598,000. That's the number of Americans who lost their jobs in January 2009. 598,000. That is the highest number since I was Two Years Old (1974). Let's say the average salary for each of those jobs was $20,000. If they don't find a job in a year, $11,960,000,000.00 will not be spent (in the "US" economy) over that year and that's just the people who lost jobs in January. The economy is Scary and getting Worse. It's going to take more than former secretary to failure 43, and former goldman sachs ceo, paulson's "bank bailout", which gave out $254 billion in capital purchases (with virtually no oversight) for bank assets worth about $176 billion. Why was no one concerned about the conflict of interest with a Former CEO giving his old bank a "$2.5 Billion subsidy"? It's going to take more than the second half of the $700 Billion bush bank bailout (expect more on the Obama plan for that later). It's going to take more than the $800+ Billion dollar Stimulus Bill that's meant for US (haves And Have Nots). Of course, anti-stimulus republicans are pushing for even more tax cuts in the bill, because their tax cut and spend policies have worked so well for Us so far. As Our President said "We are not going to get relief by turning back to the very same policies that for the last eight years doubled the national debt and threw our economy into a tailspin," The obstructicans have been stalling/trying to stay relevant/"standing their ground" because of 2% of the spending in a $800+ BILLION "stimulus" bill. Would they bicker and pick all the way to depression? There's part of me that thinks to change Our society and its view of money, it would take a crisis of this predicted proportion, but the suffering may be too much for me to condone. That's not to say that is why the republicans "hope it fails". We Have already given hundreds of billions to war, to banks, and to tax cuts for the rich. Why shouldn't We the People (poor included) get some help?
Barack Obama has only been President for a little over two weeks. He's already got former vice president, mr. potter, pausing from "moving boxes" to tell us that if and when we're attacked by "nuclear or biological weapons" (remember that phrase?), it will be Obama's fault. We will never forget what happened 8 months, and several warnings, into his administration, but that was President Clinton's fault, right? Not to mention the hate and anger bushco. filled hearts and minds with all over the globe. I know, who cares what the "evil doer" former vice dick has to say. Probably the same wing nuts that care what treasonous drug addict limbag has to say or hatetity or o'lielly or glen bark. The republican party has become "regional" and reasonless. They're so splintered, it took six votes to elect a new "leader". He's their first African American "leader". Isn't that a funny coincidence? But seriously, mr. potter brought back that feeling of fear, as does, the President of the United States' call on Americans and their representatives to act now on the economic stimulus or there will be "a catastrophe".
The republicans are playing politics while Our economy is At The Cliff. The Old gOp tax cuts or death policy hasn't worked for the Country since it was called "reaganomics". Reinvestment in infrastructure and education, along with investment in up and coming industry, like the Clinton administration's investment in the internet and Pell Grants, provide the foundation for extended economic growth. Forward, long term thinking and planning isn't something recent administrations have considered and that is one of the reasons we find ourselves in the predicament we're in today, and it looks like it's going to get worse before it'll get better.
President Obama did sign his first law, the Lilly Ledbetter Law. It states that women doing equal work should get equal pay. I still can't believe that 1. In 2009 we still need a law like this and 2. It took until 2009 to get it. Barack also autographed a law giving health care to millions of children by expanding SCHIP. My favorite Presidential move so far was limiting ceo pay at companies that receive "bail out" money from US taxpayers. Some say it isn't strict enough. Some say its just a political stunt. I say it sends a great message from the White House. $500,000.00 a year should be plenty, especially when so many Americans are losing their jobs and having trouble staying sheltered and fed.
Obama nominated not one, not two, but three people who had "trouble" paying their taxes (Come On daschle?!??!), and one whose husband's business had tax problems. But President Obama's response to "the embarrasment" and "mistakes made" was honest and straight forward. He "screwed up" and owned up to it, as if he was an Adult in the White House who understands what taking responsibility actually means. Another thing to come out of the "back taxes" issue is the fact that government officials are no longer above the law to republicans. This is a real change of heart from the past eight years.
Campaigner Barack Obama was never one to react immediately. He was patient. He thought before he acted or spoke. A patience that, at times, drove some of us crazy. But more times than not he was working several moves ahead. President Obama, with Democratic control of the House and Senate greater than that of the republicans under bush, held out his open hand. The republicans did not unclinch their fist. One red senator went as far as to advise the republicans to learn from the taliban and form an "insurgency" to "disrupt and change" President Obama. In recent days, President Barack Obama has come out much stronger for his plan and against his critics. He's taking his push to the people this week, but it's the Congress that will bend and twist the legislation into something that he hopefully won't have to hold his nose while signing, and We won't have to hold Our noses while swallowing.
