A question for those who understand insider politics better than I: Given the fact that Republicans have been pretty clear that they won't vote for the stimulus, is there really any reason not to undo all of the crappy compromises that were made? I just don't see a filibuster happening in the Senate if we put the state's access to family planning money back into the bill. But maybe I'm too optimistic.
Randy
· 10 months ago
I'd say let them filib[l]uster! Obama goes on TV every morning to name names and point out the obstructionism. But I'm afraid Reid & Co wouldn't have a clue how to go about stopping the thing -- and might even [inadvertently!?] end up a part of it....
mikeyDe
· 10 months ago
The Democrats would pander to the Republicans even if they had a 99 to 1 advantage in the Senate. While a Republican president who won with less than 50% of the popular vote ran roughshod over the Democrats touting a clear mandate.
RitornaVincitor
· 10 months ago
OK, so the GOP which created the debt is now going to be "responsible" and pretend to be the guardians against debt. No surprise there. The usual BS. But now let's see how many of them cross the aisle and work with us. This should tell us pretty quickly where we're going.
sittenpretty
· 10 months ago
frankly i think this is good news,in 20010,keep playing the video of them screwing John Q.Public
AdrianBrowne
· 10 months ago
I agree.
caphillprof
· 10 months ago
I hope you meant 2010
Atlliberal
· 10 months ago
Too bad Boener wasn't so worried about our children's debt while he was helping Bush double our national debt while sumultaneously destroying the economy over the last 8 years. We wouldn't need a huge stimulus bill if he had. I expect Republicans to oppose Obama, but I think he did the right thing. He reached out his hand, and they responded with a clenched fist, so he should now crush them and do what he knows is right for the country.
AdrianBrowne
· 10 months ago
The Republicans are admitting that all they have is "no."
sittenpretty
· 10 months ago
i had another,idea,to create jobs,department of home healthcare to check on seniors like the poor soul who FROZE to death in Michigan,10,000 new jobs to workers to keep track of the aged,we could pay nominal wages,but it is sorely needed
AdrianBrowne
· 10 months ago
They have a good program like that here in NYC and I've seen the value of it firsthand.
sittenpretty
· 10 months ago
and you really only need to be a caring person to apply
KarenMrsLloydRichards
· 10 months ago
Keep an eye on Eric Cantor, the face of the GOP's future.
A male Tracy Flick.
Gridlock
· 10 months ago
*sigh* ok, again for all the slow spineless democrats.
1) Stop with the bipartisan shit. The Rethugs don't care.
2) Control the message: this is the major Dem weakness (besides Harry Reid): The Rethugs will get on tv, radio, and everything else and turn public opinion against Obama like they do with everybody else even though what they say is total crap. The Dems are unable to control the message, because they let the rethugs do it each and every time. THAT HAS TO STOP. Cut them off.
catdance
· 10 months ago
Exactly!
nicho
· 10 months ago
OK, Barry, this "reaching out" didn't work (as most of us said it wouldn't). Now, it's time to take off the gloves and hurt them a little bit.
joanne
· 10 months ago
Put it to a vote, make the Repubs stand up and vote no, then the president can post on the website, e-mail and go on you tube to tell the country and the world that the opposition has no interest in true bipartisanship, but that the president will continue to be inclusive, will listen to all opnions then move on to do what we elected him to do, which is to act on behalf of the people of this country. The Repubs will look like the foolish, obstinate, partisan hacks they are...
coolcatdaddy
· 10 months ago
Frankly, I think things like this don't help - the link is to a New York Times article where Obama was working the Senate offices canvassing for votes.
It makes him seem as if he's still just another Senator and not the President who won the election and has a mandate for Change. This kind of stuff is what Democratic Senators are for.
pdxprobert
· 10 months ago
Do you think the actions you noted by Obama are because he doesnt care much for the current leadership in the Senate? I know Im not impressed... look how easy it was to get rid of Trent Lott... and then they replaced him with a yes man, Frist.. wasnt he a relative newcomer to the Senate? so tenure must not be a requirement...
