House approves Obama's $819 bil stimulus package
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31 Comments
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0
adaydream
When this country finally drags its tired ass out of this disasterous economical recession and possible depression brought on by the spending habits of george bush and the republicans these last 8 years I don't want to hear a single republican talking about the bi-partician deplomacy it took to work out of this recession.
The first 6 years they ran through everything they wanted. The next 2 years george bush vetoed everything the democrats tried to do. We'll use our power now, even if the republicans want to stage this no vote for dramatics.
Then all those changes that were made for the republicans should be reversed if they didn't intend to vote for it at all. < :-)
0
Sarge
"A GOP alternative, comprised almost entirely of tax cuts, was defeated"
Well, of course! That would have given folks more of their money to spend as they see fit! Can't have that!
0
adaydream
But it wouldn't provide or save jobs.
Jobs are what we need to stimulate the economy, not more tax breaks? < :-)
0
skipthesong
Among the funding measures included in the proposal are $25 million for new ATV trails;" what kind of hicks and hillbillys need new trails
$400 million for the National Endowment for the Arts;" You've got to be kidding me.
$400 million for global warming research;" Good news for me!
$335 million for the Centers for Disease Control to combat sexually-transmitted diseases;" Never mind having responsible sex
and $650 million coupons to subsidize TV viewers for digital television conversion." How about this, instead of coupons, how about just simply giving TVs away? Do the numbers, my idea is less than half that.
0
IcingDeath
I expected as much to happen. I am not mad at republicans, however, for their decisions and neither is President Obama. I will give him credit for his character if anything. He is at least trying to keep his word. I fear however, that his big problem is probably his own party who refuse to play ball with the president and his new rules.
0
telecasterplayer
Good. Then when some recovery starts to occur, the Dems will own it.
If you can provide some rock-solid proof that tax cuts create jobs, I'll listen. But we did it the republican way for 8 years and it didn't work.
0
VOR
Republicans as well as eleven Democrats were wise not to vote for this...i'm not even sure what to call it. Obama, Pelosi and Reid own it fully and they will live with the results of it. Hang on world, the flood of dollars and the doubling of debt is about to knock the greenback's chinny chin chin in the dirt. Thank you Obama, gold at $2000 an ounce is almost a sure thing.
0
USAFdude
Obama's trying to reach across the aisle, but the Republicans are trying to smack away his hand. Pathetic. No wonder they lost in droves.
The Congressional Republicans are acting like petulant children; treat them only as such.
0
wuzzademcrat
Let the crypto-Marxists and the loser left own this boondoggle.
0
SezWho2
The Republican plan was defeated rather soundly owing to a great Democratic majority. 2 Democrats, however, did vote for it. 9 Republicans voted against it.
I find it a little astonishing that all of the 9 Republicans chose to dig their heels in and vote as a bloc against the Democratic plan. Silly wabbits.
0
VOR
More like a major slap in the face. Obama is paying mere lip service to the Republicans. He even said so when he told them "he won". If Obamalamadingdong was more than just talk, he would have made more of an effort to find something the Republicans could live with. This is a massive spend and tax measure that rewards the Democratic base at the detriment of the nation. The fleecing of America continues.
0
IcingDeath
First off, I will commend Obama for at least trying to reach across the isle. It is far more than Bush and the Republican dominated congress did over the last 8 years. Secondly, what most of you seem to be forgetting is that this bill was drafted by democrats in the house and not by Obama himself. He put his stamp of approval on it, but it is not really his baby. Secondly, even though he is currently the most powerful man on the earth, he can't just edit this thing all willy nilly like. Some of you guys seem to overlook two big obstacles...Pelosi and Reid. Mark my words, they and all of there far left friends will prove to be much more of a thorn in Obama's side than anything from the Repubs. If he doesn't play ball, they will freeze him out. It will be the Andrew Johnson Admin. all over again.
0
SezWho2
VOR,
I don't think we know the context in which Obama said, "I won." Do we know who told the press that Obama said it? Do you think that Obama could have been in a situation such that, despite his efforts to reach across the aisle he met with the same kind of stubborn resistance that saw the House Republicans unanimously vote against the Democratic measure?
Obama did win. More accurately, however, the Republicans and their policies lost. Obama has a mandate to do exactly what the House has done here. It may not work but the nation fundamentally rebuked the Republican party and its doctrine of tax-cuts as a one-size-fits-all instrument for economic health.
Unlike his predecessor, Obama did not speak to the nation and declare that he won and that he would now pursue his mandate. He made that comment in closed chambers. And, unless we know otherwise--and I certainly don't--it might have been an appropriate reminder to an uncompromising resistance. And that comment may never have been meant to go outside the meaning room divorced from the context in which it was uttered.
0
Sarge
"Jobs are what we need to stimulate the economy, not more tax breaks"
Tax breaks will give people more money to spend as they see fit, thus creating meaningful jobs, not government make-work jobs. This is a fundamental difference between Republicans and Democrats.
"when some recovery starts to occur, the Dems will own it"
The U.S. economy will recover in spite of Obama and the Democrats.
0
SezWho2
skipthesong,
What have you got against funding the National Endowment for the Arts? The arts are an important part of any culture and artists have to eat, too. That's difficult enough in flush times and much worse when corporations lose the ability to subsidize artists.
