Romney's take on the stimulus plan - CNN

[shootfighter1]

Agreed straw.  Obama cannot allign himself with Pelosi and company.  If so, he will loose the support of the moderates and independents, most of who supported him.
I know he reached out to talk to republicans but little action happened.  Most of the republican suggestions have been shot down so it doesn't matter how much Obama talks to them, if we see no action then its a failed effort.  It looked good but little else.

[240 is Back]

it's funny.  the same people who declared obama was toast back in the rev. wright days, are doing the same now.  It's less than 3 weeks into his term.  He's completely reversing economic policy - in essence, taking it FROM the rich and giving it TO the poor.

Are you sure you want to make your evaluation already?  He does have 201 weeks left in office, or 409 weeks, if he wins in 2009.

[Soul Crusher]

it's funny.  the same people who declared obama was toast back in the rev. wright days, are doing the same now.  It's less than 3 weeks into his term.  He's completely reversing economic policy - in essence, taking it FROM the rich and giving it TO the poor.

Are you sure you want to make your evaluation already?  He does have 201 weeks left in office, or 409 weeks, if he wins in 2009.

THAT IS COMMUNISM BUDDY.

[tonymctones]

it's funny.  the same people who declared obama was toast back in the rev. wright days, are doing the same now.  It's less than 3 weeks into his term.  He's completely reversing economic policy - in essence, taking it FROM the rich and giving it TO the poor.

Are you sure you want to make your evaluation already?  He does have 201 weeks left in office, or 409 weeks, if he wins in 2009.

you should really be carful 240...


























if you keep your head up obamas ass all day when he sits down youre just gonna slide right up there.

[shootfighter1]

It sure is (communistic/socialistic).  Those that thought he wouldn't push for a more socialist style government are being proven wrong.

Man, I am really disappointed with the nation.  Although numbers have dropped, 51% of people in a CNN poll still favor the 'economic stimulus' spending package.  How f'n ignorant and irresponsible.  If the people can't reign in their own government in regards to excessive spending then we are doomed to high taxes and the inefficiencies of big government.  We've bitched about excessive spending for the last 6-7 yrs...why is this different? 
How can anyone back this piece of shit bill in its current form.  I chaulk it up to people not informing themselves.  At least 49% of the nation has some sense.  People make too many damn decisions with emotion without evaluating whats really going on.  This whole election has been about emotion and what makes people feel good.  Discouraging.

[Straw Man]

it's funny.  the same people who declared obama was toast back in the rev. wright days, are doing the same now.  It's less than 3 weeks into his term.  He's completely reversing economic policy - in essence, taking it FROM the rich and giving it TO the poor.

Are you sure you want to make your evaluation already?  He does have 201 weeks left in office, or 409 weeks, if he wins in 2009.

We don't yet know what Obama and Congress are doing so it's a little premature to say he's taking from the "rich" and giving to the "poor"

[shootfighter1]

But we do have some indication based on this horrible bill, limiting compensation of executives, expanding medicaid and food stamp programs, increased funding to education, support of unions, denying logical tax breaks for people and businesses, expanding government, increasing government jobs.  These are socialistic ideas.

Its hard to say which is the far left democrats and which of these ideas are Obamas...nevertheless, Obama isn't changing the direction of flow so he is ultimately responsible for the direction of things.

You guys notice there is no money going toward nuclear power?  tons of money into green projects but no nuclear.  Guess that sums up how Obama feels about Nuclear energy.  Man, I hate to say it, but things are becoming clearer to me.  Many of the reservations some of us had about full democratic control are coming to fruition.

[Straw Man]

But we do have some indication based on this horrible bill, limiting compensation of executives, expanding medicaid and food stamp programs, increased funding to education, support of unions, denying logical tax breaks for people and businesses, expanding government, increasing government jobs.  These are socialistic ideas.

Its hard to say which is the far left democrats and which of these ideas are Obamas...nevertheless, Obama isn't changing the direction of flow so he is ultimately responsible for the direction of things.

You guys notice there is no money going toward nuclear power?  tons of money into green projects but no nuclear.  Guess that sums up how Obama feels about Nuclear energy.  Man, I hate to say it, but things are becoming clearer to me.  Many of the reservations some of us had about full democratic control are coming to fruition.

the only exec's getting pay limits are from those companies who got our tax $$$'s
what's your beef with increased funding for education and govt. jobs which will probably go to things like infrastrucure, etc.? What's the problem with support of Unions - that's what built the middle class in this country which is the majority of consumer spending.  This is all basic stuff that we've seem to have forgotten.

