Obama rallies Democrats on stimulus
President Obama praised House Democrats tonight for passing their version of his economic recovery plan, saying they
"acted with a discipline" that matches the gravity of the crisis.
"You know what's at stake," he told them, saying when they go home to their districts they see all the struggling families and shuttered businesses. The Democrats are having their three-day annual retreat at the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va. -- and spending $100,000 on the event, according to the Associated Press.
Obama said the representative have "my appreciation and admiration" and more importantly the thanks of the American people.
Republicans and other critics, however, have something less than admiration for the $819 billion plan that passed without a single GOP vote last week. They say it is loaded up with pork-barrel projects that will do little to jolt the economy.
Obama, however, said Republicans are peddling the same failed policies that voters rejected and that helped put the country into recession.
To complaints that the bill is being pushed too swiftly, Obama said, "we're moving quickly not because we want to jam something down people's throats," but because it's necessary to prevent millions more lost jobs.
To worries that the plan will increase the federal deficit, the new president said he found it when he showed up on the job.
To those who say there aren't enough tax cuts, he said it is well balanced between tax relief and new spending.
And to GOP criticism that the stimulus had turned into a spending plan, he replied, "That's the point. Seriously, that's the point."
His full prepared remarks are below:
It’s great to be here with so many friends. I’m glad to see the House Democratic Caucus is getting by just fine without my Chief of Staff. I want to thank John Larson for inviting me here tonight. This is John’s first conference as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, so we’re both new at this.
I want to acknowledge the great Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who has proven to be an extraordinary leader for the American people. I want to thank Nancy, Steny Hoyer, Jim Clyburn and the entire caucus for your hard work in passing an economic recovery plan that is so desperately needed for our country.
You acted with a discipline that matches the urgency and gravity of the crisis we face. Because you know what’s at stake. Every weekend you go home to your districts and you see factories that are closing and small businesses shutting their doors. You hear from families losing their homes; students that can’t pay tuition; seniors who worry about whether they can retire with dignity, or see their kids and grandkids lead the better life that must be America’s promise.
So you went to work, and you did your job. For that, you have my appreciation and admiration. As we meet here tonight, we know there is more work to be done. The Senate is still acting. And after it has its final vote, we will still need to resolve differences between the House and Senate bills. I urge you to complete that work without delay.
Look, I value the constructive criticism and healthy debate that is a foundation of American democracy. I don’t think any of us have cornered the market on wisdom, or that good ideas are the province of any party. The American people know that our challenges are great. They’re not expecting Democratic solutions or Republican solutions – they want American solutions. And I have said that to those who have criticized the plan.
But what I have also said is – don’t come to table with the same tired arguments and worn ideas that helped create this crisis.
We’re not going to get relief by turning back to the very same policies that in eight short years doubled the national debt and threw our economy into a tailspin. We can’t embrace the losing formula that offers more tax cuts as the only answer to every problem we face, while ignoring critical challenges like our addiction to foreign oil, the soaring cost of health care, failing schools and crumbling bridges, roads and levees. I don’t care whether you’re driving a hybrid or an SUV – if you’re headed for a cliff, you have to change direction.
The American people are watching. They did not send us here to get bogged down with the same old delay and distractions. They did not vote for the false theories of the past. They did not vote for the status quo – they sent us here to bring change, and we owe it to them to act. This is the moment for leadership that matches the great test of our time.
If we do not move swiftly to sign the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, an economy that is in crisis will be faced with catastrophe. Millions more Americans will lose their jobs. Home will be lost. Families will go without health care. Our crippling dependence on foreign oil will continue. That is the price of inaction.
This isn’t some abstract debate. Last week, we learned that many of America’s largest corporations are planning to layoff tens off tens of thousands of workers. Today, we learned that last week, the number of new unemployment claims jumped to 626,000. And tomorrow, we’re expecting another dismal jobs report on top of the 2.6 million jobs we lost last year.
For you, those aren’t statistics. They are constituents you know and families that you care about. Now, I believe that legislation of such magnitude deserves the scrutiny that it’s received, and you will get another chance to vote for this bill in the days to come. But I urge all of us to not make the perfect the enemy of the absolutely necessary. The scale and scope of this plan is right.
So just as past generations of Americans have done in trying times, we can and must turn this moment of challenge into one of opportunity. The plan that you’ve passed has at its core a simple idea: let’s put Americans to work doing the work that America needs done.
This plan will save or create over three million jobs – almost all of them in the private sector.
This plan will put people to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges; our dangerously deficient dams and levees.
This plan will put people to work modernizing our health care system, not only saving us billions of dollars, but countless lives.
This plan will put people to work renovating more than 10,000 schools, giving millions of children the chance to learn in 21st century classrooms, libraries, and labs – and to all the scientists in the room today, you know what that means for America’s future.
This plan will provide sensible tax relief for the struggling middle-class, unemployment insurance and continued health care coverage for those who’ve lost their jobs, and it will help prevent our states and local communities from laying off firefighters, teachers, and police.