Outspoken1
· 10 months ago
Could you tell us a little more about the program?
bbock
· 10 months ago
President Obama and the Democrats in Congress should strip out all the things they added to appease the GOP, add back in the infrastructure things like transportation and pass the damn thing on a partisan vote. It would help more than the current package and a hell of a lot more than the package the GOP would like. They screwed up the economy. Why are we even listening to them?!
Gorgonzola
· 10 months ago
Rush Lamboo is the de facto chief spokesman for the GOP and he says he wants Obama to fail.
munjoy fan
· 10 months ago
Is there some place on the web we can find a summary of the legislation (especially the pork) and also a roster of how our reps vote? I am very concerned about how Susan Collins will vote on this, and it will be a test of her new responsibility as a member of the Appropriations Committee.
I'd also like to know if there is a place on the web where we can find out about bonuses at Wall Street "banks" and investment houses. I am paying those SOBs more than 1.5 % every year in management fees for my accounts, and I don't want it to be used buying parchment wastebaskets or plane made in France.
How can we, as consumers, exert control over these firms which have such a lock on our business and our retirements? Virtually every worker in the country who is counting on Social Security, State Retirement systems, and private investments is under their control. It is in no way a free market.
Maureen Dowd has her Irish up today (you go, girl), and it is catching.
Al Ire
· 10 months ago
The Republicans said "NO" even before Obama visited them yesterday.
On the Olbermann show it was said that this was the position of the Republican leadership prior to the visit. I'm unsure who was saying this.
A dialogue take two, doesn't it?
HereinDC
· 10 months ago
"Republicans don't want better policy." They just want to be bitter. :)
Soundboy_jeff_meanie
· 10 months ago
"All it does is burden our kids and their kids with more debt," ---
and republicans have been soooooooo worried about burdening kids with debt during the last 8 years...
let's see... trillion dollar war... bush tax breaks....
Randy
· 10 months ago
Yeah! But's it's not "debt" if the gov't borrows money and gives it to the banks, Goldman Sachs, or Halliburton. It's only "debt" when they borrow money and pass it along to those who need it....
tlsintx
· 10 months ago
can i just say...John Boehner is a fucking idiot.
sittenpretty
· 10 months ago
JUST DAYYYYYYYYUM
Grand Rapids man found dead in cold is eighth in Michigan this month by Theresa D. McClellan | The Grand Rapids Press Wednesday January 28, 2009, 5:18 AM
Dave of the Jungle
· 10 months ago
Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot.
tbhull
· 10 months ago
His diet or gastric by-pass has worn off. the fat basrtard is starting to balloon again and his cow heart is surely most strained. I would love to see him actually explode.
Screw kissing their ass. Obama was elected not because people thought he would kiss and cow tow to the repubs. Obama was elected because George Bush and his policies were embarrassing failures. Enough with the nice guy attempt, now is the time to do the people's work and cram this bill down the repubs throat like that vile library scene from A Cook the Thief his Wife and her Lover.
Patriot
· 10 months ago
Forgot one thing didn't you! Obama wasn't elected;he was selected with the help of Acorn....who,by the way, is being repaid in the new bill for all of their help.
tbhull
· 10 months ago
Maybe you should give shing shoes a chance, it is better than being a sycophant bureaucrat at the NSA or DOJ with no ass to noew kiss, that time has left behind and that could subject to indictment. Your day is over, boy.
Doctor Biobrain
· 10 months ago
I honestly can't imagine that this wasn't part of Obama's plan all along. I mean, everyone knew we'd be getting a stimulus bill and GOP obstructionism is legendary, outside the Washington Beltway, anyway. So the only real question is: Why did Republicans fall for it? Why allow Obama to fulfill his campaign promise of reaching out to Republicans in a way that makes him look like a hero and them look like the zeroes?
And the problem is that they're such knee-jerk reactionaries because they don't know what else to do. Even when they're in the majority, all they can think about is how to stop Democrats. And now that they're in a position that denies them the ability to stop Democrats, they're STILL doing it. And so Obama's going to get his stimulus bill over their irrelevant bodies, while denying them any real complaint of being left out and have no one to blame but themselves. Even David Broder will have trouble spinning this as anything but Republican partisanship. And again, this was as predictable as the sunrise, yet they are so boxed in that they can't even see the box.
