap and everyone knows it but everyone is too afraid to say anything because Obama is just soo perfect. Well Im not, Obama doesn’t know anything about Washington and the stimulus bill is nothing but crap. Rest assured that considering our current crisis, if a stimulus bill goes through part of congress without ABSOLUTELY NO support from the other party then you can bet your bottom dollar something is wrong with it.

Posted by: Travis | February 5, 2009, 11:56 am 11:56 am

eyeon…i agree we should pass a slimed downed pork light version soon, i disagree on the gop going extint…they have become pretty popular again over the last 2 weeks. thank god they they challanged this bill and the vast american public knows it. next time we elect someone lets make sure they actually have some experience.

Posted by: catman | February 5, 2009, 11:56 am 11:56 am

“amy–You’re clueless.”
worker man, Amy is not somebody you want any part of. She is intelligent and articulate. You…not so much.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 11:57 am 11:57 am

The only difference between Obama and Bush is that Obama wants to promote Islam.

Posted by: d | February 5, 2009, 11:57 am 11:57 am

The problem is that pelosi took advantage and the attitude on day one ” we won and you lost”. and decided to take advantage of it. The problem is that the democrats in the house think she knows what she is doing. However she lacks the understanding of the word stimulus. If they keep this up they will be out of control of the house shortly. The President was hooked up by his own party. And now Pelosi and company will pay the price because the president has to go to the democrats and republicans in the senate to fix her arrogance.I Expect to see more of this in the future. But ultimately Obama will win and it will be bipartisan.Probably 80% correct.
Hey Congress:
Do the peoples work first and Delay the special interest and pet projects until later.

Posted by: brewster | February 5, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am

Give him a chance? He is already saying “I’m Sorry” and “I screwed up” Little frightening to hear from the President of the US ALREADY!!!

Posted by: Freein NH | February 5, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am

I am not going to try and act as if I understand politics fully, but my opinion is my opinion. I like Obama, but I think he is just trying to do too much to accommodate both parties and establish this “bipartisan” system that is just too soon to work. He is trying to halt years and years of bickering between two very different groups of people. It’s like one of those old-time family feuds where they are just killing each other to get a victory in the end both end up losing and we pay the price.

Posted by: Random Guy @ Work | February 5, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am

“Pork is more than 50% of the bill and many essential needs for states are missed, such as education, healthcare. Most jobs created will be short-term and the typical immigrant jobs in construction, and the buy American clause was removed.” Actually same…it’s about 1/3 tax cuts. That means that if you take that portion of it out….about 80% of it is pork. I think you need to actually read the bill as I have. It’s less than 2% the total bill…and that’s only in the eye of the beholder.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am

I thank God he’s willing to pay the price. We’ve had eight years of the SEC sitting on its hands while Madoff and others stole and rich bankers got billions in bonuses and golden parachutes. Meanwhile, ordinary people were facing a full-scale depression. At least Obama is willing to stand for the ordinary people. Congress people have high salaries, secure homes, and the best health care plan and retirement system in the U.S. That makes it possible for a lot of them to play politics, nitpick and try to make things fail for political gain. It doesn’t cost them anything. They are a privileged class. It was easy for Bush to veto SCHIP. He was rich. His children had the best health care in the world. The same thing is happening here.

Posted by: JAB | February 5, 2009, 11:59 am 11:59 am

silky–Trust me, “Amy” has made a fool of herself without any help many times on these boards.
Just as you have.
“Chaos” posted factual findings from a college professor and you call them “irrelevant.”
Birds of a feather flock together.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm

D said, “The only difference between Obama and Bush is that Obama wants to promote Islam.”
——————————
Where do you get this info from. Once again this is nothing but fear tactics of your part D. Typical smear campaign from the right. If in fact you want to get in to an arguement of who is promoting Islam…how about Bush and Papa Bush promoting for more drilling of oil in the middle east rather than finding alternative sources. That’s feeding the flame if ever I’ve heard one. The POTUS wants to get away from that as much as feasibly possible. Not only allowing for less money to fund the Islamic countries but keep more of the money here. How is that promoting Islam? I guess you are just another biggot without facts to back your false claims up.

Posted by: Chuck S | February 5, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

How about we start with the Mortgage crisis and put into place the 4% solution. This will allow folks to keep their homes, folks to buy homes and create many jobs.

Posted by: Freein NH | February 5, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

“The proposed bill, which has received little mainstream media attention, appears designed to create the type of detention center that those concerned about use of the military in domestic affairs fear could be used as concentration camps for political dissidents, such as occurred in Nazi Germany.”
Ha! You guys are too good. I’m amazed we allow some of you people to operate vehicles.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm

“”Chaos” posted factual findings from a college professor and you call them “irrelevant.”"
Whether they are factual or not is another discussion. But please tell me how those numbers are relevant to this bill.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

It occurs to me that instead of advancing our civilisation, the two political parties are slowly turning us into something like the Roman Gladiators. It’s a fight to the death, no matter how destructive to those around us. We have also become a shallow, throw away society; elect a president one week, throw him to the wolves two weeks later. The man doesn’t stand a chance.
Listening to the ignorant hatred, false accusations and mindless venom that makes up so much of these boards I have figured out one thing. They are detrimental to a person’s mental health. Life suck’s enough without filling one’s mind with hatred.

Posted by: phoenix lady | February 5, 2009, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

This is a good place to bring up the recent allegations that George S. of ABC news was and active advisor of the Obama campaign during the presidents run for office. this needs to be addressed and ABC and George need to answer this allegation. if he did this his integrity is down the toilet as an objective news reporter on TV. He needs to answer this. George I hope you can hear me. SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION.

Posted by: richard warren | February 5, 2009, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

Silky do you have a job? How do you have so much time to write these posts? Does your employer know what you are doing on the job. If you are self employed then you must be making major cash to sit a post all day. MAybe you can volunteer extra money from your income to taxes and show your good citizenship.

Posted by: Tim | February 5, 2009, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm

Reasons Why the Stimulus is not a Stimulus:
1. $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
2. $380 million in the Senate bill for the Women, Infants and Children program
3. $300 million for grants to combat violence against women
4. $2 billion for federal child care block grants
5. $6 billion for university building projects
6. $15 billion for boosting Pell Grant college scholarships
7. $4 billion for job-training programs, including $1.2 billion to provide “youth” summer jobs for people up to the age of 24
8. $1 billion for community development block grants
9. $4.2 billion for “neighborhood stabilization activities”
10. $650 million for digital TV coupons, including $90 million to educate “vulnerable populations”
POORLY DESIGNED TAX RELIEF:
11. $15 billion for business-loss carry-backs
12. $145 billion for “Making Work Pay” tax credits
13. $83 billion for the earned income credit
STIMULUS FOR THE GOVERNMENT:
14. $150 million for the Smithsonian
15. $34 million to renovate the Department of Commerce headquarters
16. $500 million for improvement projects for National Institutes of Health facilities
17. $44 million for repairs to Department of Agriculture headquarters
18. $350 million for Agriculture Department computers
19. $88 million to help move the Public Health Service into a new building next year
20. $448 million for constructing a new Homeland Security Department headquarters
21. $600 million to convert federal auto fleet to hybrids
22. $450 million for National Aeronautics and Space Administration
23. $600 million for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
24. $1 billion for the Census Bureau
INCOME TRANSFERS:
25. $89 billion for Medicaid
26. $30 billion for COBRA insurance extension
27. $36 billion for expanded unemployment benefits
28. $20 billion for food stamps
PURE PORK:
29. $4.5 billion for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
30. $850 million for Amtrak
31. $87 million for a polar icebreaking ship
32. $1.7 billion for the National Park System
33. $55 million for Historic Preservation Fund
34. $7.6 billion for “rural community advancement programs”
35. $150 million for agricultural commodity purchases
36. $150 million for “producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish”
RENEWABLE WASTE:
37. $2 billion for renewable energy research
38. $2 billion for a “clean-coal” power plant in Illinois
39. $6.2 billion shall be for the Weatherization Assistance Program
40. $3.5 billion shall be for energy efficiency and conservation block grants
41. $3.4 billion shall be for the State Energy Program
42. $200 million shall be for state and local electric-transport projects
43. $300 million shall be for energy-efficient appliance rebate programs
44. $400 million for hybrid cars for state and local governments
45. $1 billion for the manufacturing of advanced batteries
46. $1.5 billion for green technology loan guarantees
47. $8 billion for innovative technology loan guarantee program
48. $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects
49. $4.5 billion for electricity grid
REWARDING STATE IRRESPONSIBILITY:
50. $79 billion for State Fiscal Stabilization Fund