Finally, this plan will begin to end the tyranny of oil in our time. It doubles our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy like wind, solar, and biofuels in three years. It saves taxpayers billions of dollars by making federal buildings more energy efficient, and it saves the average working family hundreds on their energy bills. After decades of empty rhetoric, that is the down payment that we need on energy independence.
You know, there’s a lot about running for President that is difficult – I don’t miss sleeping in a different bed every night, or not seeing my kids as much as I’d like. But the best thing about being a candidate is that you get to see the country, and you get to know the character of the American people.
Over the last two years, I visited almost all fifty states. I’ve been in so many of your districts. I’ve passed through towns and cities, farms and factories. I know that people are hurting. I’ve heard their stories, and I’ve sensed their deep frustration. But I also know that these struggles have not diminished the strength and decency of the American people.
We hold within our hands the capacity to do great things on their behalf. It starts with this economic recovery plan. And soon, we will take on big issues like addressing the foreclosure issue, passing a budget, tackling our fiscal problems, fixing financial regulation and securing our country. We must not approach these challenges as Democrats – we must overcome them as Americans. That is why we must work in a serious, substantive, and civil way to build bipartisan support for action.
I promise you that my door is open, and my Administration will consult closely with you – the peoples’ representatives – as we take on pressing priorities like energy and health care; education and infrastructure.
Already, you have made a difference. I’m pleased that in my very first days in office, I signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to make sure that all of our daughters have the same opportunity as our sons. I signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program to provide coverage to 11 million children, and to make a down payment on comprehensive health care reform. I know it wasn’t easy – it was a long time coming, and I appreciate your hard work over several years on behalf of America’s children.
Tonight, I am confident that if we continue to work together, we can fulfill the promise of health care that is affordable for all Americans. We can create that new energy economy. We can provide a world-class education for our kids. We can unleash the talent, and innovation of the American people to compete in the 21st century. We can do all of that.
Now, we have a choice to make. Future generations will look back, and they will ask what we did when we confronted this crisis. What will they say?
Will they say that – once again – we failed to make the tough choices that lead to progress? Or will they say that this was the time that we came together, that we found our stake in one another as Americans, and that we voted for bold and aggressive action?
Together, we hold in our hands enormous responsibility. We also have an enormous opportunity.
We can write that next great chapter in American history. If we stay focused on the big picture; if we never forget the people who we are fighting for; if we represent the strength and dignity of the American people, then I know we can answer’s history’s call and renew America’s promise.
Thank you.
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Its about time Obama stood up and said what needed to be said. His kindness, ability to include all and his willingness to hear all sides is admirable, but enough is enough. The American people have spoken and he is correct. We want action not endless debate. We want accountability not finger pointing and we want results not more of the same old same old that got us here in the first place. Thanks for taking a stand. I am proud to be a democrat
The biggest mistake the Democrats made was That they gave the republicans a 3% input into the. Stimulous package without a guarantee for their vote in return.
RepubliCONs created this mess and now they think we should continue to follow their proven failed policies and advice?
No thanks.
We’ve been over that cliff before and once was more than enough. The adults are back in charge so the greedy immature little incompetent republiCONs can just go back to playing in their little sand box and allow Obama to fix their mess.
Why do republiCONs hate America so much?
Way to go ! We are so happy and confident that this president has what it takes to move our country forward. We must support him in his efforts by continually being vigelent and responsive to his policies. For those of us in republican states like ours (AZ), we must keep up the pressure on our representatives.
We would like to see the health care for people who have lost their jobs included in the package (we have heard it was deleted).
Amen to that! I am so proud of him I could burst! He is amazing! This is what leadership looks like and it's been so long since we've seen it, it seems so shocking. Even Fox carried his speech and stumbled on their commentary afterwards. He spoke the truth so forcefully and smacked them all in the head with it. I'm sure they didn't know what happened! Thank God he is on our side!
Thank you. Obama tried with bi-partisanship and the Republicans rebuked him- so they can call out Nancy pelosi and Harry Reid (whom I don't care much for)-but let's see them take on Obama t 65% approval rating- I doubt they have the guts. Tax cut, tax cut, tax cut- I bet that was their first words. The American people could not have been more clearer in November- they voted for OBAMA not MCCAIN- Elections have Consequences- so deal with it Republicans
Keep up the good work Obama
The President did a fabulous job on this speech-I saw it on CNN. He knocked it out of the park. I've been so angry listening all week to the same tired arguments from the same tired old men, it's sickening. Republicans just do not get it. As Obama said at his inauguration; "the ground is shifting under your feet", and I hope at some point they get the message.
Obama has given the republicans a chance to stand up to the plate and work for the good of our country. They are stuck in the ways of Washington. Fat cats, protect your own ass and don't get caught. Well, it's about time the American people pay attention and show them who they're working for. Republicans have zero credibility on the economy. Their free market, greed and corruption are what's got us into this mess. We voted for change and with or without them, it's going to happen.
