Stop the "Stimulus" Spending Spree

[FigurinItOut]

Yes, isn't it terrible that Obama spends money to improve the infrastructure of the United States? We need to pump more trillions into Iraq and other deserving countries where the money will be put to good use. I can't stand the thought of better US healthcare when there are roads that need paving in Baghdad.

[crowman733]

Obama sucks! Nancy Pelosi sucks! Big government is the worst thing to happen because it never works. Obama is going to be a disaster just like Bush.

[phct]

Most stimulus packages don't really work, like in the past. They just want to fulfill personal agenda. They know they're lying to us all when they say " we'll fix this problem" Americans just keep on believing the government over and over. The government has our heads so lost in popular culture, we could care less about REALLY fixing financial problems, we just want our iPhones and Hollister clothing. Another thing.. Modern Cell phones create communication problems in younger people.

[bensguitarrocks]

I'm not too politically saavy, but why doesn't the government give all that money to the citizens? If they gave each person who filed a tax return $20,000.00, wouldn't that stimulate the economy more that $360 million dollars going to build a frisbee golf course? What would the average american do with $20,000? Spend most of it! Down payment on a house = fixes housing market. Buy a car = fixes the auto market. Buying random "stuff" = creates jobs. Obama's stimulus = waste.

[zeroepyon]

Although I completely agree with you, I'll explain why not. The government doesn't know who you are exactly. You could be a drug lord for all they know. Also, they would like to be able to keep track of where the money goes and what it's being invested into. You don't want 20K going to an underground terrorist group and then have them attack us or another country using U.S. funds.

[zeroepyon]

Building stuff doesn't just create jobs it moves the market. You still have to pay for materials, which goes to contractors and manufacturers. They stay and business and hire more workers. Those workers then get disposable income and spend it. I would like citizens to have it all but you have to look at the big picture.

[mrfrymcflubbs]

Yes, tax cuts across the board worked. Evidence is clearly shown in the state of our economy. Good job hypocritcal neo-conservatives, you have handled the economy in the most inept way possible. You scream about a million here and five hundred thousand there. What about ten billion a month in a fruitless war? But you're right, tax cuts are the answer, as always.

[Baculus]

Yeah, that is the strangest part. During the last two presidential terms, we have been spending money, hand over fist, in DoD and Iraqi rebuilding, to the tune of almost a trillion dollars.

And not a peep from Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, etc.

NOW, they suddenly act concerned for the budget, when it's proposed that some infrastructure spending is needed. Here. Not there in Iraq. But here.

Whatever with country first? Why do the Iraqis get to have new bridges, but we can't?

[hanuman99]

less government please. that would be the best investment.

[HNK222]

Apparently, 8 years of the thoroughly discredited ideology of conservatism isn't enough for some people to understand that constantly stealing the American people's money and handing it to the top 1% under the guise of "tax breaks for Americans" is a recipe for disaster. When Clinton increased government spending in the 1990's, did it lead to the strongest economy in the past 50 years or did it tank the economy the way trickle-down Reagan-conservatism did? Conservatives are absolute morons..

[fishbait888]

Call the SENATE SWITCHBOARD at 202-244-3121.

Tell them NO PORK BILL!

STOP THE $900 BILLION DOLLAR PORK BILL!

[MEAGHER79]

Stop this bill. Emil or call your state senators. We cannot let this go through. STOP NOBAMA and his socialist thinking.

[tutkill]

I want some Bee Insurance too-wait I don't have any bees. LOL

[dtournyc]

its all the regulation currently on the books that causes moral hazard and mal investment. in a true free market you have a lot more self regulation and market corrections that get written in. when government interferes as it does too much it distorts the market. example: community reinvestment act under Clinton, IRS tax loopholes for home-owners, artificially low rates by the Fed... all led to this crisis. Money was allocated to housing and had the govt. seal of approval. less govt the better

[CMK227CR]

Stop wasting our money. No more government handout. This will not stimulate our economy. Too much pork.

[Baculus]

The problem is that tax relief through various business, individual taxes, and cut interest rates may not be sufficient.

Probably the most interesting part may be the $15,000 refund for home owners. But many people are spending less and less, so the money wouldn't be injected back into the economy. If folks just sit on their cash, out of fear, then the recovery will not be terribly rapid.