Posted by: cbk16 | February 5, 2009, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

This package is absurd. I have no faith in capital to do anything that is in the best interest of the american people. Anything to benefit them and increase THEIR adjenda & prosperity.

Posted by: rxc242 | February 5, 2009, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

“Bush gave every taxpayer a stimulus check last year, all at one time, and it didn’t help. So why would $500 a hundred extra dollars per year help now?”
Apparently, Americans used their rebate checks for paying down debt or putting into savings. (Can’t prove that by me, but that is what studies show.) Getting money into the economy by cutting the payroll tax is thought to result in it actually being spent. Again, its not a welfare plan to save everybody by giving them $500.00, its meant to stimulate the econmy by being spent.
The alternative, in the Republican plan, is to cut taxes on the wealthiest 1%, to stimulate investment. The only problem is, when Bush tried that, the wealthy invested in the housing market, creating a bubble, which lead to creative mortgages plans, which lead to deficit swap derivatives, which lead to fraud, bad investments…oh, this is depressing.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

Rahm Emanuel said “Don’t ever let a good crisis be wasted”!! — Obama’s PORK BILL is doing just that! — Same old TAX AND SPEND philosophy!! — How about we keep the true “stimulus” portions of the bill and trash the rest —- and… let the funds be used starting THIS YEAR, not the pittance you plan to spend this year!! Geeeesh!!

Posted by: Mark in Indiana | February 5, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

Mr. President: I voted for you and am still convinced that good change will happen eventually. However, until both parties stop the “I’ll vote for your stimulus package if………” and then fill “if” with fluff-filled Christmas lists from their own personal agendas, nothing will change. Go back and cut out EVERYTHING from the proposed package that won’t help the American people. The endowment for the arts, the sod, etc. It’s got to directly affect us, and SOON. My husband is a dairy farmer………take a brief moment to look and see what’s happening in Wisconsin and other states to the family farm and dairy prices right now. We are suffering………and if America loses its’ farmers and the ability to grow food, we are in for even bleaker times.

Posted by: drose33 | February 5, 2009, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

Scratch this stupid bill altogether. It’s a$$nine to borrow money we don’t have which is the reason why we’re in this mess in the first place! This bill does nothing to give money back into the hands of the taxpayers who are the largest purchasers of goods and services. Give money to the tax payers so we can pay off our debt. Then spending will resume.
Call/write your senators immediately.

Posted by: BT | February 5, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

deanbob – In past recessions, did we have any significant spending bills?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
great quesstion…yes, the Clinton admin passed a stimulus bill in the fitst months he was in office, which is roundly agreed to have made the recession in 1992 alot shorter.

Posted by: indithinker | February 5, 2009, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm

Fri. Feb. 13, 2009 from Washington, D.C. President Obama: Once again I find it appropriate to admit I was wrong. I was wrong to wrongly focus my appeal for acceptance toward the legislature rather than the people. The Economic Stimulus Bill having been disapproved has proven that my focus should have been on the needs of the people of this nation instead of the visions of a perfect America projected by our House of Representatives. I sincerely apologize for my indiscretion and promise to move forward with a new plan that will eliminate the suffering all of you are experiencing. When the economy has recovered my colleagues and I will endeavor to make the necessary fundamental changes required to make the world a better place, to end disease and poverty and war. In the meantime please bear with me as Michelle and I along with the girls continue making the rounds of all the restaurants in D.C. One final footnote. Being president is a hoot beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you for your votes.

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | February 5, 2009, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm

cbk16
I agree, we shouldn’t spend any more money helping people convert their TVs to receive digital. If broadcasters want to make sure all Americans get their signal, let advertisers pay to let poor people get their messages.
I already got my coupon and used it, but hey, you snooze, you lose.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm

“Like changing deck chairs on the Titanic.” Corporate welfare… still does not address the fundamental economic principle of demand. Free Money Greed? Perhaps. No one wants to lose their house after paying 29 years, 11 months, 29 days of a 30 year mortgage! How ~ exactly ~ where you planing to pay for all of this? Sugested reading: “The Economic Principles of the Peace.” A stimulus might only pospone the inevitable… and create a “feeding frenzy” of greed and corruption; all Parties being guilty.

Posted by: Spartan Phoenix777 | February 5, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

Hallelujah–Americans are FINALLY starting to wake up from the drivel of hypnotic rhetoric that the Obama handlers used throughout the campaign to arrive at where we are. I have read major academic economists, including a Nobel winner from Columbia Univ. on CNN who are very skeptical that this MASSIVE amount of money (read debt) will have much impact in the right places. They suggest alternatives, but I don’t see them with Obama, who has used fear to try to pass this idiotic albatross. Within weeks he nominated 3 candidates who hid huge money owed for taxes…and then issued a lame “apology.” Obama is IMAGE DRIVEN and always has been, not principal driven. His “apology,” by the way, came on the very day that The New York Times printed a highly critical editorial of his appointments and their impact. My warning is: do not give this guy too much power, do not be swayed by his fear rhetoric. He will get America into a much, much deeper hole….

Posted by: marat | February 5, 2009, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm

I just want to echo this statement…”Go ahead Republican’ts; keep fighting this bill. Keep rejecting help for a dying economy. Keep griping about programs that will employ the little people. Then see how many of you get reelected in 2010. People will forgive a lot of things, but not when you kick them where it hurts—in the wallet.”

Posted by: Efren | February 5, 2009, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm

“Silky do you have a job? How do you have so much time to write these posts? Does your employer know what you are doing on the job. If you are self employed then you must be making major cash to sit a post all day. MAybe you can volunteer extra money from your income to taxes and show your good citizenship.”
Tim, thank you for your interest in my professional life. However, it is not any of your business, and it is bad form to attempt to make another’s personal or professional life your business. However, there are a few reasons for my time here. One is that I spend between 1 and 3 hours a day on conference calls that I try to pay as little attention to as possible. Another is that the account that I work on is in a deconversion process and is resulting in less and less work by the day. A third is that this is a very important time in our country’s history and I feel it is my obligation as a US citizen to keep spreaders of hatred and misinformation honest. A fourth is that I am awed by the ignorance and density that I see in people on this blog and I just can’t quit you! Thanks for your inquiry into my life, Tim, but really, you should learn to mind your own f’ing business when it comes to such things, my man.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm

Obama cannot fix a global recession.
Only time can.
We can print all the money we want and give it to everyone and it won’t matter until the global siuation gets better.