Its mostly the media's fault. Its the way they cover the debate over spending vs. tax cuts. Whenever a democrat proposes spending, the media is quick to demand to know "how do you plan to pay for that?!" Whenever a republican proposes tax cuts, the media is quick to bend over and say "yea! more tax cuts the executives at wells fargo!" The media should be asking "what offsets in spending are you proposing to pay for those tax cuts or are you simply planning to borrow the revenue the gov't will lose by collecting fewer tax dollars?" Borrow and spend is no better than tax and spend and the media completely avoids that fact.
Why is it that when the republicans mess up it's all good, but when a democrat dares to utter ANY thought, it's all bad?
I am proud to have Obama as my president. It is refreshing to have a man in office instead of a sniffling little boy (George W. Bush). I admire the care in which he delivers his speeches, his openness, his willingness to hear new ideas, and his candor. I hope his attributes spread in a trickle down effect-- to politicians, state legislators, and the American people.
The same idiots who got the country into this mess are now posturing for their constituents, and trying to continue pushing the same garbage policies. Did someone not tell them they lost? The reason is we wanted something different!!!!
republicans always want to chastise someone because for 8 years they believed their own bullshit, now they got their backs against the wall because Americans are not buying their same old ,blame game, they are totally irrelevant to the 21st century, they are going the way of the dinosuar to extinction as a party. We have a winner in the Whitehouse, so tell them old dudes that are whinning, to motivate,mutate or migrate to retirement
I have been following this economy for the last eight years and previous years. What I have learned in this and in life is history will repeat itself if you don't learn from it. We have repeated ourselves from the Great Depression and it is worst than that time because we have more people and more to lose. Therefore, we CANNOT continue to keep going down the same road with the same solutions that DO NOT WORK. At some point we have to care about our future and especially our KIDS future. They are watching us. Whoever has their EGO's in this needs to pull it out, we don't have time for it. If the Republicans cannot come to the table with new solutions then they must be made an example of, pure and simple. Right now we are giving them too much power and it has to stop. Go through the plan, if there are legitimate things in there that does not help right now but can later in another bill take it out. If there are spending things we need now, keep them in and if there are future things in there that we need to keep in so we can be ahead of the game, keep those in. It is not rocket science. Maybe Congress should have had a committee of outside CEO's that are doing things right and other economist that have a fresh view and bring them to the table. But all in all, stop wasting the American Public and the worlds time with this childish bickering, someone STAND UP and be a GROWN UP in this!
Yes, Mrs. Stern. I can't stand listening to Boehner knowing he was in bed with Abramoff and never got called out for his corrupt ways. All the deregulation policies put in place by Reagan has led to this moment, and we should keep supporting the same old tax cut strategy to make the ceos richer? What is a tax cut going to do for all those without jobs and no income to tax?
The first comment says it all.
Mr. Obama has given us some significant, perhaps even great, addresses as candidate and, now, as president.
I look forward to hearing more from him.
THE REPUBLICANS DID GET US INTO THIS... UNFORTUNATELY THIS MEANS WE CANNOT CROSS PARTY LINES.... WE NEED TO VOTE ONLY REPUBLICAN, EVEN IN THE LOCAL ELECTIONS WHERE WE KNOW THE PEOPLE ARE COMPETENT... BECAUSE IN THE END THE REPUBLICANS HAVE PROVEN TO BE PARTISAN AND NOT CARE ABOUT ANY OF US
I trust , respect, and support President Obama. Why would anyone trust the Republican Party? They have no new ideas. They are rooted in the past. In November, we sent a message, "We want to see things done differently." Tax cuts, alone, do not work. Where was the media, who seem to embrace conservative talking points, during the last 8 years? The previous adminstration has brought America to its knees. And, they want to continue the same old way.
Where were these fools (Republicans) as we spent (and continue to spend) millions of dollars per day in Iraq, while most of us knew this money was going to KBR and Blackwater? How dare they obstruct, given the past 8 years? To say they are being "shut out" of the process, when until 2006, Democrats were regularly shut out of the process in just about every committee meeting held, is more than hypocrisy (there has to be a more damning term). It's hard to believe that these are the same elected officials who got us into this mess; they represent nothing more now than their own twisted zealotry. To them, the concept of people first is hooey. Party-first-and-only is their hue and cry. God help us all.
These Republicans are TOXIC to this country.
No more cumbaya, Mr. President. We tried to work with them and like parrots, the deregulation/ tax cutter crowd have nothing but the same failed policies that got us in this mess.
YOU WON! Now please lead the way.
The narcissistic nincompoops in control of the White House and Congress over the last eight long-suffering (for the American public) years will, obviously, do anything to retain/regain power. Hold their "feats" to the fire! They were the
"deciders" and their decisions created the current crises! End of story! and the beginning of a new era sans Bush and his band of fools.
Russell Travis, Ph.D
homelessquarters.org
Portland, Oregon
Thank you President Obama for standing up to the bullies, armchair quarterbacks, and all of those who offer a mouthful of criticism but no solutions(except the same trickle down lies). The republicans will only be satisfied after the stimulus bill is reduced to one sentence. That sentence is Give more tax breaks to the extremely wealthy, and they will throw you some bread crumbs.