Combatting global warming was an important part of his campaign. Sexually transmitted diseases are a problem and abstinence programs have not been successful in eliminating it so we do need cures for those diseases. And, as far as television is concerned, maybe you could explain exactly what is meant by "coupons to subsidize TV viewers for digital television conversion" and then show your math as to why your plan is better. Better yet, if you are convinced it is better, draft a letter to Obama with copies to Reid and Senators Inouye, Cochran, Baucus, and Grassley or whatever committee chairs are appropriate if not the Finance or Appropriations committees.
0
skipthesong
sez,
Have you ever been to any of their events? The last thing they need is cash. I got a big issue with it. That is a large amount and mind you many of those running that show are pretty prejudiced on what is art and what is not. If they are subsidizing any artists, you better go walk around the streets of NYC or SF and let them know.
Combatting global warming was an important part of his campaign." I didn't oppose it, I said thats good for me. It really helps me.
But, as for the std, hey I ain't never got nothing. Teach responsibilities! How about putting more into Cancer instead of some irresponsible STD?
Look at that amount. We got 350,000,000 people, so basically $2 for each person. Of that number a big % are children, people who are coupled up and grouped up, so that should leave us with how many people? Now, of that number, how many will get a coupon since they don't fall into the bracket that is going to get them anyway. Again, the number gets smaller and smaller. We could take that money to China, help them out too, have all the needed TVs made and shipped to each house hold that needs one which since so many have already purchased them again the number gets smaller. You must be too young, but I remember Atari and PacMan!
No, I won't write a letter to Obama. Like he's going to listen to me.
0
skipthesong
sez:
look at this and tell me if you don't a little pissed http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/28/special-groups-line-piece-stimulus/
0
VOR
don't get me wrong my ultra left of center arch enemies, obamalamadingdong got 52% of the vote making him the clear winner and the democrats with a clear majority in both chambers can do whatever they want. But that doesn't mean 58 million people who voted for mccain are required to go along with everything dingdong and his ban of crooks want to implement. the donks can choose to do it their way or they can choose an approach that does not disenfranchise millions and millions of American taxpayers. the point being, the democrats have crafted a spend and tax package that they own completely; a package that not even they really know if its going to work. two years from now it will be clear and the voters once again will have their say. two years after we go back and vote on the presidency. Carter started out with the same fanfare and expectations and we all know what a miserable failure he turned out to be.
0
adaydream
VOR what you described is exactly how the democrats felt when george bush took office. We/I complained about it, but my whiny little voice didn;t do me any good. I watched how mr. bush walked all over the needs of the people for a bunch of lobbiest and his personal and his father's interest.
This time you're complaining. And the things that the democrats want are inconsistant with your wishes. I feel for you.
But this time, most of the money being allocated is going to stop the bleeding of this recession and not to special interest or the top 1% of the population.
I'm glad to see it pass. < :-)
0
skipthesong
not to special interest or the top 1% of the population." And just who makes up the NEA? did you read the link? Check out those special interest groups that are getting the piece of pie automatically even before this is dished out.
0
yabits
For a detailed report of how much more the Democrats' plan just approved will stimulate the economy compared to the Republican alternative, see the following link. It includes a state-by-state rundown of how the benefits of the stimulus package will be distributed, and loads of evidence why tax cuts won't cut the mustard.
http://www.ctj.org/pdf/housestimulusupdate.pdf
0
skipthesong
yabits: are you kidding me? You just gave me the excuse NOT to pay taxes!
0
SuperLib
NEA funding shouldn't be included in this bill, obviously. Making the debate about supporting the NEA or not is basic propaganda.
On another note, the package includes about $275 billion in tax cuts which is by far the biggest piece of the pie. People talk as if they aren't included.
0
USAFdude
VOR -
Like I said, the Republicans are acting like petulant children; VOR presents a clear example of one.
0
USAFdude
Correction: The U.S. economy will recover due to Obama and the Democrats. There we are, much more accurate.
0
Sarge
"The U.S. economy will recover due to Obama and the Democrats"
Correction: The U.S. economy will recover in spite of President Obama and the Democrats.
0
AlfGarnett
Sage: It was your favourite Mr Dumbo BUsh , he made all of yhis poverty innit! Strewth, surely you can see that.
Good luck to the new fella, he's got more brains than Bush and seems like better ideas. Couldn't do worse than Bush, so that is a bonus and all that for America and the world.
0
buddha4brains
WOW a $275 B tax cut and the GOP are unhappy? I can understand differences over this item or that, but a wholesale rejection? I guess the GOP think that infrastructure is built by elves while they sleep.
0
VOR
I hope you are right
you are joking right?
0
SezWho2
skipthesong,
I get upset just having to go to Fox News. However, no, the article itself did not upset me--except to the extent that the article appears to be nitpicking.
Go to the NEA home page and look at the grants section and look at the scope of the grants the NEA makes. While you're there, look at the financial summary and see where its money comes from and how it is spent.
Putting this funding in this bill is gives traction to folks who want to whinge about their money being spent unnecessarily. That doesn't mean that the money isn't necessary. If people didn't complain about this, they would complain about something else.
0
adaydream
We just went through 8 years of republican dominance. 6 years of everything the republicans wanted went through and 2 years of anything the democrats wanted got vetoed by the president.
Now it's the democrats time to try to correct and repair some the damages that mr. bush and the republicans have done to this country. The republicans had their chance and we are now scratching our way out of hole of dispair created by arrogance and ineptitude.
So for the next few years the republicans are going to have to deal with a different mind set. A mind set of helping all the people, not just their ilk. The mind set of we have to rebuild the country and stop the bleeding/stealing by the republicans and their contractors.
It's the new face of America. < :-)
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