Posted by: Mac | February 5, 2009, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

Posted by: marat | February 5, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

Wed. Apr.1, 2009; Washington, D.C. President Obama: By now you’re probably on to me. I really don’t have a clue about running a Democracy so let me take this opportunity to say “April Fool!”. Thanks again for your votes. And I promise if you elect us again Michelle and I will continue to love America. Oh yeah, and I promise no more dirty bombs will explode over Los Angeles like last week. Geez! That was embarrassing.

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | February 5, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

“Give money to the tax payers so we can pay off our debt.”
That’s the last thing you want to have happen if your goal is to stimulate the economy.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

Silky do you mean that I shoudl mind my business like you? I am just mirroring your attacks that you make on others. How does your own medicine taste?
About your job, I’m sorry that things aren’t going your way. Look on the bright side, I’m sure that you can get a job digging ditches with Obama’s infrastructure spending. It seems that ditch digging is up your alley seeing that you do it here everyday.

Posted by: Tim | February 5, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm

Ruth, keep race out of this, it has nothing to do with it. We have heard for to long if you don’t agree with me your a racist.

Posted by: Lizzie | February 5, 2009, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm

The now more than $900 billion “stimulus” package under consideration in the Senate would add to a federal deficit already projected to reach a record $1.2 trillion this year. This bill is not only one of the largest spending measures ever to pass through Congress, it will cost more over two years than we’ve spent to date on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan!

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

There are some on this board that are probably paid (directly or indirectly) by the Obama machine.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm

There are some on this board that are probably paid (directly or indirectly) by the Obama machine.
Posted by: deanbob
—————————————-
You are correct.

Posted by: Jimmy | February 5, 2009, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm

I hate to say it (ideally, I’ve never been a fan of large corporations), but in the Reno/Sparks area of Nevada, our local economy depends largely on one corp. who has, over the past year or so been forced to lay off about half their staff. These individuals, many of which have been working there for years, did make certain decisions like home ownership, and investing in their company. Our unemployment rate is around 7%, the highest in 16 years and actively growing. Local business suffers, everything suffers.
To “Bye-Bye American Dream”: just wait until you lose your seemingly comfortable corporate job.
To sgrams: A generator? kerosene heater? Take note from this stimulus package and invest in solar power, wind power, etc.! AND PASSIVELY HEAT YOUR HOUSE.
Of course, the most overlooked way to avoid a recession is to spend! I know it’s tempting to hoard money right now but unfortunately, hoarding is the problem.
Maybe this stimulus package isn’t perfect (what is?) but it is certainly needed.

Posted by: ET | February 5, 2009, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm

isnt it ironic how all of a sudden, after 6 years of GOP WH and congressional rule, where they spent out of control, they suddenly have a conscience on spending…? seems more poltically inspired than real effective opposition.

Posted by: indithinker | February 5, 2009, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm

Tim, again, thank you for your interest, but I have no idea what you are talking about. I have made no inquiries into people’s professional lives. Not only do I recognize that it’s none of my business, but I couldn’t possibly care less.
“It seems that ditch digging is up your alley seeing that you do it here everyday.”
Huh? I pretty much just call bs here. Well, that and wave the flag for Amy, my abcnews.com hero.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

Wouldn’t it have been great if there had been this much national outcry from Republicans before we spent 1.6 trillion dollars on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? I’m, just sayin’.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/13/hidden.war.costs/

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

“There are some on this board that are probably paid (directly or indirectly) by the Obama machine.”
Why, because the people speaking in support of him sound thought-out and professional? I can see that. But realistically, it’s insane to think that his team would pay somebody to post here. I’d venture a guess that only 5-10% of the people here are even capable of having their mind changed on anything.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm

Silky; I’m crushed. I thought I was your hero.

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | February 5, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm

Posted by: Jimmy | February 5, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm

Chuck S | Feb 5, 2009 11:52:13 AM….Life has consequences. If I put my finger in the fire, I get burned. If I screw up, I pay the piper.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm

silky – I think your comment about Obama supporters sound “thought out and professional,” is incorrect. Some yes, most not.

Posted by: Freein NH | February 5, 2009, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm

There are some on this board that are probably paid (directly or indirectly) by the Obama machine.
Posted by: deanbob
—————————————-
You are correct.
yep pumpers pump the stimulas plan even though you know it is a major rip off but as long as your getting paid to do it it makes it all ok, bullsheet I say, trouble is rebpubs understand this bill is crap shoot

Posted by: pink stocks are a scam | February 5, 2009, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

amy – great point… this sudden conscience around borrowing and spending is very fishy after they spent nearly 2 trillion on a bothced war, and nearly 1.5 trillion on about anything else they wanted when they had the WH and Congress….very hypocritcal to my mind…

Posted by: indithinker | February 5, 2009, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

deanbob
People don’t want to be responsible for themselves. Your voice will lost here. People want it all regardless of what the consequences are.
However, I’m sure that someone here with all their infinate wisdom will contradict me here.

Posted by: Jimmy | February 5, 2009, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

The Obama political machine admitted that it would continue spending, as it did during the campaign, to influnce its policies. That is why I said Obama is probably paying people on this board. Me, I don’t mind saying what I did. I’m a semi-retired software engineer. So, I have all the time in the world to blog away.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm

indithinker – 1) tell the troops it was a botched war, they will appreciate your support 2) Aren’t we looking forward and looking for change with Obama, or are we still dwelling on the past?

Posted by: Freein NH | February 5, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm

Some comments here claim there is little pork in this…while the truth is there is little that isn’t pork in this bill.
This bill should straight out target the energy sector. There are many, many jobs that can be created right here at home in building and implementing solar, wind and nuclear generated power. More jobs than any other sector…we just have to have the guts to get going on it. This bill should be plain and simple in investing in new and current companies that will create those jobs and our energy independence…clean energy. It could demand that the components be American made, implemented by American labor and maintained by American companies. Every area of the country would benefit in multiple ways…job creation and reduced energy costs. The private sector would have to move from petroleum based to electrical based and it would if there was a major nationwide push from the government in a plan such as that. Throwing money to every cause you can will not help. Giving money to companies that have squandered their own will not help. Making government larger by throwing money to pet social projects will not work. Investment and partnership in making a product or energy will work and will put people back to work. I personally don’t think that any company that has off-shored American jobs should get stimulus money. Be that Mexico, Canada or oversea. Off-shoring jobs is the single biggest reason we are in the mess we’re in. People that lose jobs can’t pay mortgages…can’t buy cars, don’t shop at local or nationwide stores, don’t go out to eat. They do however still have to pay for lights and heat/AC. Put people to work in that sector.
Other major sectors like housing and automotive will move as soon as people have good paying jobs. This bill quite frankly stinks in it’s entirety.

Posted by: Watching in Amazement | February 5, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

Freein NH
Dwelling on the past reaffirms current poor decisions. It’s the “they did it so I can” mentality. More importantly who will people blame when this package fails?