And the main outcome here is that they just gave every reason for why Obama won't need to reach out to Republicans anymore, and we still haven't gotten through the first full week of his presidency. What a bunch of bozos!
christian h.
· 10 months ago
I can't believe anyone thinks this marks a success... for Obama? It's not the Republicans who behave like "little children". They are, in fact, perfectly rational .They have already managed to make the bill much worse than it might otherwise have been (although it's possible the Democrats are glad about the cover). They might get more changes for the worse. And after they've ruined the bill, which is too small anyway and won't do the job, they will get to vote against it and say "I told you so" two years from now. What's not to like, for them?
Eyeball_Kid
· 10 months ago
It's not about the common US citizen. It's about them. It's about power. That's all that their concerned about. It's who gets to pass which bill that will benefit which CEO, which corporate conglomerate. The GOP has no interest in the common good. They have an interest in the Corporate Good. They should really change their name to the Corporation Party, because that's what they are.
The Republicans are screaming for bipartisanship, yowling that Obama's overture was nice but insufficient, and yammering that the Congressional Dems mus include them.
They must first make a gesture to demonstrate their (R) willingness to change the tone. They need to reject and replace those in leadership positions who led the charge against inclusion of Democratic input in previous Congresses. Inviting to the table those who've shown, not interest in cooperation, but rather active animus toward those with whom they disagree, does not bode well for positive outcomes.
Until the Boehners, Cornyns, Vitters, et. al. are ejected from blocking positions, no progress can be made. The problems of this nation will be solved by adults. The infantile, puerile, and petulant have no place at the table, let alone a claim on leadership.
Prove you're serious by dumping Boehner.
Roddy McCorley
· 10 months ago
"Bipartisanship" requires two parties. We don't have that. The Republicans are not a political party anymore. They are at best a pathology, and at worst an outright criminal conspiracy.
Indigo
· 10 months ago
Here's how I see it:
the longer the Republicans stay on their retro-destruct message, the worse the existing situation becomes. Our task, if we accept it, is to do whatever it takes to make the linkage clear to everyone.
Once the Palinistas get the message, we win!
Older_Wiser
· 10 months ago
Obama is set to have FDIC set up "bad bank" to absorb crappy financial assets; sends financial stocks upward.
And Wells Fargo, if it's not lying, seems to be weathering what others can't seem to avoid:
Jan. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Wells Fargo & Co., the second- biggest U.S. home lender, reported its first quarterly loss since 2001 after acquiring Wachovia Corp. The stock rose 19 percent in New York trading after the bank maintained its dividend and said it doesn’t need more federal aid. (More at Bloomberg.com)
katiec
· 10 months ago
Wonder if any republican ever reads blogs related to different articles? It is so apparent the American people do not support their hypocrisy, actions and showboating but they continue on obviously oblivious, or is it that they don't care, to what we want. They continue to self destruct and pay back will be when they are "fired" in upcoming elections.
MNUSA
· 10 months ago
What DO the Repubs stand for? Other than lower taxes, what is their platform? It appears to me that they need to develop one, that appeals more to CEOs, the religious right and racist old white people, if they are ever going to gain ground. Otherwise, they should just get out of Obama's way and let him lead this country. I'm a middle-aged white person and remember the days when the Repubs actually had some decent ideas. Eisenhower, after all, had the vision to build the interstate highway system. Can you imagine any Repub doing that in this day and age? The current batch of Repubs wouldn't endorse Goldwater - he'd be too liberal. In fact, I wonder how their idol, Reagan, would fare - he might be suspect, too.
brb915
· 10 months ago
...........what do you expect with folks voting no on Cabinet posts like Vitter the Sh*tter and his ilk........................their platform right now is to vote no for no's sake. I say pull the lever and let the bowl start swirling..................