We didn't hear a peep out the Repubs the last 8 years and they wasted our money on their own port and as Bush piled up huge amounts of debt and blew up the size of govt. 

I'm willing to sit back and wait and see what's actually in this bill before I get all worked up.

[shootfighter1]

Straw, we'd have to agree to disagree on Unions and education.  We've had the union debate before...while they had a good purpose historically, they are a huge albatross now.

Strategic focus on education is good but this bill blindly doubles spending.  We have seen increased spending on education the last 20 yrs...obviously blind spending is not the answer.  (I don't think our schools will ever regain their prominence unless families and the culture change...teachers aren't parents).

I am ok with putting limitations on money given to private institutions though I feel tax money should not have been given in the first place.  Still, as a whole, these are socialistic ideas.

Again, no need to compare with Bush as a justification.  Liberals keep doing that.  Bush made bad judgements economically and it seems Obama is making his own mistakes in allowing Pelosi and the far lefties have their way with our money and our country.  Treat them separate.

[Straw Man]

Straw, we'd have to agree to disagree on Unions and education.  We've had the union debate before...while they had a good purpose historically, they are a huge albatross now.

Strategic focus on education is good but this bill blindly doubles spending.  We have seen increased spending on education the last 20 yrs...obviously blind spending is not the answer.  (I don't think our schools will ever regain their prominence unless families and the culture change...teachers aren't parents).

I am ok with putting limitations on money given to private institutions though I feel tax money should not have been given in the first place.  Still, as a whole, these are socialistic ideas.

Again, no need to compare with Bush as a justification.  Liberals keep doing that.  Bush made bad judgements economically and it seems Obama is making his own mistakes in allowing Pelosi and the far lefties have their way with our money and our country.  Treat them separate.

Obama (and really all of us) are left to deal with Bush's crap for years to come and I think it's valid to compare Bush and more importantly the Repubs in Congress who are still there now and were there for all of Bush's term.  The same Repubs who loaded up the pork the last 8 years are now all of sudden against virtually any kind of domestic spending in favor of tax cuts. 

[pumphard]

I'd like just one these Republican drones to show some proof that tax cuts actually stimulate spending.  Lack of spending (aka demand or the capacity to spend) is the problem.   If the govt starts spending it puts $$$'s in people's pocket and they start spending and the whole thing starts loosening up.  It's Econ 101.

Socialist spending like they're doing in Europe, has never worked to stimulate the economy, how much more proof do you need......

[grab an umbrella]

Socialist spending like they're doing in Europe, has never worked to stimulate the economy, how much more proof do you need......

Some people never choose to understand certain things.  Socialism has failed in almost every instance, but some people still, for some reason, think it will work in this country. 

[Straw Man]

Government spending is not socialism and no one is suggesting a fundamental change in the nature of country. 

[grab an umbrella]

Government spending is not socialism and no one is suggesting a fundamental change in the nature of country. 

Your buddy obama is suggesting fundamental change.

[Straw Man]

Your buddy obama is suggesting fundamental change.

I don't see it

[War-Horse]

Oh, change is coming because the needs of the world outweigh your's.    If the dollar collapses then we will all be equal.  If you have 100k in your account and the bank lets you withdraw it..it wont matter.....youll have as much money as the bag lady on the street.

Youll be wiping your ass with 100 dollar bills soon.     Remember when i said your 8 hrs a day of work aint worth any more than anyone elses 8 hrs a day.  Its only your imagination that you thought you were better to society, than the guy sweeping the parking lot.

But you say.  Hey, Im an architecht, im educated, i deserve 40 times your pay....................h ahahaha......good stuff coming.

[Hereford]

you're right that a reduction in payroll tax would have an immediate and permanent effect on stimulating/creating demand.  They could even lower it on the first 100k and then add back the part they deducted to people making over 500k or some similar plan.   I'm not buying the idea that Repubs are looking out for my interest.  If they were they would have showed some fiscal discipline on the money that was wasted or simply lost in Iraq and all the $$$'s that were lost through graft and corruption in Katrina relief, etc...   

I think any Repub who votes against the stimulus plan should have their state eliminated from receiving any federal funds.  Let's help them make their actions consistent with their words.