Posted by: Jimmy | February 5, 2009, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

Jimmy – Exactly…. cheers

Posted by: Freein NH | February 5, 2009, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

“Well, that and wave the flag for Amy, my abcnews.com hero.”
Silky, I don’t know how you suffer these fools every day. I wish I had your cool. I admire your style. My natural habitat is First Read, MSNBC’s blog, but I come here, to ABC, out of a sense of obligation to argue back at the Rush Limbaugh dittoheads. It also makes me hope I am contributing to our demmocracy. When I grow up, I want to be Silky.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

We need to keep a few things in mind. The media collects the news , then they tell us what they want.

Posted by: Tweeter and the Monkeyman | February 5, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

democracy. I sometimes stutter.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

amy – maybe you should stick with MSNBC if it bothers you so much.

Posted by: Freein NH | February 5, 2009, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

Watching in Amazement | Feb 5, 2009 1:04:18 PM…..Drillers here in Texas say they could be pumping 3 years from drill start. That will endure the oil supply, bring in $18/barrel in tax, and put some people to work. That being said, I think you alternative enegy ideas are important to our med to long term solutions.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

Posted by: Jimmy | February 5, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

indithinker, did you flunked math too.
With this socalled stimulus bill, interest rates are going up. Who in the world is lending us all that money?????
to Jimmy—-Bush

Posted by: Lizzie | February 5, 2009, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

“We need to keep a few things in mind. The media collects the news , then they tell us what they want.”
Posted by: Tweeter and the Monkeyman | Feb 5, 2009 1:09:04 PM
______________________________________
Best point made so far. Very true regardless if you are listing to FOX News Radio or ABC.

Posted by: dan | February 5, 2009, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

deanbob, if it would take 3 years to drill a well, OMG every Oil or Gas Company would be out of business. Have you ever seen how fast they put up a rig, drill, cap it, and how fast it comes down. Go visit East or West Texas or for that matter visit Fort Worth.

Posted by: Lizzie | February 5, 2009, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm

Let me guess Amy. You go to MSNBC’s website because they are “unbiased”?
Another example of a liberal not being able to see, hear, or smell BS when it is right in front of them.

Posted by: worker man | February 5, 2009, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

“We need to keep a few things in mind. The media collects the news , then they tell us what they want.”
I agree. Here’s a link to a more insightful article on the stimulus than you usually find.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/183303

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

Lizzie
Please check your posts. Your writing leaves much to be desired. Your efforts are valient yet lost through poor grammar.

Posted by: School Teacher | February 5, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

Amy | Feb 5, 2009 1:28:55 PM…..The Newsweek article omits a significant option: DO NOTHING AT ALL. In/following the last significant depression, what stimulus was passed?

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm

Do away with republicans and get this stimulus passed this is what the American people want, to make sure economy is fixed before any bipartisan politics.
Republicans used their 8 full years in office to destroy every bit of US economy without even listening to congressional democrats.Americans do not need politics now.We need our economy back on its feet.

Posted by: Isaac | February 5, 2009, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm

“In/following the last significant depression, what stimulus was passed?”
I think you mean “recession.” No stimulus was passed and the result was the Great Depression.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm

School Teacher, thank you for pointing out my poor grammar.

Posted by: Lizzie | February 5, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm

How is it possible to spend money when your broke? Is this the Washington Mutual/Wachovia/Countrywide school of finance? Maybee Maddoff should write the bill!
Has it ever occurred to anyone that this is EXACTLY what the 911 attacks aimed to accomplish? They wanted to break us financially. Well, mission accomplished.
Watch Obsession the documentary. We need to be very cautious at this time.
http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/

Posted by: Bobby | February 5, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

The country is over $10 trillion in debt!!!! Seriously, we have to stop this crap now!

Posted by: Brittany | February 5, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm

Amy; While you’re stuttering many of us are shuddering.

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | February 5, 2009, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm

“School Teacher, thank you for pointing out my poor grammar.”
While managing to misspell “valiant.”
Mad props to monroe on his rhyming skillz.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

Denise – are you serious?
The whole world outside of yours is aware of the USA media bias and took note of the double standards applied to reporting on Palin/Biden, let alone Palin/Obama.
Silky – you dont contribute anything worthwhile even to a blog site, if your claim to be commenting only because the time is so important is true which I sincerely doubt, I am here to tell you that with statements like what has the Professors quoted demographics to do with this bill will only be reinforcing the viewpoint that Obama supporters, whether paid (and I would not be surprised if you are)or not, do not have the ability to see things as they are, as opposed to how they would like them to be.
I am neither a supporter of left or right, just competent management, but all around the world the left is typically represented by people like you and Denise who have this incredible ability to deny facts.
Comptetent management means firstly recognising problems and you just cannot do that if you are constantly in a state of denial.
Case in point, if the Professors demographics are correct then it is blindingly obvious what they have to do with the Bill, it involves a massive transfer of wealth from one group to another.
Not surprisingly those from whom the wealth is going to be transferred from will not be too pleased!
Whether this transfer is desirable or not from the overall countries viewpoint, is another debate and that debate is in effect happening right now, but to blithely dismiss the data leading to the reason for that debate disqualifies you intellectually from having any meaningful part of it, even on a blog site.
Time to lift your game or you will just become a garrulous irrelevance, even here, and anything you are trying to achieve will become counter productive.

Posted by: Gerry Sinclair | February 5, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

Gerry Sinclair you are the man!!!!!!

Posted by: Bobby | February 5, 2009, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

The last significant depression (I was referring to) followed Jimmy Carter.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm

Obama= Carter Part 2

Posted by: Bobby | February 5, 2009, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm

Gerry, are you refering to this?
“Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law,
St. Paul, Minnesota, points out facts of 2008 Presidential election:
Number of States won by:
Democrats: 19
Republicans: 29
Square miles of land won by:
Democrats: 580,000
Republicans: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by:
Democrats: 127 million
Republicans: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Democrats: 13.2
Republicans: 2.1
Professor Olson adds:
“In aggregate, the map of the territory won by Republicans
was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country.
Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in
government-owned tenements and living off various forms of
government welfare.
Professor Olson believes the United States is now somewhere
between the “complacency and apathy” phase of Professor Tyler’s
definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation’s
population already having reached the “governmental dependency” phase.”

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm

“I am neither a supporter of left or right, just competent management, but all around the world the left is typically represented by people like you and Denise who have this incredible ability to deny facts.”
What facts am I denying?

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm

Interesting Statistics
Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul , Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the Presidential election:
Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29
Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2 Republicans: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: “In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican won by Republicans was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country. Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare.
Professor Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the “complacency and apathy” phase of Professor Tyler’s definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation’s population already having reached the “governmental dependency” phase.
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegal’s and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years.
Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake,
knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.

Posted by: Bobby | February 5, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm

Silky, now I get my green card back?????

Posted by: Lizzie | February 5, 2009, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

“Comptetent management means firstly recognising problems and you just cannot do that if you are constantly in a state of denial.”
Look in the mirror: 1.6 trillion dollars spent on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, 13 billion of that lost to fraud due to the Republican penchent for “privatizing” services previously provided by the military. Republican tax cuts under Bush led to an increase in wealth at the top 1%, while the middle class shrank. A $200 million dollar “Bridge to Nowhere” promoted by a Republican senator and approved by a Republican governor (until it became clear there would be no follow up funds,) and yet funds to provide contraceptions through medicare are “pork.” I get tired of the Republican spin, smears and lies, I really do.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm

Anyone else out there sick of hearing Silky?