Amen!
This is nothing more than a political game to the republicans - they're terrified that this bill will work and the economy will turn around and the dems will get the credit. They're putting the fate of their party above the needs of the country. I find that shameful, but not surprising in the least. It's just more of their tired old tactics. Have they offered anything but criticisms? Where's their plan? Anybody see Lindsey Grahams temper tantrum today? What a site - whining that Obama has been AWOL - what a lyin' sack of republican.
Have you ever notice the facial expression of most of the Republicans?
They appear to be mean, snearing & lack compassion.
I am not catholic, but I think someobody needs to throw some holy water on them!
Jackie
Jacksonville Fl
If you have people in Washington who are not representing the people who put them in office, and are playing childish games because they don't get to run things the way they used to, you should give them a call and remind them who put them there. They work for you, and your friends and neighbors. Make sure they are allocating the money directly to the mayors, not the governors. If your governor is like mine, then he or she has no intention of using the money the way it was intended and will blame the president because the stimulus did not work after it's all gone.
I'm in full agreement. It's time to bring transparency and common sense back into government, and the GOP doesn't have the answer.
Well maybe now people will realize that the Democrats can pass the own (bleeping) bill
In the future we as Americans must remember, A vote for any republican or blue dog democrat is a vote against America.
this is sure a very matured political speech and very convincing. If the situation is as pressing as all politicians in DC make it to b, i wonder why we keep on seeing the GOP making jokes and silly comments on TV, rather than approaching this program in good faith rather than appearing to making juvinile political posturing.
Thank you President Obama for that moving speech. That is exactly what has been lacking over the past few weeks. The Republicans have, to their credit, spun this package into a ball of knots in an overt attempt to confuse Americans. Republicans are cowards, and they so quickly forgot who won the election. John McCain himself had his mug on every press station available and still, to this day, states that the economy is "not in that bad of shape." WHAT AN IDIOT! That is exactly why he lost the election. How dare he think America gives a RATS ARSE about what he thinks. Keep defending the package Democrats, get the truth out, stop the lies and deception that the Republican party keeps igniting. We voted for CHANGE....so keep the change a coming.
I just LOVE this guy. He started out with "It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant.", then it was "I won" and now it's "more tax cuts as the only answer to every problem we face". Finally someone who is not afraid of the Republicans. Keep standing up to them PRESIDENT Obama, 68.7 million voters are behind you as well as the everyone outside of the "pro-American" parts of the country.
That was the best speech I have ever read. I wish I could have heard it in person. This man is going to be the greatest leader this country has ever had for the people, by the people. He is the most honest politician I have ever heard. This man speaks from his heart and he truly wants to make America great and respected again. I think after eight years I am starting to be proud of my country again, and there is a chance the world will stop hating us after the horrible leadership we have had forced down our throats the past eight years. Thank You President Obama.
Please stop using the catch all phrase of "critics"--as if there is some large group out there opposed to this bill. The American people would like to see their tax dollars invested in wind, solar, and energy conservation. Just as the internet created a new economy for the entire world, so too will the green revolution.
America the four Freemason push boy"s in that picture are still trying to push bush"s freemason agenda . remember skull and bones in college he admitted to being but said he coulnt talk about what"s with that could"nt talk about what .President john Quincy Adams in 1830 he was elected to the U.S. house of represntives on the anti-freemason party ticket and won that seat .America our country has been hijacjed by these tyrants for decades. president Adams also said Masonry ought forever to be abolished.It is wrong-essentially wrong-A seed of evil, which can never produce any good . hello Bush is a testimony to mr.adams.Do you want more from mr.adams freemasonry is deceptive and fraudulant.its promises is light- its performance is darkness president John Quincy Adams when are you the media going to grow a pair and start asking the tuff questions to these powermongers,fakes, and frauds .The propaganda system allows the U.S. leadership to commit crimes without limit and with no suggestion of misbehavior or criminality in fact major war criminals like bush,cheney,rumsfield,libby,fredo,myers and the masons appear on Tv to comment on the crimes of the derivative butchers . thank GOD we have a new president who"s honest to us and is not hiding behind and an agenda or propaganda tatics wake up america its time to vote these tyrants out of office and send them packing for good and I will continue to voice my thoughts to the country until america starts asking it self who are these tyrants and whats there agenda. our new president is like a breath of fresh air after being held under water for 8years by Bush and his freemason agenda and all the evils that go with it mr.president fight for the people sir . I am praying for you
Obama just signaled that this is going to be a tough fight. If the republicans continue to fight him on the stimulus package, Obama's going start giving nightly speeches to the nation in which he walks the country through a History of "Republican-nomics" and all their FAILED for-the-rich-only policies, and absolutely decimate the republican brand.
