From DMAN, AT The Thought Spigot
President Obama may have more of an uphill climb, than he may have thought. The $900 billion "Stimulus Package" (passed in a mere eight days), which is over 650 pages long, is not much of a "Stimulus" at all. Crafted mainly, by Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Rangel, the package passed the House. Yet, all republicans and some of the "Blue Bloods" voted against the deal. In just day 10 of the Obama Presidency, there is a reckoning to the "old way" of politics and partisanship, under Mr. Obama.
In her interview, just after the package passed the House, Nancy Pelosi said, "I take credit for the action taken by the congress." Although, Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper said, "Here we are in the first week of the most exciting Presidency, in half a century, and the old bulls are back, trying to conduct business as usual." When reporters questioned Pelosi, on the comments of those who chose "Nay" on the bill, asked about individual issues of the bill, and the enormous amount of money to be spent (not going for economic stimulus, but for pet projects), she said, "I didn't come here to be partisan, bi-partisan, I came here with my colleagues to be non-partisan." However, her stay as a California Congresswoman (California), she has voted Democratic/down party lines almost 95% of the time?
What is the big deal, all about? Most economists evaluate the actual price tag of the "Stimulus Package" to be around $1.4 trillion, before it is all said and done. Other problems, on the republican side of the aisle, not enough tax breaks, or cuts. (Ex. Some Republicans want a holiday on FICA and/or S. S. taxes for working Americans. This would give people an immediate influx of extra money to spend into the economy and it would also save businesses money, to reinvest, grow, and in some cases look to upgrade) Then there is the problem of a bill over 650 pages long, which congress has not had the chance to read, massage, and make any changes to. One of the first rules in business and life, "never sign, or endorse on paper, anything you have not read entirely."
Remember, the package is to "stimulate the economy," not to fix schools, teach sex education, re-sod things, or to do anything other than getting the American and world economy (hopefully) back to "pre-Wall Street, Credit, and Housing failings." Having the government spend more tax payer/the people's money than "Desert Storm", the current Iraq war, and the war in Afghanistan combined, few congressman/senators have read, and with things still in the bill like: $75 million for stopping smoking, $6 billion to weatherize "modest-income" housing, $6 billion on making high speed Internet access for rural areas, $43 billion for increased unemployment benefits, and there is more and more examples (link at the end of the article will spell most of it out). In a time when Americans are not able to buy food, health insurance, pay mortgages, and are living pay check to pay check, there is not going to be a lot of interest in "weatherized modest income housing."
At least there is something you can do. Some of these things can be taken out of the package, and most certainly some things will be. However, the only way to get the word out and make a difference is emailing, writing and calling local, state, and federal representatives. The Stimulus Package in itself, may be a horrible idea. The banking, car, stock market, health, and education systems could all become ruled over by our government (congress, senate, and President). America is heading toward a Western Europe, quasi-socialist form, right now. Is this what America is all about, has come to, and will Americans stand up and voice opinion? Next step is the Senate, for them to trim a little bit and add a little bit of tax cuts, appease the republicans (in the House), but it is still the American people's future and money being spent, by Congress (who crafted the bill). A Congress that has a 18-20% approval rating, with the American people. This does not sound like a winning formula and Barack Obama wants to sign this into law/pass the package, by President's Day. There is not much time left, what will you do?
Here is a site which breaks down the "Stimulus Package" and all the pork and bull, our money is going to buy: (http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/20639/)
In her interview, just after the package passed the House, Nancy Pelosi said, "I take credit for the action taken by the congress." Although, Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper said, "Here we are in the first week of the most exciting Presidency, in half a century, and the old bulls are back, trying to conduct business as usual." When reporters questioned Pelosi, on the comments of those who chose "Nay" on the bill, asked about individual issues of the bill, and the enormous amount of money to be spent (not going for economic stimulus, but for pet projects), she said, "I didn't come here to be partisan, bi-partisan, I came here with my colleagues to be non-partisan." However, her stay as a California Congresswoman (California), she has voted Democratic/down party lines almost 95% of the time?
What is the big deal, all about? Most economists evaluate the actual price tag of the "Stimulus Package" to be around $1.4 trillion, before it is all said and done. Other problems, on the republican side of the aisle, not enough tax breaks, or cuts. (Ex. Some Republicans want a holiday on FICA and/or S. S. taxes for working Americans. This would give people an immediate influx of extra money to spend into the economy and it would also save businesses money, to reinvest, grow, and in some cases look to upgrade) Then there is the problem of a bill over 650 pages long, which congress has not had the chance to read, massage, and make any changes to. One of the first rules in business and life, "never sign, or endorse on paper, anything you have not read entirely."
Remember, the package is to "stimulate the economy," not to fix schools, teach sex education, re-sod things, or to do anything other than getting the American and world economy (hopefully) back to "pre-Wall Street, Credit, and Housing failings." Having the government spend more tax payer/the people's money than "Desert Storm", the current Iraq war, and the war in Afghanistan combined, few congressman/senators have read, and with things still in the bill like: $75 million for stopping smoking, $6 billion to weatherize "modest-income" housing, $6 billion on making high speed Internet access for rural areas, $43 billion for increased unemployment benefits, and there is more and more examples (link at the end of the article will spell most of it out). In a time when Americans are not able to buy food, health insurance, pay mortgages, and are living pay check to pay check, there is not going to be a lot of interest in "weatherized modest income housing."
At least there is something you can do. Some of these things can be taken out of the package, and most certainly some things will be. However, the only way to get the word out and make a difference is emailing, writing and calling local, state, and federal representatives. The Stimulus Package in itself, may be a horrible idea. The banking, car, stock market, health, and education systems could all become ruled over by our government (congress, senate, and President). America is heading toward a Western Europe, quasi-socialist form, right now. Is this what America is all about, has come to, and will Americans stand up and voice opinion? Next step is the Senate, for them to trim a little bit and add a little bit of tax cuts, appease the republicans (in the House), but it is still the American people's future and money being spent, by Congress (who crafted the bill). A Congress that has a 18-20% approval rating, with the American people. This does not sound like a winning formula and Barack Obama wants to sign this into law/pass the package, by President's Day. There is not much time left, what will you do?
Here is a site which breaks down the "Stimulus Package" and all the pork and bull, our money is going to buy: (http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/20639/)