Posted by: Silkyc_h_u_g_g_s_c_o_c_k | February 5, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

My question to Gerry is what do those statistics have to do with this bill? It sounds like his issue is with the Twelfth Amendment.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

Silkyc_h_u_g_g_s_c_o_c_k | Feb 5, 2009 2:40:03 PM………I don’t agree with what is said. But I don’t like this kind of response.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm

My last response should have read I don’t agree with what Silk says. But, we should keep the debate civil.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm

Anyone else out there sick of hearing Silky?
Posted by: Silkyc_h_u_g_g_s_c_o_c_k
________________________________________
This has been the funniest hting I’ve heard all day!

Posted by: Bobby | February 5, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm

How is this?

Posted by: Silky-i-s-o-b-l-i-v-i-o-u-s | February 5, 2009, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

OK Bobby, now we know reading your comments is a waste of time.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm

Wit as sharp as a bowling ball, these two. Hang in there Bobby, and one day you might actually get to experience the touch of a woman.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm

HA HA HA HA

Posted by: Silky-i-s-o-b-l-i-v-i-o-u-s | February 5, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

Providing contraception through Medicare in a stimulus package IS PORK. I’m not Republican…you’re certainly a Democrat. You’re such a typical Democrat that I can actually see in your writing that “it’s your turn”. Just because the last team did things unwisely at times doesn’t mean that’s the thing to do. And…The bridge was never built…smarter minds prevailed. The wars were demanded by a majority of Americans at the time. Just because the faint at heart changed their minds later on does not mean the wrong decision was made at the time.
As long as Dims and Reflubs (misspelling intentional) act like the players in the Middle East…we all lose.

Posted by: Watching in Amazement | February 5, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm

Thank you.

Posted by: deanbob | February 5, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm

“The wars were demanded by a majority of Americans at the time.”
Afghanistan, yes. Iraq, no. At least not until the utterly bogus Curveball testimony was employed to leverage a yay vote.

Posted by: silky | February 5, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA A AHHAHA AH AHAHHA HA AHA HAHA
YADA YADA YADA
HA HA AH AHHA HA AHA HA

Posted by: Silky-i-s-o-b-l-i-v-i-o-u-s | February 5, 2009, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm

OK Ruth did you really just go there?
This is about fiscal differences of opinion. There’s been countless economically clueless WHITE democratic presidents throughout history. To put it in perspective…1 trillion seconds would take us back in time about 35,000 years into caveman times…we’re talking about 8 trillion dollars total spent. How will we pay this back in even a hundred years, you tell us and then maybe we’ll let up on the criticism

Posted by: chris | February 5, 2009, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm

“The wars were demanded by a majority of Americans at the time. Just because the faint at heart changed their minds later on does not mean the wrong decision was made at the time.”
I was protesting the invasion of Iraq before it ever happened. I watched Powell present the evidence before the UN and was unconvinced. I think most people who backed the President did so because they thought he knew more than he was telling. I don’t think they signed up for losing 13 billion to fraud. Funny how your emphasis on “management” is so selective.

Posted by: Amy | February 5, 2009, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm

Posted by: AMY-i-s-o-b-l-i-v-i-o-u-s | February 5, 2009, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

I’m not the one being selective but you’re so “party blind” that you can’t see. I said that the last team did things wrong at times. But your argument is because the last guy lost money to fraud, you should be able to lose it to contraception or the pet project of choice. The only stimulus in your Medicare contraception thought happens below the waist.

Posted by: Watching in Amazement | February 5, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm

Posted by: AMY-i-s-o-b-l-i-v-i-o-u-s | February 5, 2009, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | Feb 5, 2009 12:24:25 PM;
MONROE, you said; ……. “Being president is a hoot beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you for your votes.” ….
I say; “Monroe, today you are Clearly Pandering, seekinjg acceptance of the radical – right. I personally find it embarrassing that you, a 62 year old Black Man – finds it necessary to ‘inject’ your version of “Black Comedy” into the actions of the First African American President of the USA.”
Frankly, I am less offended by the “open racist” contributing here. (At least they’re predictable!)

Posted by: bobj72 | February 5, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm

Bobj72; It’s not about color, but go ahead and be offended if it makes you feel more oppressed.

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | February 5, 2009, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm

Americans need to start taking care of America FIRST. Don’t wait on our corrupt government. Deport all illegals NOW as a first step of taking our country back. Next step is to have all government officials investigated and prosecuted if found guilty of any illegal activities.

Posted by: EndCorruptionNow | February 5, 2009, 3:55 pm 3:55 pm

Silky and Amy, “Hang in there.” Maybe, just maybe “The well intended Conservative Right” can marshall enough courage to employ some civility, respectability, maturity and and intelligence to ‘Clean Up’ the “unintelligible comments” of their Peanut Gallery!

Posted by: bobj72 | February 5, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

If we’ve got to do it right now or else the opportunity will be lost, it’s probably best to let the opportunity pass…as in OMG the world’s going to end if we don’t do something. Bush already used that line. Just simmer down there big guy. You’ll have several years to push your agenda through. Right now we’re broke. When asked how to fix the broken world economy, most experts say “I dunno”. Maybe isn’t good enough when it comes to another trillion dollars of debt. When asked if the recession will end, economists universally say yes. Let the recession run it’s course. Then we’ll talk about spending money we actually have. Most economists predict it will take 10-12 years to recover whether we spend or not, so why spend?

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | February 5, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

The only thing this president was guilty of is trusting Republicans to bypass partisanship and do the right thing for the American people. Instead, these fools attempt to make political points by grandstanding and being obstructionists. Guess they didn’t get the point of the 2006 and 2008 elections. Obama wanted a unity government that actually works to bring this country back from the brink, but I guess this noble purpose is beyond Republicans.

Posted by: DaveM | February 5, 2009, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

AMY –”The alternative, in the Republican plan, is to cut taxes on the wealthiest 1%, to stimulate investment. The only problem is, when Bush tried that, the wealthy invested in the housing market, creating a bubble, which lead to creative mortgages plans, which lead to deficit swap derivatives, which lead to fraud, bad investments…oh, this is depressing.”–Whats depressing is your total lack of understanding and the fact that there are many more like you (Silky)…The “bubble” was not created by investment of stimulus money by the wealthiest 1%.. it was created by deregulation of the mortgage industry which begina with the repeal of Glass-Steagal in 98, began experiencing problems 6 or 8 years ago as more and more companies (freddie and fannie being the two worst) continued to ease standards for getting loans ntil they were basically writing paper on anyone who asked nice..in 2006, several senators led by the now minority rupublicans tried to sound the alarm, but prominent democrats such as franks, dodd, and rangle shot them down.. no one put the brakes onand the runaway train went out of control.. this has NOTHING to do with bush TAX cuts.. NOTHING..

Posted by: arkie vet | February 5, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

Whoever posted the comment trying to make this a race issue has completely offended me, and it’s too ludicrous of a comment to even be a part of this blog. That is exactly the kind of attitude that fosters prejudice, and if you had taken the time to read anything about this bill, you would understand that. Every American deserves to know the details of this bill no matter who is in office.