The republicans need to keep this crap up and force Obama to deliver a State of The Union speech in which he tears them apart, failed policy by failed policy. If they do, the republican brand is done. Better for them to help pass the bill and look like part of the solution, rather than be battered by Obama in a killer speech - a beating that they probably won’t recover from anytime soon.
The President is plainly saying “YOU GOT US INTO THIS MESS AND NOW YOU’RE PLAYING POLITICS WITH THE STIMULUS PACKAGE!”. Do the republicans REALLY want this line of conversation to continue?
Bravo. Another brilliant speech by President Obama. History in the making.
Agree with Mrs. Stern. Keep educating the public by exposing Repub culpability and lies. The common people are listening and can now fact check, thanks to the internet.
They want jobs, not self-serving Repubs whining like 2 year olds. Most of my neighbors blame (and consequently reject) their old party, realizing GOP policies have made them destitute.
In addition, I don't think the average GOP leader has a clue how embarrassed (particularly the male) constituents are in these parts for the horrific unemployment Bush and his Rich CEOs caused.
If GOP had a clue, they would concede they've utterly ruined the middle class and shut up. They are too stupid to realize they are engendering profound resentment among the middle class with each attempt to obfuscate or deflect blame. Rovian tactics are part of an old, dead era to these people. There is no question. The GOP is a stinking corpse, and The People want it either buried or burned.
Amen. President Obama should keep pounding the Republicans on the head. He has to keep reminding them that they got us in this mess. Shut up about tax cuts.
It give us regular people a great feeling to know the president is trying to help us in these difficult times. The republicans seem to have abandoned the people,only caring about their greed driven objectives. It is a new day and we need President Obama to save all of us from the unemployment line. Thank Mr Obama we support you
I agree, Mrs. Stern! One thing about the republicans is once they agree on what lie or spin they want to promote, they are all ducks in a row. We saw it in the primaries and the general elections. All they had to do was turn on the recorder and move the lips! Their leadership says this is the message and no one dares to question it, after all, look at what happenned to John McCain. He lost because he got on message too late. Now, after George Bush has left us broke and with the highest deficit in history, the republican party is worried about spending. Where were they when Bush was out there spending freely? I only hope our democratic leadership puts their foot down! I pray they quit trying to appease the rich party. We the common majority are the ones feeling the pinch. We are the ones who have paid all those taxes so Bush could spend as he please, without regard for us. NOW, THE REPUBLICAN WEALTHY PARTY IS WORRIED. Not because they care about the majority, but, because THEY may have to pay their fare share soon. I only wish the taxes were reversed as they were when Bush went to Washington. God bless us all, especially the party leaders who care about our country and its well-being!
You got the power. The people voted and gave you the power. Now you are showing the authority, because the people who voted for you, knew that you have plenty of it. It was about time to finally have a boos in charge. Way to go !!!
It is so exciting to have a President who is intelligent and sincere! The Republicans are going to have to change to stay in the game. The country has a real leader now.
It is so incredibly frustrating that the politicians are continuing to play their games when so very much is at stake. For crying out loud, don't they get it? We are all in this together and must work to climb out of this enormous hole we find ourselves in. How is it remotely believable that all Senators on one side are so completely against this economic recovery plan? Is it even statistically possible without factoring in ideology? I truly believe that Americans will not tolerate the political gaming at our expense. Our President is trying to pull the country out of this mess and it's time for the rest of the elected officials to get on board.
Allocate funds to Menino? He'll use it all on buildings he can name after himself and hiring more family and friends for six figure government jobs with lifetime benefits even if they are convicted of felonies or resign in disgrace.
I wish people would stop trying to distinguish between Democrat and Republican. They are all basically the same, career politicians far more concerned with spending our money to remain entrenched. Incumbents growing fat on our backs spending money that generations of Amerincans will have to repay.
You Zoned Out, Brain-Dead Obama supporters.... That speech tonight was filled with blame, hypocrisy and lies.... He is a CLOWN and is so desperate to get this crap sandwich passed before the public REALLY knows how their money is being wasted for partisan left wing paybacks..... Oh well, you people clearly are not very intelligent either, check out the polls---support drops everyday that the people get the truth about this garbage.... Barry is in over his head this time.... If he wasn't so dangerous to the country, he'd be funny....
Thank you Mr President Obama it is about time to tell Republicans that last eight years they are responsible for the mess they create, and tell them on their face. They must put Politics on side and face the reality of our time. THEY BANKRUPT THE COUNTRY AND THEY ARE NOT ASHAMED OF IT. WE MUST TELL THIS REPUBLICANS SHAME ON YOU.....
$150 million cut to the Violence Against Women Act
" $50 million to the Victims of Crime Act
" $25 million to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces
" $1.1 billion to Head Start
" $50 million to Teacher Quality Partnership Grants
" $5.2 billion for Prevention And Wellness (including diabetes screening and HIV testing)
" $13.9 billion for Pell Grants
" $2 billion for Child Care Development Block Grants
heres what the Republicans have taken out.
The Republicans just can't give up their nearly 30 year governance that has destroyed the American economy. Their "free market" economy has cost us dearly. Time for a change. Regulation, responsibility, reality.