Jenna's Bush
· 10 months ago
What DO the Repubs stand for?
Hatin' on gays.
jvill
· 10 months ago
If you play the song, "Barack the Magic Negro" backwards, I think the secret is in there...
Aaron
· 10 months ago
So why doesn't Obama grab the bull by the horns: "The Republicans complained about the stimulus package, so we made significant changes they said were necessary, offering hundreds of millions in tax cuts economists doubt will actually help the economy. The Republicans still complained, so we removed from the bill the provisions they found objectionable. The Republicans still complained, so I met with them and asked, 'What do you need from this stimulus bill?' Their reply amounted to, 'We need it to provide us with a tool to attack your administration, even if the consequence is that we drag down the economy. We don't actually have any plans or counter-proposals. But that doesn't matter because even if we did, and even if you let us write the entire bill, odds are we still wouldn't vote for it.'"
Eyeball_Kid
· 10 months ago
Obama is old enough to remember what happened to Clinton in his first years. We'll see what he learned, and my guess is that he's got the bull by the horns already. He's just setting the bull up right now.
kevinbgoode
· 10 months ago
Republicans cannot stand the notion of spending American tax money on Americans in America.
They had no problem shafting the next generation with a huge debt to finance their empire building fantasies and sending hundreds of billions of dollars overseas, but when it comes to doing something for America, they always snub their nose.
whomod
· 10 months ago
Something tells me these Republicans are falling right into an Obama trap. Right now Obama is being all gracious and bipartisan but that's only because he knows EXACTLY what to expect from these pigs. A grunt.
Something tells me if they do what we expect them to do and that is obstruct, he's going to call them out to the carpet and let every American know who is responsible for NOTHING getting done.
Remember, Obama is no Harry Reid.
Mark in Florida
· 10 months ago
Rest assured, Obama is twelve chess moves ahead of these morons. He knows exactly what he is doing.
Remember, this time we elected the smart guy.....instead of a chimp from texas that chokes on pretzels and falls off of segues.
Jophus
· 10 months ago
That is nearly IDENTICAL to my previous posts! While it sounds like I'm angry, I'm actually happy. Because this means other people realize this as well, thus the word is spreading that we all need to change our entire mindset when they approach judging the actions of President Obama (OMFG that is the first time I've typed that, ever!)
If you thought the Republicans are sneaky, consider having actual 3 digit IQs and Ivy League degrees with a cross-branch controlling majority.
We own this ship now, and we just got every single republican walking proud yesterday.....................................................right off the plank.
While I'm upset about infrastructure, specifically green infrastructure, my guess is there is going to be a surprise coming when Obama gets this bill (veto?), or there are plans in the pipeline to address the other issues individually.
Would he veto it? He put in what the Republicans wanted & they unanimously voted against it. This behavior is blatant disrespect; Remember he went TO THEIR HOUSE, with open arms, considered their arguments, and included their suggestions. If I were him, and saw how they manipulated my faith & goodwill by changing it to what I didn't want to end up voting against it, I would veto it and send it back to be revised with NO corporate tax breaks. Since it was goodwill and the Republicans are irrelevant, I would retaliate with requirements like corporations to retain their employee levels and give them a tax hike if they don't. I'd also include an a tiered INCENTIVE tax decrease if they take on more employees (in the US). I don't understand why the language didn't read that in the first place regarding the breaks. That way the money went thru the corps to the people v. to the corps. If it is given in the spirit to produce jobs, fucking word it that way.
If you are skeptical about Obama's proverbial balls, lets not forget the plethora or arranged photo ops of O and Reps together working on this bill and that he came to them to do it. Do you really think the leader of the Obama for America campaign had no agenda in that plan? These are the people who put a black man no one knew into the Oval Office.
What just happened shows he kept the promise he made about trans-partisanship, and 100% of Republicans (b/c they made the same promise) broke it. We can show videos and photos of them lying and showing they place their party at priority 1. Which inspires the question what priority is the nation's general welfare (especially in a time with millions of homeless and hungry americans) to the "Grand" Old Party?