Sure guy,

And could those states then be exempt from having to pay into the asinine bailout? Can they get away from paying taxes that go to all your Dems liberal financial ratholes?

[Straw Man]

What got cut from the stimulus billStory Highlights

• Bipartisan group of senators reaches compromise on stimulus bill
  
  Items partially cut include funds for FBI construction, federal hybrid cars, EPA
  
  Items entirely cut include funds for federal prisons, NASA, school construction

(CNN) -- A coalition of Democrats and some Republicans reached a compromise that trimmed billions in spending from an earlier version of the Senate economic stimulus bill.

CNN obtained, from a Democratic leadership aide, a list of some programs that have been cut, either entirely or partially:

Partially cut:

• $3.5 billion for energy-efficient federal buildings (original bill $7 billion)

• $75 million from Smithsonian (original bill $150 million)

• $200 million from Environmental Protection Agency Superfund (original bill $800 million)

• $100 million from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (original bill $427 million)

• $100 million from law enforcement wireless (original bill $200 million)

• $300 million from federal fleet of hybrid vehicles (original bill $600 million)

• $100 million from FBI construction (original bill $400 million)

Fully eliminated

• $55 million for historic preservation

• $122 million for Coast Guard polar icebreaker/cutters

• $100 million for Farm Service Agency modernization

• $50 million for Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

• $65 million for watershed rehabilitation

• $100 million for distance learning

• $98 million for school nutrition

• $50 million for aquaculture

• $2 billion for broadband

• $100 million for National Institute of Standards and Technology

• $50 million for detention trustee

• $25 million for Marshalls Construction

• $300 million for federal prisons

• $300 million for BYRNE Formula grant program

• $140 million for BYRNE Competitive grant program

• $10 million state and local law enforcement

• $50 million for NASA

• $50 million for aeronautics

• $50 million for exploration

• $50 million for Cross Agency Support

• $200 million for National Science Foundation

• $100 million for science

• $1 billion for Energy Loan Guarantees

• $4.5 billion for General Services Administration

• $89 million General Services Administration operations

• $50 million fromDepartment of Homeland Security

• $200 million Transportation Security Administration

• $122 million for Coast Guard Cutters, modifies use

• $25 million for Fish and Wildlife

• $55 million for historic preservation

• $20 million for working capital fund

• $165 million for Forest Service capital improvement

• $90 million for State and Private Wildlife Fire Management

• $1 billion for Head Start/Early Start

• $5.8 billion for Health Prevention Activity

• $2 billion for Health Information Technology Grants

• $600 million for Title I (No Child Left Behind)

• $16 billion for school construction

• $3.5 billion for higher education construction

• $1.25 billion for project based rental

• $2.25 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization

• $1.2 billion for retrofitting Project 8 housing

• $40 billion for state fiscal stabilization (includes $7.5 billion of state incentive grants)

[MB_722]

I'd like to see more given to NASA actually.

[Straw Man]

I'd like to see more given to NASA actually.

me too

[Straw Man]

Paul Krugman with Joe Scarborough explaining why it's crucial for the govt to spend $$$'s

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/#29051511

[tu_holmes]

me too

Not me... I'm kind of tired of giving money to the space program.

They don't really do jack.

[Straw Man]

Not me... I'm kind of tired of giving money to the space program.

They don't really do jack.

space is the unlimited future of science (and probably defence too)

I'm all for more $$$

[Soul Crusher]

Government spending is not socialism and no one is suggesting a fundamental change in the nature of country. 

Read the cover of Newsweek. 

This plan is a disaster and Obama is liar.  The people who predicted this disaster, Roubini, Schiff, et al, all say Obama's plan is going to lead to an even worse disaster.

Another thing, there are many things I personally would like to buy, but I cant afford it so I dont buy them. 

Why do you think we as the taxpayers should be doing anything different?

[Straw Man]

Read the cover of Newsweek. 

This plan is a disaster and Obama is liar.  The people who predicted this disaster, Roubini, Schiff, et al, all say Obama's plan is going to lead to an even worse disaster.

Another thing, there are many things I personally would like to buy, but I cant afford it so I dont buy them. 

Why do you think we as the taxpayers should be doing anything different?

I'll read the cover of newsweek if you'll watch this link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/#29051511 (if it doesn't start hit the refresh button)

I think I'll defer to the opinion of the guy who won the nobel prize in economics rather than a bunch of talking heads from MSNBC