Posted by: cmc | February 5, 2009, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm

Davem-”Obama wanted a unity government that actually works to bring this country back from the brink, but I guess this noble purpose is beyond Republicans.” — then explain why to this point, he has had 0 discussions with anyone on the other side of the isle on this and why Harry Reid just this morning (while discussing a bipartisan closed door meeting between 17 democrats and 12 republicans) stated that the bill would be voted on “as is” and modified versions WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED… this is working together??

Posted by: arkie vet | February 5, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm

Amy–”Look in the mirror: 1.6 trillion dollars spent on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, 13 billion of that lost to fraud due to the Republican penchent for “privatizing” services previously provided by the military. Republican tax cuts under Bush led to an increase in wealth at the top 1%, while the middle class shrank” — actually the price tag for the war is well over 2 trillion.. 13 billion in fraud… how does that compare to the news today that the original “TARP” bill lost 78 billion to mismanagement…now we want to throw a trillion more at the economy and NONE of it is targeted to accomplish fixing any of the needs of this country…..give me a break on the wealthiest 1% chant…how much oif the total taxes collected in this country do you think comes from the upper levels of earners?

Posted by: arkie vet | February 5, 2009, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm

Isaac–”Do away with republicans and get this stimulus passed this is what the American people want, to make sure economy is fixed before any bipartisan politics.
Republicans used their 8 full years in office to destroy every bit of US economy without even listening to congressional democrats.”–Where do you get that this is what americans want? the majority of Americans DO NOT SUPPORT this piece of crap… support is down to 37% as of today and falling..

Posted by: arkie vet | February 5, 2009, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

Posted by: frank | Feb 5, 2009 10:40:34 AM “Eight years of republicans got us into this trouble, they are NOT going to be who we turn to in order to fix it.”
Ya, because Barney Frank and his minions are our saviors. Bush, Mcain and the REPULICANS wanted to stop Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from pushing us into an Economic disaster. “President” Pelosi is friggen insane. Get on the Democrat’s free ride bus to debtville buddy. Keep riding it till all the money is gone.

Posted by: superguy13 | February 5, 2009, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm

Posted by: superguy13 | Feb 5, 2009 5:35:57 PM;
You said; ….. “Bush, Mcain and the REPULICANS wanted to stop Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from pushing us into an Economic disaster.” …….
I ask; “Please explain how Fannie and Freddie could possibly have done that?”

Posted by: bobj72 | February 5, 2009, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm

It’s so funny to hear republicans say that the government never has created jobs. Guess they forgot about federal, state and local government jobs, public school teachers, university teachers, doctors and nurses in public hospitals, defense contractors, the aerospace industry, public transportation, etc. etc. etc. Repubs are good with words just not deeds or actions. And CW, if you want to talk greed and actions, the Obama administration looks like Boy Scouts compared to Bush’s ragtag crew of deadbeats and criminals. Let’s face it, when do the Taliban repubs ever do anything that doesn’t benefit their party…NEVER. Even the repub governors are begging for the stimulus to pass. If you think the repubs are looking out for your best interest…look back at the past eight years and then now. See where they have gotten us. Wake up pods or else they’ll do it again.

Posted by: pamp205 | February 5, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

So many of you on this discussion – complain, complain, complain about Obama, etc. etc. etc. blah, blah, blah HE INHERITED A MESS! HE IS NOT PERFECT! And what are a lot of you doing about it – sitting on your butts, just gleefully spewing “in your face” ha ha ha I told you so comments about Obama is an idiot or a socialist or ……whatever. Real useful…. real proactive. Yep, that’s going to solve our problems. When are you going to realize that it is WE the people …..Republicans….Democrats….Independents… that have to ultimately do what needs to be done. Ours is supposed to be a participatory democracy! The President cannot do everything – for the most part he (or she) can mostly set a tone….and I sure like the tone of this President – not like the last so called one we just had who told us to go shopping rather than do service when the 9/11 crisis hit. We can’t expect a “big daddy” who will have all the answers and make us feel good. That, more than anything is the terrible legacy the Rove/Cheney/Bush junta left us – Their answer was – Just give us big daddy conservatives the power and we will do what is right for America. WE must not turn our power over to any corporation cartel or partisan cabal in government or any special interest group. WE MUST BECOME A RESILIENT PEOPLE…. NOT A WHINING SHEEPLE!
A Resilient People:
* answer the call for SERVICE rather than just shopping. They participate in their community. Have a LOCAL system in operation to help people thru these tough times.
* would be strong and courageous in the face of crises……. terrorists or a natural disaster. For the latter, they will prepare intelligently. Start, for example, by taking a Red Cross first aid course. Police and fire officials during Katrina stated that if more of the people in New Orleans knew basic first aid procedures a lot less problems would have ensued. For the former we must develop a belief so strong in our way of life that no evil can kowtow us. To do that we must get back to the basics of why our country is here and what our responsibility is. We must instill this in our youth and give them the protocols and skills necessary to survive and excel in an increasingly dangerous world.
* Resilient People would be a frugal and energy conservation minded not because it’s the latest green fad but because it’s wise and efficient and part of their lifestyle. We would save money AND the profits from our energy use would not go to the terrorists.
* Even though these resilient people respect and honor a military, and its prudent use, they will not cower behind it or expect it to solve all the problems in the world.
* will stay in shape so as not to jack up health care and energy costs.
* know and understand their civic responsibility. They have an understanding of what our Constitution is all about and they VOTE!
* have a can-do attitude, they problem solve and they don’t shy away from tough decisions
LET”S BE A RESILIENT PEOPLE AND NOT A WHINING SHEEPLE!

Posted by: prohb | February 5, 2009, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm

Sue, at 8:45 AM stated “BHO approval rating is 39% today.” and unlike previous posters who have cited a fictitious 37% approval, actually had the good taste to post a web site to supposedly back up her claim. Dave, at 9:59 AM repeated the same claim of only a 39% approval rating, without citing any source. Isaac repeated the 37% claim at 5:13 PM. The problem is that the Rasmussen Report cited says no such thing. It says that 39% STRONGLY approve (emphasis added), that 54% approve of President Obama’s handling of the economy in particular, and that President Obama has a +19% differential between those who approve and those who disapprove. That is exactly the opposite of what Sue, Dave and Isaac would have you believe. If they have to lie to you to try to make their point, how much are you willing to believe these people?

Posted by: FactsNotLies | February 5, 2009, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm

Obama needs to get off the campaign trail and into reality. Focus on the blocking and tackling of rebuilding the country and not giving lip service & money to everyone who crosses his path. It’s not your money to give!
This is junior varsity. Cut the financial needs to “must have’s” and throw out “like to have’s”….which includes ACORN and the like.
Come on Obama, you’re better than this!