I have waited 8 long years to say this.
I love my president.
I love you Mr. President!!!!
Obama a con man what happen with bringing us together this guy so far over his head its scary. Liberals are all a buch od pussey that don;t kn w shit about business. this bill will bankrupt the country. Obama should be impeeched for closing gitmo. It's a act of treson.
I feel better already. The sneering tax cutting fat cats throwing stones from their glass houses are bankrupt. They were bankrupt long before Obama won the election. And the key word here, is won.
Obama is a nice guy, but the time has come to say...this isn't working, boys, get off the pot, we got work to do. Your make up is running.
When I wanna give the politics a break... this PULLS me right back in. If you voted for this and want this here is a **NEWSFLASH***If your Spending Bill is so freaking great well why dont you and the rest of the Democrats just pass the damm thing!?! You got the already got the votes!
i cant wait to see what 800 billion in honey bee insurance actually is. i'm on the edge of my seat. the bee's must be unionized.
The REPUGS need to go in a wall and stay there. RACIST SON OF BITCHES!!!
The American people now have the opportunity to view the Republican Party in all of it's glory. They will look upon them with disgust, as vomit, and watch as the dogs they are go back to eat that very same vomit spewed up by Cheney/Bush. America is very close to returning to it's roots, and the silent rumble is growing louder. Failure for the Republicans will not mean the failure of the USA, but a much better place without them.
Obama should challenge Republicans to come to the table with NEW ideas, since their tired, old tax cut strategy got us into this mess. Let them know he's not negotiating the inclusion of more tax cuts.
I think it's ridiculous. The Republican's got us into this mess and they are the stallmates with helping us fix it. I usually don't respond to these blogs but I think it just shows they are a bunch of incompetent old men. They spend billions in Iraq but can't spend a dime to help the people of the country they so claim to love. I hope everyone one of them gets voted out of office. The sooner the better.
Good job President Obama! Well said and keep focused on the future and the big picture. You have a lot on your plate -- left there by a failing previous 8 years. We voted for you -- you have the mandate, don't let the critics distract you from the end goal.
God speed.
It's not about criminalizing policy differences when your policies were criminal. Enjoy being put out of business GOP. You did it to yourself. Resistance is futile. And remember, no where in the Constitution does it say the Republican Party can't be dissolved and banned from the process. It's what you DESERVE. And I mean you morons at the top, not the traditional conservatives you betrayed to your Neocon overlords and the K Street graft peddlers. Traditional conservative need a new party. You trampled on them worse than anyone other than the Constitution itself. Why? Because now even when a real conservative (NOT a Neocon) has a valid point, they really aren't going to be listened to because of your propagandistic, imperialistic, fascist greed tarnishing a once great tradition. Edmund Burke would be appalled. You broke it, you suffer the consequences.
If they are so concerned and want to help why don't they give up their rich lifestyles and donate their money to help all us at home. Check what they have in their campaign coffers, it is all of congress, not just republicans or democrats. I've learned to live on what I make. Congress and President Obama have no clue what the real world is about. They have a retreat and spend how much money? I thought they ran to be public servants, no they ran to make millions off us idiots who keep voting them in and donating money to them. We all have forgot the principles that our country was founded on. If they really want to help us put the money in ordinary peoples hands and let us pay off our own bills.
We are witnessing a GREAT LEADER in the making. That speech was AWESOME!!
Thank you, Mr. President!!!! The Republicans have met their match.
YOU PEOPLE ARE ALL BRAIN DEAD. IF SAINT BARRY SAYS THE SKY IS GREEN, YOU ALL BELIEVE HIM. FOOLS!!!
This reminds me of "Custer's last stand" .... The "old guard establishment" is desperate to retain the last vestiges of their power. They are making a last stand and when it comes to the mid-term elections, we, the people, must kick them into oblivion. For now, we need to put pressure on our representatives, especially the Senators. Start acting by putting pressure on the politicians who are NOT representing the interests of the people.
Thank you thank you President Obama. Enough of their BS. This is not their country alone and they feel that only their rich friends and themselves have the right to any form of prosperity in this country. Yes the people spoke and have rejected their myopic ideas of the past 8 years.. What I cannot understand about these Repugs are they have been wrong dead wrong for the past y 8 years and even before when they had control of both the Senate and Congress and yet now when all their bad deeds have come to fruition they now have the answer to the problems? Just who do they think they are fooling with their “objections” to the stimulus package? Only themselves. They want to drag their feet and stall as long as possible then when things become extreme they will be the ones to say this new administration has failed on their pre election message. Again enough of them. Hey Repugs your cluster crap is over and I hope your supporters will wake up and see for themselves just who you folks really are. Enough! Hey Boner, McConnel and Corning. Hit the road. Your type of crap is no longer needed!
Obama is a true leader!! Enough of the B.S. and media get good ratings to mix up and confuse us.