This is gold for mid-terms as well. This is the argument Republicans established today for their next campaigns: 'GOP didn't care about helping you and me, only the wealthiest 1 percent, the same companies they gave billions of dollars too last session, and played partisan politics at one of the most crucial times in US history. You voted for change, and they practiced business as usual the week after the change you voted for took office.'
If this stimulus actually proves to be an effective treatment by the time midterms come, we can have bumper stickers that say 'GOP voted 100% against America (economy is interchangeable).
Enough of looking that far ahead. They are overwhelmingly irrelevant. We don't need them at all. Despite that, Obama gave them face by bringing the media in, listening to them, and conceding to a degree (when he didn't have to). He gave them a huge opportunity to appear relevant in the media, but they did what they did. They totally spit in his face. Here is what that means to Obama and Dems collectively with the next issue that comes up.
He can say, 'Look I've tried and tried to work with these folks over a number of issues. I took their ideas and implemented them, even though I didn't completely agree. They voted against that bill 100%. It was their indication to us and the American people as to how they are going to behave over the next 4 years.'
'Why would I approach them for discussions on the bill that requires all energy companies to comply with having 40 percent of their production coming from renewable sources by 2011 (that is just an example and coincidentally a dream that instigates nocturnal emissions)? If I did go talk with them and even if I implemented their ideas, they would have ultimately voted like they just did... Against it.'
'I'm not in washington to go to lunches and waste time, I'm here to get things done. Let's not forget we are in a crisis. Based on their past behavior and urgency of the situation, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE FOR ME TO MEET WITH REPUBLICANS.'
My educated guess is that there is something else in the que for infrastructure/new energy, and Obama doesn't want the great renewable energy initiative mentioned in the same breath with the commentary on the controversial stimulus package. Lets remember this is getting negative press from liberals as well as progressives along with the rest. Renewable energy needs to get tremendous support.
*********This my friends is how we need to be thinking imho, while we have a ruling majority, a president who is the best politician in recent history, and a president that showed us over and over he is 10 steps ahead (always).
Though it seems like I am an 'Obama sheeple' I'm cautiously optimistic with complete pragmatism, I read the news and apply the facts they give me in a pragmatic way (sorry for using that word again!), consider the subjects/people involved, and ignore the commentary given by REPORTERS (!). I respectfully suggest that you do too, like Mark and I. Then you'll get what the corporations have taken from you long ago in your news...... A more accurate representation of the current and future situation. Analyzing the situation yourself drastically reduces the spin that may bias your opinion.
Again thanks for posting, it helps reassure me about the citizens of Florida. j/k of course. Sorry I got MAJORLY carried away (I'm going to be late for school today), but it is insanely frustrating to hear what a terrible job O did this week and it coming from the mouths of people I thought were intelligent and progressive.
I never get the responses to posts on this site, which is a major problem for me. If you respond please cut and paste it and send it to me @ JRAdkins@gmail.com
Happy America everybody, and have a good day.
Joseph
Cynicor
· 10 months ago
I'd just like to thank the management of Americablog for embedding THIS particular juxtaposition in my brain:
Thanks. Thanks so much. This was going to be my last week of electroshock too.
Nylund
· 10 months ago
If you are going to get zero Republican votes, why not remove all the bits just put in there to appease the Republicans and just pass the bill you actually want!? Or is this about reconciling it with the Senate version?
Eyeball_Kid
· 10 months ago
Ah, now there's a refreshing suggestion. That's exactly what I've been thinking and writing about since the Republicans voted against the stimulus package.
Mark in Florida
· 10 months ago
I find it more than disingenuous that John BONER is suddenly concerned about physcal policy after the fleecing Americans have taken for the last eight years of rethuglican rule.
Wasn't it Boner's heroes, Cheney and Wolfowitz who said "Deficits don't matter" and "we won't rest until the federal government drowns in a bathtub"....
Mission accomplished hier Boner.
What a TOOL (pardon the pun)
jen
· 10 months ago
That Obama thought it would be any different than this proves that experience does matter.