"In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems; that we can meet our enormous tests with half-steps and piecemeal measures; that we can ignore fundamental challenges such as energy independence and the high cost of health care and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.
"I am the eternal optimist. I think that over time people respond to civility and rational argument."
Barack Obama at his First Press Conference as President. Not that it's fair to compare, but bush gave his first "presser" after 9 months in office.
Barack Obama has only been President for a little over two weeks. He's already got former vice president, mr. potter, pausing from "moving boxes" to tell us that if and when we're attacked by "nuclear or biological weapons" (remember that phrase?), it will be Obama's fault. We will never forget what happened 8 months, and several warnings, into his administration, but that was President Clinton's fault, right? Not to mention the hate and anger bushco. filled hearts and minds with all over the globe. I know, who cares what the "evil doer" former vice dick has to say. Probably the same wing nuts that care what treasonous drug addict limbag has to say or hatetity or o'lielly or glen bark. The republican party has become "regional" and reasonless. They're so splintered, it took six votes to elect a new "leader". He's their first African American "leader". Isn't that a funny coincidence? But seriously, mr. potter brought back that feeling of fear, as does, the President of the United States' call on Americans and their representatives to act now on the economic stimulus or there will be "a catastrophe".
The republicans are playing politics while Our economy is At The Cliff. The Old gOp tax cuts or death policy hasn't worked for the Country since it was called "reaganomics". Reinvestment in infrastructure and education, along with investment in up and coming industry, like the Clinton administration's investment in the internet and Pell Grants, provide the foundation for extended economic growth. Forward, long term thinking and planning isn't something recent administrations have considered and that is one of the reasons we find ourselves in the predicament we're in today, and it looks like it's going to get worse before it'll get better.
President Obama did sign his first law, the Lilly Ledbetter Law. It states that women doing equal work should get equal pay. I still can't believe that 1. In 2009 we still need a law like this and 2. It took until 2009 to get it. Barack also autographed a law giving health care to millions of children by expanding SCHIP. My favorite Presidential move so far was limiting ceo pay at companies that receive "bail out" money from US taxpayers. Some say it isn't strict enough. Some say its just a political stunt. I say it sends a great message from the White House. $500,000.00 a year should be plenty, especially when so many Americans are losing their jobs and having trouble staying sheltered and fed.
Obama nominated not one, not two, but three people who had "trouble" paying their taxes (Come On daschle?!??!), and one whose husband's business had tax problems. But President Obama's response to "the embarrasment" and "mistakes made" was honest and straight forward. He "screwed up" and owned up to it, as if he was an Adult in the White House who understands what taking responsibility actually means. Another thing to come out of the "back taxes" issue is the fact that government officials are no longer above the law to republicans. This is a real change of heart from the past eight years.
Campaigner Barack Obama was never one to react immediately. He was patient. He thought before he acted or spoke. A patience that, at times, drove some of us crazy. But more times than not he was working several moves ahead. President Obama, with Democratic control of the House and Senate greater than that of the republicans under bush, held out his open hand. The republicans did not unclinch their fist. One red senator went as far as to advise the republicans to learn from the taliban and form an "insurgency" to "disrupt and change" President Obama. In recent days, President Barack Obama has come out much stronger for his plan and against his critics. He's taking his push to the people this week, but it's the Congress that will bend and twist the legislation into something that he hopefully won't have to hold his nose while signing, and We won't have to hold Our noses while swallowing.
"In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems; that we can meet our enormous tests with half-steps and piecemeal measures; that we can ignore fundamental challenges such as energy independence and the high cost of health care and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.
I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change. They know that we have tried it those ways for too long. And because we have, our health-care costs still rise faster than inflation. Our dependence on foreign oil still threatens our economy and our security. Our children still study in schools that put them at a disadvantage. We've seen the tragic consequences when our bridges crumble and our levees fail."
-From the President of the United States of America's Op-Ed to with Washington Post"I am the eternal optimist. I think that over time people respond to civility and rational argument."
Barack Obama at his First Press Conference as President. Not that it's fair to compare, but bush gave his first "presser" after 9 months in office.
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