Posted by: Kathryn Griffin | February 5, 2009, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm

Yes I was Silky and seeing you have problems assimilating facts look down and see where the majority of taxpayers are – it is absolute naievty to expect that group to voluntarily bail out the other, unless they are presented with a well thought out rigorously vetted stimulus bill that can be sold to them as being good for the country.
And that is the other major fact you and others are ignoring – they havent got that.
That slackness of writing the Bill then gives them an out re sacrifice and of course at the same time gives the politicians who represent them a gift political opportunity, which again you have to be terribly naive to expect them not to take advantage of.
After all your favourite party cynically used the war on terror to achieve power, and that is about as politically low as you can go, so you can hardly blame your opposition for using the war on recession in the same way particularly when you give them so much ammunition.
As a matter of fact exactly the same scenario has just happened in Australia with a mooted 41 Billion stimulus Bill, similarly not 100% stimulus targeted (it doesent matter whether the Pork is 2 % as some are claiming here, or 90% as I have seen elsewhere, pork is pork and should not be in this Bill) so the opposition (ironically called Liberals in Australia) have refused to back it and it has been sent to the senate for review before being presented again.
Same modus operandi – this matter is urgent, this bill must be passed etc. etc
Well there is a simple way to achieve that in both countries, present a Bill that is so well written that it would be political suicide for the opposition not to go along with it for the good of the country.
Right now from a political viewpoint realists and hard heads in both opposition parties realise these pork laden and badly targeted (particularly in the USA)bills proabably wont work, so they are diassociating themselves from them to be able to say in a few years, we are the party that told you it wouldnt work, and it hasnt, now vote for us and we will fix things.
The other fact that you and others are ignoring is that this current situation in USA is entirely of the Democrat Party’s making.
If Congress hadnt loaded the pork, if the President had been more hands on and not left everything to Congress then there could have been a bill that the Republicans would have had no choice on – to use a football analogy you left a gap (a huge one at that)and someone ran through it and they may be on their way to a touch down.
Very amateur management Silky, and as I said being in a state of self denial about the realities of that will not help you or your party one iota in the medium to long term and maybe not even in the short term.

Posted by: Gerry Sinclair | February 6, 2009, 12:21 am 12:21 am

Corporate media is in the pocket of the Repubs. NO ONE, I repeat, NO ONE in the mainstream corporate media is calling on Republicans to work with the President. They’re just repeating right wing BS on this issue, claiming Obama has lost, he’s a failure because he won’t do what the Repubs (the minority party, the losers big time of the last election) tell him to do. How many minutes into his presidency did it take? The MSM has never called GWB a failure, and his presidency has been a stunning disaster for our country. The MSM always gives a much larger portion of airtime to the Repubs, who got us into this mess in the first place.

Posted by: pickerap | February 6, 2009, 1:23 am 1:23 am

Im tired of saying I warned of this but no cared to ask the hard questions of this president, im sorry but as a conservative democrat, our party is intent on losing seats next year and we earned the loses that are to come. Now I hear that the new commerce secy Gregg will not be in charge of the new census because lobby groups of Latino and AA groups dont like Gregg background, this what happens when you want the trade-off trying to capture one more senate seat this is going to backfire.
To quote president Obama, “There will be no political influence in my departments by the white house”. Really the Secy of Commerce is over the 2010 census and dems up north are going to lose seats to southern conservative states i.e. Texas and Georgia, this president thinks he is slick but not slicker than me, looks like he trying save seats before they are lost, this guy is making more mistakes and breaking promises by the day, oops everyday

Posted by: QT of Chattanooga | February 6, 2009, 2:13 am 2:13 am

<<<>>
I hadn’t considered his race as a reason to object to this PORK spending bill, but now that you bring it up, it all makes sence. “Take American tax dollars that isn’t yours and waste it”.
Thanks for clearing things up for me!

Posted by: TJ | February 6, 2009, 4:36 am 4:36 am

Posted by: chaos– I think you all are just trying to discredit him because he is an African American.
I hadn’t considered his race as a reason to object to this PORK spending bill, but now that you bring it up, it all makes sence. “Take American tax dollars that isn’t yours and waste it”.
Thanks for clearing things up for me!

Posted by: TJ | February 6, 2009, 4:39 am 4:39 am

President Obama is learning that merely saying we need to do this is not going to cut it I hope. So far he has done nothing that has any positive effect of our nation. His executive orders fund abortion overseas, give unions power over hoped for stimulus funds, tie the hands of employers preventing them from informing employes of union downside, closed Gitmo with now plan as to what to do. He has nominated tax cheats for numerous posts. I thinkthe stimulus package he wants is to payback those who have supported him and the far left. Any one who opposes this bill is doing, in my opinion, the right thing.

Posted by: 1post3 | February 6, 2009, 5:12 am 5:12 am

How come no objections to that pork bill of Bush’s? You Republicans didn’t have a problem with that. Keep up the nonsense and you won’t be in power in 2010 or 2012.

Posted by: Jwench | February 6, 2009, 7:17 am 7:17 am

So far he has done nothing that has any positive effect of our nation.
Posted by: 1post3 | Feb 6, 2009 5:12:25 AM
He’s only been in office two weeks…lol. How do you expect him to undo 8 years of mismanagement in two weeks? Enlighten us all.

Posted by: Jwench | February 6, 2009, 7:20 am 7:20 am

Hey, Gerry…guess what…you’re not half as bright as you’re giving yourself credit for.
“After all your favourite party cynically used the war on terror to achieve power, and that is about as politically low as you can go, so you can hardly blame your opposition for using the war on recession in the same way particularly when you give them so much ammunition.”
I don’t have a “favorite party”, but I see how you like to frame things any way that suits your fancy. This so-called “war on terror” did not belong in Iraq. The reason we went into Iraq was WMDs that weren’t there. So now we’re going to rewrite history and say it was for the “war on terror?” BS. As for a “war on recession”, whatever. I have no problem with what the Republicans are doing right now. This thing is too big to not get thoroughly scrubbed. I haven’t said anything about the Republicans handling of the bill. Nothing.

Posted by: silky | February 6, 2009, 9:26 am 9:26 am

“The other fact that you and others are ignoring is that this current situation in USA is entirely of the Democrat Party’s making.
If Congress hadnt loaded the pork, if the President had been more hands on and not left everything to Congress then there could have been a bill that the Republicans would have had no choice on – to use a football analogy you left a gap (a huge one at that)and someone ran through it and they may be on their way to a touch down.”
Are you talking about the state of the economy or the status of the bill? There isn’t that much “pork” on the bill. Please tell me exactly what you’re refering to.

Posted by: silky | February 6, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am

Silky – Isn’t that much PORK on the bill!?? Man, are you nuts or what!!! IT’s FULL of PORK.

Posted by: M. Smith | February 6, 2009, 9:35 am 9:35 am

It’s interesting. Why do Republicans hate government so? You would think, they wouldn’t run for public office since they seem soooooooo much against government doing its job, which is to make sure all of its citizens are thriving and doing well. Republicans are screaming more tax cuts (for the wealthy of course) and Democrates are screaming (more spending for those who are not wealthy). Which of these groups really care about the well being of all Americans? It seems as if the Republican party has declared war on this country. If they really are interested in doing what’s best for Americans they wouldn’t be soooooo dogmatic about trying to prove to President Obama that he is not the HNIC, but rather saying what can we do to help make things better for all Americans and not just the sons of 1st and 2nd generation wealthy European immigrants who had very little participation in the building of the United States of America. We are in a war of cultures in this country between the have nots and the haves. There are more have nots than haves sooo lets do something about it! Let’s win so all Americans can have.

Posted by: mims | February 6, 2009, 9:44 am 9:44 am

Posted by: mims | Feb 6, 2009 9:44:43 AM;
mims, you said; ….. “If they really are interested in doing what’s best for Americans they wouldn’t be soooooo dogmatic about trying to prove to President Obama that he is not the HNIC, but rather saying what can we do to help make things better for all Americans and not just the sons of 1st and 2nd generation wealthy European immigrants who had very little participation in the building of the United States of America. …….”
I say; “Such an uncultivated, uncouth, pedestrian and lowbrow acronym detracts GREATLY from an otherwise reasonably articulated position.”