CDS2
· 10 months ago
Well, this Republican wonders why if this is a Stimulus Bill designed to create jobs, why doesn't 100% of it stimulate the economy and create jobs within the next 12 months? Seems like too much of it will be spent even as far out as 24 months and beyond?
jvill
· 10 months ago
Because, as a business person and entrepreneur, I like to know that spending will occur over the long-haul, so I can plan for it. If you tell me I'm going to get one short burst and then... who knows... I'll staff up only to get as much of that pie as possible, hiring as many low-paid temp workers as possible, and then ditch them all at the first signs of trouble.
Not to mention, not all grand development plans come together in 12 months, but that's pretty obvious.
Rab
· 10 months ago
Read up on Paul Krugman and he explains it in simple terms. This recession will last awhile and that spending 2 years from now will be welcome.
dmacgregor
· 10 months ago
Because Republicans pressured that 33% of the package go for tax breaks, counter to economists consensus that such breaks do little to stimulate the economy.
Patriot
· 10 months ago
People are and were so consumed with the hatred of George Bush; that they forget that the Dems have been in control for the past two years. Remember, we voted out the Republicans; because the Democrats promised to make life easier for us and to straighten up Washington. They really straightened up; didn't they and now with the most une-experienced person, ever, in the White House it should not take them too long to ruin this country. Socialism @ its best.
Eyeball_Kid
· 10 months ago
In the Land of Stupid, voters don't remember that Republicans in the Bush era didn't care about the "burden to our kids" when they tried to dismantle Social Security, when they ran up hundreds of billions in the deficit, when they voted for mass murder for the benefit of the defense industry's billions in profits. Now, when they aren't in control of running up stratospheric debt for good reasons or bad, they're appalled at deficit spending. What? And not a whisper from them about why they changed their minds? No. Not a whisper, because doing so would take them, and us, out of the Land of Stupid. We'd actually hear Republicans make naked fools of themselves by telling the truth.
judybrowni
· 10 months ago
Oh, I can beat that.
I read a wingnut complaint that our current economic woes are the fault of the Democrats -- because the stock market crash happened while the Democrats had a slim margin in Congress.
Three year olds have a longer memory, attention span and ability to apply logic.
All Comments
But I'm afraid Reid & Co wouldn't have a clue how to go about stopping the thing -- and might even [inadvertently!?] end up a part of it....
I expect Republicans to oppose Obama, but I think he did the right thing. He reached out his hand, and they responded with a clenched fist, so he should now crush them and do what he knows is right for the country.
A male Tracy Flick.
1) Stop with the bipartisan shit. The Rethugs don't care.
2) Control the message: this is the major Dem weakness (besides Harry Reid): The Rethugs will get on tv, radio, and everything else and turn public opinion against Obama like they do with everybody else even though what they say is total crap. The Dems are unable to control the message, because they let the rethugs do it each and every time. THAT HAS TO STOP. Cut them off.
It makes him seem as if he's still just another Senator and not the President who won the election and has a mandate for Change. This kind of stuff is what Democratic Senators are for.
I am very concerned about how Susan Collins will vote on this, and it will be a test of her new responsibility as a member of the Appropriations Committee.
I'd also like to know if there is a place on the web where we can find out about bonuses at Wall Street "banks" and investment houses. I am paying those SOBs more than 1.5 % every year in management fees for my accounts, and I don't want it to be used buying parchment wastebaskets or plane made in France.
How can we, as consumers, exert control over these firms which have such a lock on our business and our retirements? Virtually every worker in the country who is counting on Social Security, State Retirement systems, and private investments is under their control. It is in no way a free market.
Maureen Dowd has her Irish up today (you go, girl), and it is catching.
On the Olbermann show it was said that this was the position of the Republican leadership prior to the visit. I'm unsure who was saying this.
A dialogue take two, doesn't it?
They just want to be bitter.
:)
---
and republicans have been soooooooo worried about burdening kids with debt during the last 8 years...
let's see... trillion dollar war... bush tax breaks....