One problem, too, is that state governments are big employers, and they are having budget shortfalls.

[CMK227CR]

Remember that it is a $15K tax credit. The direct dollar-for-dollar reduction of an individual's tax liability; compare with tax deduction, which reduces an individual's tax liability only in proportion to his/her tax bracket. This means that if you really don't pay any taxes it will not really help you when purchasing a home.

[PizzaPizza33]

This isn't a stimulus package, its just government handouts. Nothing different from Bush

[se7entyse7en77]

No different from Bush? You poor misguided liberal. It's Congress that has budget authority and spends the taxpayers money.

[Baculus]

The President proposes and submits a budget to Congress, which is the first step in the process. Then the house and the senate draft a budget resolution, and the process begins.

Too many "conservatives" are so concerned about clashing with their liberal counter-parts that they ignore the actual process. We already have had huge federal budgets as it is, with many a conservative seemingly uncaring until now.

[siclos]

Most earmarks are items added to a bill in order to secure the vote of a certain member of congress. Under Obama there will be no earmarks. Now all the pork will just be wrapped up into a bill called a "stimulus package" and passed easily by the democratic majority. See, in order for it to be an earmark... a democrat would need withhold their vote on something while Obama was in office, or the opinion of a republican would need to impact the bill... neither of which will happen.

[onejanedoe2003]

I want to ask a question, and truly, with all your soul and innate intelligence, think about it, debate it in your mind, research it, and then come to a conclusion: Do We Really Need A Government?

[RossingtonMichael]

to maintain this quality of life? absolutely, unquestionably.

If you want to live without power or luxury, than just move to the Canadian back country.

[dtournyc]

America is.."was" the most free and prosperous nation in the world...WITHOUT the Federal Government and all its agencies and regulations..our economic demise is due to big government...it crushes creativity and freedom.

[HisRoyalDudeliness]

Didn't lack of regulation fuck things up in the first place?

[se7entyse7en77]

Nope, it was corruption by the Dems that caused the crisis. Many of them walked away with millions. Now they are leading the country. We are all fucked.

[HisRoyalDudeliness]

I'd have to say lack of regulation on the banking industry sounds a bit more realistic than blaming a single party.

[Baculus]

Incorrect. The regulatory crises started years ago with Republicans such as Phill Gramm, who pushed banking deregulation with legislation such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which has been tied to the recent mortgage crises.

We already went through this with the S&L scandal during the 80's, which benefited Republicans.

It isn't the Democrats who are known for Wall Street and the banks - that's the realm of Republicans. And to suddenly blame the Democrats is a flight of fancy.

[CPAsheldon]

What is a Mob Museum???

Yeah, let's spend $55 million on that!?

I strongly agree that lower permanent tax rates will be the biggest stimulus to our economy and for job creation! That allows the private sector to make better decisions with the money than a few in government will ever do.

[siclos]

The Mob Museum will be built in Las Vegas to attract tourists with exhibits chronicalling the role of organized crime (the "Mob") in the history of Las Vegas.

Tourism in Las Vegas is on the decline due to the economy, so rather than diversify the economy of the city, of course Oscar Goodman, democratic mayor of Las Vegas, asks for a tourist attraction.

[pimpinkin87]

hell if they want a mob museum then just change our countrys name to mob museum because damn near every politician in this country is corrupt, why spend 55mil when its an already free attraction, this shit goes on everyday

[CMK227CR]

Amen!  I wish more people would understand that. Lower taxes for the private sector.

[bertly71]

Scary that this "bailout" will be paid for by so many future generations. All I see here is bigger government.

[rphummer2111]

I don't think there will be anything left for future generations. Our creditors will own this country soon.

[bertly71]

I coundn't agree with you more. At least no house GOP members and 11 Dems voted against this next stimulus. When it does not work, it will have OBAMA's failed stimulus on the label. He will be a one termer like Carter.

[ACPUSA]

That red font isn't readable.

[TheSharpenedPen]

It's Keynsian economics, which is firmly grounded in socialist principles of redistribution of wealth. Keysians believe that saved money is wasted money, ignoring the fact that money in the bank is still 'in' the economy, and that it takes 'savings' to produce jobs in the private sector. The American people are instinctually doing the right thing during this depression by saving their money. Hopefully that continues, and they don't fall for the hope & change rhetoric that will rob them blind.