Let the man do what he campaigned for and what all of us support him for!!! Change is coming but not fast enough for the talking heads(repubs mainly)
We need to do more than post our discontentment on blogs. We need to "be the change" and send emails and make calls to our representatives in congress -since Senator Reid can't seem to even get democratic votes tonight-and we need to send thousands of emails to the opposition. We are an army-we need to go to the battlefield and fight. Our President may be able to do it by himself; but wouldn't it be sweet to help him get the victory?
WOW, I've heard it all now. You lemmings live in MA and are going down the tubes due to the incompetent whimpy Dems in charge and all you can do is blame Bush. Problems started way before W was elected. Obama is a joke and he's having a little hissy fit because he's not getting his way. Get used to it you liberal d- bags
Its fun to watch someone burn through political capital like Germans burnt Deutchemarks immediately following WWI. How did we elect this moron?
The US government is now the only consumer of note in our fair country. If the stimulus fails, will the last person to leave America kindly turn out the lights?
REPUBLICANS, NEVER HAD ANY RESPECT,FOR ABOUT APPROX. 99 PERCENT OF AMERICANS,THEY REPRESENT THE TOP 1% ,AND TRY TO FOOL THE REST.
HOLD THIS GROUP OF UN-AMERICAN GOP GANG ACCOUNTABLE!
call congress today demand passage of the stimulus bill
tell the GOP that it is their tired old trickle down policies that converted a surplus to a deficit
When the Pubbies bleat about "bi-partisanship" remember that NOT ONE of them in the House voted for Obama's stimulus bill. Ideologically, the Pubbies are Nazi Brownshirts who intend to convert America into a fascist dictatorship.
Love, love, love the speech. They, the republicans do not know who they are messing with. The republicans have a job that we the people are still paying for, so they are not feeling the pain or the disappointment people are feeling not being able to pay the mortgage or other bills. Mccain have 7 houses remember ,so he does not care if other folks kids do not have food, insurance or if a parent looses there job.
Sometimes the government have to spend money to make money, any business class can tell you that. They never thought about spending when they decided to go into Iraq.
Wow guys and gals you can't be no more right. After eight years of backing Bush on every wasted policy or bill he could muster all of a sudden they seem to have king kong balls to a solution of making it all better for the American people. Where were they then, "no where to be found." So who needs them now. I say annihilate the whole party for they do not represent America. These prunes, their r backward thinking is what we don't want or need. I'm tired of looking at them huddle around a mike as if they have something of importance to say. We voted for a moving forward. Let's keep truckin. We've got to start somewhere at turning this horrendous mess around.
I am tired of these sic. Republicans.
Here is my question to them....
They want to cut taxes big time..okay thats good if I am making good money and I have job.
But these dumb, ignorant, blind republicans don't know that I lost my job and cutting tax soes not make my life any better..I am going to loose my house , car, kids saving.
I need job and only government can spend to create the job in economy like this...
If all big fortune 500 companies are laying off workers, then who can come and rescue us.
Spending by Government....and the spending is on America.....work will be done by American..tax will be paid to US government..Americans business will be benifited.
I can save my house, my kids future.....
So what is wrong here?
Please Explain....
Let's get something straight right now. The problem most of us have with the stimulus package is the same problem we had with TARP: in too many instances the guys who screwed things up are now being depended upon to get us out of this mess! And you wonder why we think you're mad? You keep thinking that the people who got us into this mess can get us out! Wall Street blew threw a trillion dollars of its own money and then a trillion of ours, so now you tell us that we have to have these high-priced "talent" boys, when the only talent they have is failure (hence the Golden Parachutes). I thought the message we the people sent was rather clear. I think we're going to send it again . . . real soon!
Comrade Obama is already surrounded by problems and controversies of his own making. Tax problem this and tax problem that...do any Democrats NOT have a tax problem.
We want TAX CUTS and SOME spending...Cut this Porkulus bill in half.
Comrade Obama wants to rush it through because he knows there is a lot of crap within in..all you have to do is look.
I suspect the reason that Republicans are against this plan is because it will "begin to end the tyranny of oil in our time", as Mr. President mentioned in his speech. Although oil will be completely tapped out in--what? 80 years, I think?-- the Republicans want to get every last cent out of every last drop.
Awesome, awesome speech! I was watching him in awe when it aired. Even republican governors are asking for the money that republican senators want out! President Obama spoke with passion and you could hear his feelings. I love him.
Transparency? TRANSPARENCY? Are you out of your freaking mind? Trying to push through this 'stimulus' bill with the scary crap he's been spewing. He should be ashamed. It was only after the entire republican congress (and a few dems) said "NO" did we start to get a better look at this blank check for the future People's Republic of America. Their is plenty of blame to go around. But now let's move along and let's be clear. Stimulus is one thing. Padding your political pockets with 600 BILLION of pork is another. It is disgusting.
If the new administration doesn't come down hard on the present way of doing things in washington the next administration may not be by bullets not ballots. Don't take that statement as a support of this idea but it doesn't make it less of a possibility.