Grand Rapids man found dead in cold is eighth in Michigan this month
by Theresa D. McClellan | The Grand Rapids Press
Wednesday January 28, 2009, 5:18 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlfcF1I5e_g
And the problem is that they're such knee-jerk reactionaries because they don't know what else to do. Even when they're in the majority, all they can think about is how to stop Democrats. And now that they're in a position that denies them the ability to stop Democrats, they're STILL doing it. And so Obama's going to get his stimulus bill over their irrelevant bodies, while denying them any real complaint of being left out and have no one to blame but themselves. Even David Broder will have trouble spinning this as anything but Republican partisanship. And again, this was as predictable as the sunrise, yet they are so boxed in that they can't even see the box.
And the main outcome here is that they just gave every reason for why Obama won't need to reach out to Republicans anymore, and we still haven't gotten through the first full week of his presidency. What a bunch of bozos!
http://www.bagnewsnotes.com/2009/01/obama-going...
They must first make a gesture to demonstrate their (R) willingness to change the tone. They need to reject and replace those in leadership positions who led the charge against inclusion of Democratic input in previous Congresses. Inviting to the table those who've shown, not interest in cooperation, but rather active animus toward those with whom they disagree, does not bode well for positive outcomes.
Until the Boehners, Cornyns, Vitters, et. al. are ejected from blocking positions, no progress can be made. The problems of this nation will be solved by adults. The infantile, puerile, and petulant have no place at the table, let alone a claim on leadership.
Prove you're serious by dumping Boehner.
the longer the Republicans stay on their retro-destruct message, the worse the existing situation becomes. Our task, if we accept it, is to do whatever it takes to make the linkage clear to everyone.
Once the Palinistas get the message, we win!
And Wells Fargo, if it's not lying, seems to be weathering what others can't seem to avoid:
Jan. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Wells Fargo & Co., the second- biggest U.S. home lender, reported its first quarterly loss since 2001 after acquiring Wachovia Corp. The stock rose 19 percent in New York trading after the bank maintained its dividend and said it doesn’t need more federal aid. (More at Bloomberg.com)
They continue to self destruct and pay back will be when they are "fired" in upcoming elections.
Hatin' on gays.
They had no problem shafting the next generation with a huge debt to finance their empire building fantasies and sending hundreds of billions of dollars overseas, but when it comes to doing something for America, they always snub their nose.
Right now Obama is being all gracious and bipartisan but that's only because he knows EXACTLY what to expect from these pigs. A grunt.
Something tells me if they do what we expect them to do and that is obstruct, he's going to call them out to the carpet and let every American know who is responsible for NOTHING getting done.
Remember, Obama is no Harry Reid.
Remember, this time we elected the smart guy.....instead of a chimp from texas that chokes on pretzels and falls off of segues.
If you thought the Republicans are sneaky, consider having actual 3 digit IQs and Ivy League degrees with a cross-branch controlling majority.
We own this ship now, and we just got every single republican walking proud yesterday.....................................................right off the plank.
While I'm upset about infrastructure, specifically green infrastructure, my guess is there is going to be a surprise coming when Obama gets this bill (veto?), or there are plans in the pipeline to address the other issues individually.
Would he veto it? He put in what the Republicans wanted & they unanimously voted against it. This behavior is blatant disrespect; Remember he went TO THEIR HOUSE, with open arms, considered their arguments, and included their suggestions. If I were him, and saw how they manipulated my faith & goodwill by changing it to what I didn't want to end up voting against it, I would veto it and send it back to be revised with NO corporate tax breaks. Since it was goodwill and the Republicans are irrelevant, I would retaliate with requirements like corporations to retain their employee levels and give them a tax hike if they don't. I'd also include an a tiered INCENTIVE tax decrease if they take on more employees (in the US). I don't understand why the language didn't read that in the first place regarding the breaks. That way the money went thru the corps to the people v. to the corps. If it is given in the spirit to produce jobs, fucking word it that way.
If you are skeptical about Obama's proverbial balls, lets not forget the plethora or arranged photo ops of O and Reps together working on this bill and that he came to them to do it. Do you really think the leader of the Obama for America campaign had no agenda in that plan? These are the people who put a black man no one knew into the Oval Office.