Posted by: bobj72 | February 6, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am

“Republicans are screaming more tax cuts (for the wealthy of course) and Democrates are screaming (more spending for those who are not wealthy).” — Posted by: mims
——————————————
This type of rhetoric really needs to stop – it’s divisive and untrue. The reality is that Republicans and many Democrats are trying to pare down the bill so that it is a “stimulus bill” not an “appropriations” bill. Stimulus is stimulus. Spending is spending. Let’s keep the two separate.
Clinton’s and Bush’s stimulus plans (only a fraction of this whopping dollar amount) were also widely debated and controversial. Obama is fooling only himself if he expects that a $800+ spending plan, guised as a stimulus package, won’t be challenged. It’s the Senate’s job to challenge it!

Posted by: Just looking | February 6, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am

Posted by: Just looking
Agreed! It’s the Senates’ job (as it is all of Congress.) Where the “rub” comes is the “total lack of challenge” by these same folks to the similar sized, 4th quarter “bailout bill” proposed by the previous administration.

Posted by: bobj72 | February 6, 2009, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm

This item must be the highlight of the bill…everybody knows that the politicians are adding items that will benefit the lobbyists/vested interests that they took money from in one form or another…I would like to know which one of our elected representatives included the item about building a “shelter” for women in the oldest profession!!! He must be the king of fundraisers!!! Wonder what the payback was….

Posted by: VR | February 6, 2009, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

The race card that keeps coming up in this blog is getting old. I wish you morons would come up with something better. I don’t care if the President was Black, White, Hispanic, Asian or American Indian. This stimulas plan is just plain bull!

Posted by: Jaye | February 6, 2009, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm

Would someone please stand up in each chamber of the House and Senate, just call them out about their whining and crying for “trickle down economics” at the behest of their big-business backers. Yes there is some pork here, both for Republicans and Democrats alike. But (and I’m sorry Johnny) we need the economy kick started now. We lost 600,000 jobs last month alone. Give the President authority to line-item veto any pork he sees fit. Let’s kick start the economy, then fix the problems with campaign finance reform, scrap the tax code and make a flat tax system with (and read my lips 41) NO LOOPHOLES OR EXEMPTIONS FOR CORPORATIONS FROM PAYING TAXES, with a flat tax system of 12 to 15% starting with those making above 25k a year and all corporations (who shouldn’t complain since if they are really paying their taxes are paying at a rate of 35% (wait did I just type that, if all of those companies who were making record profits were actually paying…. oh yeah we have a tax code which in digital form is 24 megabytes in length just as a text file (my first hard drive was 20mb) most of that tax code is cryptic exemptions for corporations who can “lobby” members of congress to stick it in as a blind item (because no one is willing to read that onerous turd of annual legislation or has the resources to decode it). If we were keeping the money we earn, we could both spend it and save some (I’m in the 25% range). Here is even just a common sense idea, have an executive order to the IRS to give a list of each person or company to utilize a cryptic “exemption” in the tax code. Then out them very publicly so that we can get tax reform, no member of congress or the senate would dare stand in the way of reform when if they would, it would in some small way link them to all of the big businesses who’ve screwed up this country for their executives gain. Sorry to get on the soapbox everyone, the tax code is so unfair, it is now taxation without representation (since the people who were supposed to represent us are in corporate pockets).
And speaking of corporations… you all know this was coming, “globalization” is a sham, meant to drop tariffs which protect items made here from foreign competition coming in and taking our market share by bringing them into pricing parity with american made goods. In reality this works, not always in our favor, because sometimes what is coming here is still better than what is made here and they lose market share and eventually die (Zenith losing market share to Sony, JVC, Samsung, etc. was because of lack of innovation and quality).
An example of globalization. Toys made here were of excellent quality and were made under stringent guidelines meant to protect children, globalization opened markets in countries where the costs were less (and no one can afford american made goods by the way) companies moved their manufacturing overseas where they could make and ship the same item for a quarter of what they paid to make it here. Without any regard for environmental, social, economic, or safety issues that would arise from dealing with third world nations (and corrupt political regimes who don’t care for their own people’s well being, let alone ours). We cannot be a country without a manufacturing base, such philosophy is the result of a deranged individual or an idiot (got that 43?). Time for Change has come, I know that 44 has been trying to be nice and bi-partisan which has left him in this mess because the GOP has nothing left but “pork barrel projects, need more tax cuts for corporations”. Time for nice is over, as Harry Truman had on his desk, The Buck Stops Here. Time to put on the steel-toes (metaphorically) and put boot to butt.

Posted by: The Doctor | February 7, 2009, 3:49 am 3:49 am

Posted by: worker man | Feb 5, 2009 11:17:35 AM;
“worker man”; You started ‘on the right track’, by saying “I try to stay out of race debates.”
I say; “You were right, but obviously your emotions overcame your common sense and ability to reason.”
You said; “blacks would rather cry racist then listen to a valid point. But to say it is OK for blacks to feel “resentment” towards whites because of slavery is, well, stupid.”
I say; “As an adequately knowledgeable Black Man, “Most African American’s at some point in their lives, have experienced a feeling of resentment toward those responsibility for slavery.” (A rather reasonable emotion, I would say. Also, the same probably serves true for Caucasian Indentured Servants.)
You also said; “Since black Africans began the process by capturing and selling them to the highest bidder.
Start there if you want a group to be angry with.”
I say; “Cultural wars, acquisition of land and taking of the ‘spoils of war’ existed throughout the African Continent, as well as it did in other cultures, north of Africa.” Quite a different dynamic for a foreign culture to enter into the trading of a people, who they saw as inhuman. (“The Middle Passage” reinforced the politics of the slave trade.) So, frankly you’re in the wrong end of ‘the race debate pool’ – with an ‘inadequate stroke’ to be credible or formidable. By far the worst thing a white guy could do, is attempt to ‘come off’ as an expert, or even reasonably knowledgeable of ‘Black Stuff’; History, Psychology, Sociology, Motivations, etc. ‘Back off.’

Posted by: bobj72 | February 7, 2009, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm

Silky wars are wars, there is no such thing as a good or bad war because by definition all wars are morally wrong as people get killed.
The trick is to stay out of them if you can, but once you are in one there are only two words that count win or lose.
I have problems with anyone who doesent back their country when it is at war reagardless of what reservations they have, and I have bigger problems with Politicians who use the emotianalism of a country being at war for their own ends.
How the war started is now absolutely irrelevant, but what you and others should be asking yourself is not why the USA went into Iraq but why Saddaam Hussein did not take steps to prevent that happening (and I dont mean military steps)
That question is being asked (finally) and I believe there is a book that has just been released by someone who should know (as opposed to a journalist)
who canvases the two most logical reasons the first being that Russia, Germany & France were acting out of self interest and probably undermined the USA instead of backing it (if they had of presented a united front it was most likely that there would not have been any war – now there is something for all those who are worried about what Europe thinks to ponder on!)
The second reason was the most logical of all & that was Saddaam refused to fully cooperate with inspections etc as he WANTED Iran & Israel to believe that he did have WMD i.e he was playing a high stakes poker game which he had done successfully against the West and the USA before and won – this time he lost.

Posted by: Gerry Sinclair | February 8, 2009, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm

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