Voters "Sent Us Here to Bring Change"...he is so right! And we the voters need to take note what the republicans are doing now. Republican Congressmen and Senators must be reminded that we the people can also make change ...on their next election cycle.
Hail Obama! Praise Obama! - It's like the dems have found the next Jim Jones and are willingly obeying his every whim. How very sad indeed. To give one man such authority and honor is downright scary. To claim that he is the only one "out there with the courage we need right now" is ridiculous.
There are two basic principles that need to be considered here: "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." Unless we require that changes are made in the way we do business we'll always have these problems, no matter how much money we throw at it. The other is: "you can't solve money problems with money." By throwing money at the problem we are ensuring that change is never made and we revert back to the first principle.
To the respondent who claimed that "republicans will only be satisfied after the stimulus bill is reduced to one sentence", I agree. This Republican will only be happy when the bill reads, "you were stupid with your money; good luck to ya."
The mention of the cost of the retreat in the article seemed like a dig at the Democrats, but I don't understand why. $100,000 on a 3 day retreat for 257 Democratic house members. That's $129 per day per member, less if there are staffers included. Does that include hotel and air fare? Sounds like a bargain.
Obama's speach was hostile partisan and insulting to the minds of the American people.
This is not the new politics that he promised us during the campaign.
The reason why the Republicans and even some Democrats don't like his ridiculous bill is because it's an obvious loser based on Japan's failed stimulus of the 90's in which Geitner was involved. It didn't help them at all and in fact extended their slump for ten years or more.
Obama promised better and we all should hold him to it.
Obama's speach was hostile partisan and insulting to the minds of the American people.
This is not the new politics that he promised us during the campaign.
The reason why the Republicans and even some Democrats don't like his ridiculous bill is because it's an obvious loser based on Japan's failed stimulus of the 90's in which Geitner was involved. It didn't help them at all and in fact extended their slump for ten years or more.
Obama promised better and we all should hold him to it.
The Democrats don't need Republican votes. Let them pass it without them and reap the praise if it succeeds or the scorn if it fails. Why do you need bipartisanship when you have the majority?
Obama finally got to use his spiffy new AFOne to fly to Williamsburg last night. to fire up his cronies. Why does he have to use this perk when it is only 150 miles to the retreat? What a moron ---- wait until the taxpayers get a load of him in his new Air Force One Jacket as he runs up and down the aisle shouting "Look at me I won". If it weren't such a waste and embarrassment it would be comical.
It really amazes me that people think this way. Neither republicans or democrats got us into this mess. We got ourselves into it by not demanding accountability and ethical behavior from our duly elected officials and business leaders. We elected them and just ignored everything after we elected them to public office. Let's face it, since the last century most of the people we have elected have been professional politicians who haven't held another job in recent memory. When you give anyone the power that someone in public office has and the access to a nearly unlimited ability to spend, and do not insist on accountability, you have a recipe for disaster. This isn't a Republican or a Democratic mess it is OUR mess.
MIndless sheep. Read all of "The Obama File" and see if your remarks are justified. I'm waiting...
Thank you John Brimson....you are right on it.
I have to laugh as I read all these comments. People, we don't need a man that gives great speechs...but one with experience.
He did not create that stimulus plan, but all the dictators working under him now did.
I also have to laugh at the question someone says above on why Republicans hate America.
Don't forget what ever decision is made, it will not just affect our problems today, but will affect our children and grandchildren. We should not take it lightly.
Voters "Sent Us Here to Bring Change"...he is so right! And we the voters need to take note what the republicans are doing now. Republican Congressmen and Senators must be reminded that we the people can also make change ...on their next election cycle.
98.
You are exactly correct.
And so why are all you folks whining about Repubs? This is your bill and it's going to pass. You have the votes & Obama will not veto it. You don't need Republicans.
Obama is making a fuss about nothing. He's getting axactly what he wants!
"I have waited 8 long years to say this. I love my president."
This is DISGUSTING. You "love" a president? Seriously -- you live in America, and you have emotions like "love" for a government figure?
Actually, let me rephrase that opening: It's not disgusting. It's depressing. This is a newspaper in Boston, cradle of the American revolution and source of the energy behind the Declaration of Indepedence. And this newspaper is eliciting comments about "loving" presidents.
America is so done. The thing is over. The country called "the United States" will continue to exist. But America, the idea and the experiment, is finished. It's clear that human beings are not equipped to be independent and free. This two-century journey has demonstrated that. We tried. We adopted the idea that those folks in Boston were pushing, then steadily chipped away at it in the ensuing years. It's really sad, when you get down to it.
Maybe evolution will eventually lead us to a time when humans are capable of being independent and free. Obviously we're not yet there. We had this thing in our hands, and we threw it away.
Its the republicans that got us into this mess so i agree on the stimulus. Its not all about you its about the american people who suffer from all of this thank to you and i am angry about this.
I saw President Obama's speech last night and it was GREAT I love my President he is intelligent, articulate and got his stuff together. We have a great man as our leader of the free world and "I am proud to be an Amercian for at least I know I'm free" :)
#1 President supporter