What just happened shows he kept the promise he made about trans-partisanship, and 100% of Republicans (b/c they made the same promise) broke it. We can show videos and photos of them lying and showing they place their party at priority 1. Which inspires the question what priority is the nation's general welfare (especially in a time with millions of homeless and hungry americans) to the "Grand" Old Party?
This is gold for mid-terms as well. This is the argument Republicans established today for their next campaigns: 'GOP didn't care about helping you and me, only the wealthiest 1 percent, the same companies they gave billions of dollars too last session, and played partisan politics at one of the most crucial times in US history. You voted for change, and they practiced business as usual the week after the change you voted for took office.'
If this stimulus actually proves to be an effective treatment by the time midterms come, we can have bumper stickers that say 'GOP voted 100% against America (economy is interchangeable).
Enough of looking that far ahead. They are overwhelmingly irrelevant. We don't need them at all. Despite that, Obama gave them face by bringing the media in, listening to them, and conceding to a degree (when he didn't have to). He gave them a huge opportunity to appear relevant in the media, but they did what they did. They totally spit in his face. Here is what that means to Obama and Dems collectively with the next issue that comes up.
He can say, 'Look I've tried and tried to work with these folks over a number of issues. I took their ideas and implemented them, even though I didn't completely agree. They voted against that bill 100%. It was their indication to us and the American people as to how they are going to behave over the next 4 years.'
'Why would I approach them for discussions on the bill that requires all energy companies to comply with having 40 percent of their production coming from renewable sources by 2011 (that is just an example and coincidentally a dream that instigates nocturnal emissions)? If I did go talk with them and even if I implemented their ideas, they would have ultimately voted like they just did... Against it.'
'I'm not in washington to go to lunches and waste time, I'm here to get things done. Let's not forget we are in a crisis. Based on their past behavior and urgency of the situation, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE FOR ME TO MEET WITH REPUBLICANS.'
My educated guess is that there is something else in the que for infrastructure/new energy, and Obama doesn't want the great renewable energy initiative mentioned in the same breath with the commentary on the controversial stimulus package. Lets remember this is getting negative press from liberals as well as progressives along with the rest. Renewable energy needs to get tremendous support.
*********This my friends is how we need to be thinking imho, while we have a ruling majority, a president who is the best politician in recent history, and a president that showed us over and over he is 10 steps ahead (always).
Though it seems like I am an 'Obama sheeple' I'm cautiously optimistic with complete pragmatism, I read the news and apply the facts they give me in a pragmatic way (sorry for using that word again!), consider the subjects/people involved, and ignore the commentary given by REPORTERS (!). I respectfully suggest that you do too, like Mark and I. Then you'll get what the corporations have taken from you long ago in your news...... A more accurate representation of the current and future situation. Analyzing the situation yourself drastically reduces the spin that may bias your opinion.
Again thanks for posting, it helps reassure me about the citizens of Florida. j/k of course. Sorry I got MAJORLY carried away (I'm going to be late for school today), but it is insanely frustrating to hear what a terrible job O did this week and it coming from the mouths of people I thought were intelligent and progressive.
I never get the responses to posts on this site, which is a major problem for me. If you respond please cut and paste it and send it to me @ JRAdkins@gmail.com
Happy America everybody, and have a good day.
Joseph
http://trupin.smugmug.com/photos/463432664_R8Yf...
Thanks. Thanks so much. This was going to be my last week of electroshock too.
Wasn't it Boner's heroes, Cheney and Wolfowitz who said "Deficits don't matter" and "we won't rest until the federal government drowns in a bathtub"....
Mission accomplished hier Boner.
What a TOOL (pardon the pun)
Not to mention, not all grand development plans come together in 12 months, but that's pretty obvious.
I read a wingnut complaint that our current economic woes are the fault of the Democrats -- because the stock market crash happened while the Democrats had a slim margin in Congress.
Three year olds have a longer memory, attention span and ability to apply logic.