Jay Bookman

By Class of '98

February 3, 2009 5:25 PM | Link to this

And if the Democrats are just trying to forcefeed their agenda, and reward their fatcat donors (like the movie producers), they should just say so.

By AJC/DNC Management

February 3, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this

So where do you stand on 4.19 Billion for ACORN?

By rcs

February 3, 2009 5:38 PM | Link to this

{{{{ $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). }}}}

What arctic ice? I thought it was melting away.

By getalife

February 3, 2009 5:50 PM | Link to this

The first one is for Hollywood donors. Could cut that one.

Second one for the poor.

Third, government workers.

The last one is for better health and marketers.

The gop finally proposed something for homeowners.

4% fixed guaranteed 30 year mortgages.

By cubalibre

February 3, 2009 5:53 PM | Link to this

Well, Jay, a friend of mine who works at the CDC would back up your assertion that their offices aren’t exactly the Taj Mahal. But even if they were, considering all the little bacterial & viral delights the CDC’s got tucked away in its vaults, I don’t begrudge it whatever it needs to keep those pesky microbes safely stashed.

The rest of it— I’m just not sure I buy into it. I’m all for stimulating the economy, but in a prudent manner. The more I see of these little addenda that quickly total billions of dollars, well…it’s just too bad the Republicans utterly ruined their fiscal conservative creds over the past decade— no one’s going to listen them crying “wolf” now, even thought they might have actually a point.

By Paul

February 3, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this

This isn’t about what’s good or worthy. Everything listed is good or worthy to someone. It’s about what can jump-start, stimulate (pick a word) the economy to get us out of the recession. Which means the money has to be spent in about 18 months. Not started. Not underway. But spent. Finished. Over with.

So the starting point ought to be - can you get the building built in 18 months? Yes? Consider it. No? Scrap it. Same with the other stuff. Then take it up in the next round of regular appropriations.

On the Today Show yesterday - Pres Obama told Matt Lauer if we don’t see some pretty good results in 3 years there’d be a move to get someone else on the ticket. The last thing he wants is to have so-so results with the opposition clubbing him with “you blew it from the start - $150 billion of that failed effort hasn’t even been spent yet!”

By Taxpayer

February 3, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this

Jay,

Am I missing something here. The total of all the things that they don’t like in the bill comes to 19 billion out of what, 900 billion. To hear these Republicans do that “w” word, I would have thought that their complaints would come to at least 50% of what the Democrats had proposed. I have not looked closely at the Republicans “dream” bill but I can imagine that it’s loaded down with at least 50% tax cuts for the rich and no way to fund them other than more borrowing from China. The Democrats should stick to their original house bill over that garbage.

By Greg Mendel

February 3, 2009 6:17 PM | Link to this

Obama’s stimulus package is pretty toothless. To its credit, it would certainly create some jobs and profits, spread across the nation. And many of its spending projects would be of benefit to the public. It’s very unlikely to create career jobs in the millions.

Republican stimulus proposals — tax cuts, mostly — are the same bright ideas that made the Bush years so successful.

Nobody has the courage to lead the country in pursuit of course-changing goals. In the past, technology and manufacturing were America’s greatest strengths. “Transportation” is a good target. The whole world has to get from one place to another. Revolutionize transportation — from automobiles to trains to airplanes. Make it faster, more economical, and cleaner.

Agriculture. The whole world has to eat, and we’ve got a lot of space that we’ve wasted for a century.

Revolutions in technology, manufacturing and production methods produce new industries, jobs and wealth. We need a national commitment, a goal, and a tight deadline. We don’t need stimulus plans that nibble around the edges or throw good money after bad.

Personally, I think we’re in a hell of a lot more trouble than we realize. The Me Generation is retiring. The My Generation is unemployed. All we have is nukes and Hollywood, and pretty soon, everyone else will have their own. We need to get back to making things people want to buy.

By Paul

February 3, 2009 6:20 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer

[[To hear these Republicans do that “w” word, I would have thought that their complaints would come to at least 50% of what the Democrats had proposed]]

Possibly that’s how some web sites portrayed it? Wait - some said Reps voted against it because they don’t want Americans to have jobs.

[[The Democrats should stick to their original house bill over that garbage.]]

As was noted this morning, there are a number of moderate Democratic senators who are none too happy with the House version - I believe the word they used to describe the changes they would make was “substantial.”

By Chad Harris

February 3, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this

Every SUV that is now de riguer for every federal employee should be sold immediately and that money should be used for hybrid or electronic vehicles.

SUVs should be forbidden for federal use by law. And that includes the excessive number used by the White House.

The banking industry is being treated the way Paris Hilton’s parents brought her up. It’s time to administger the rod to the banking children and let the chips fall where they need to.

The stimulus package is absurd on its face and should not be passed in anywhere near its present form. It reflects poorly on Obama’s economic team in its current form.

Krugman has it nailed, and his description ain’t pretty.

Bailouts for Bunglers

Krugman has continually said that Geithner is timidly avoiding nationalizing bankrupt banks, and I would add or just letting them fail and if that includes banks like Suntrust so be it. They’ve rolled arrogantly for a long long time. If it includes airlines like Delta let it happen.

As blogger Scarecrow has written:

“Proposals to create “bad banks” to purchase some of these assets (at what price?) while insuring against losses for others (based on what assumptions about their value?) seem designed to avoid acknowledging the major banks’ possible insolvency, the responsibility for taking over their management, and dissolving or reorganizing them. But while ducking an answer on the “bad bank” idea, Obama did not avoid the possibility of further bank failure”

By Hillbilly Deluxe

February 3, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this

The long term solution that we need is to abandon a credit/consumer economy and get back to producing things and exporting. We need to repeal NAFTA and start looking out for our own. Globalism doesn’t work for the general population. In the short term we need to do what we can for those who have lost their jobs. We need to increase the debt as little as possible and work towards reducing it when times are better. I wouldn’t be surprised if this downturn lasts 5-10 years.

By Taxpayer

February 3, 2009 6:39 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Granted, I was going for effect regarding the house version. Focusing on the Republican senator’s list of waste though, it’s about 19/900 or ~ 2% of the total. I never dreamed of turning in a proposal without acknowledging a margin of error of at least 10%. So, first of all, what’s all the chest pounding about other than to impress the natives — my King Kong trumps your Godzilla. Ugh.

Then, I could talk about how utterly worthless large tax cuts would be for anyone other than those folks in the upper 1%. We should create a bunch of jobs in the 50k to 100k annual salary range and warn applicants up front that they’ll be required to pay as much as what they would with the current tax rates. (Obviously, they’ll all hold out for another $500 knocked off the total tax bill.) Then, those jobs create the usual support jobs at the retail stores, etc., and tax money flows back to Washington and it can be re-distributed into the economy to continue feeding the seed jobs until corporate America and small businesses can see a turn around and start hiring and spending again. The tax cut scam is just the on-going ruse to continue to increase the gap between the rich and everyone else. The rich people with any since of morality such as Buffet know this and would not oppose paying more. Only the greediest of the scum want to horde the very money needed to keep our economy healthy and to what end.

By AJC/DNC Management

February 3, 2009 6:41 PM | Link to this

Stop it please, somebody make it stop!-

{{{{President Barack Obama, and his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, read to second graders at Capital City Public Charter School in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009. The Obamas read ‘The Moon Over Star’ by Dianna Hutts Aston.}}}}

So check it out, when Obama was the one getting bombed, instead of the World Trade Center, he goes and reads “My Pet Goat,” while all around him hopeandchange.duh burns.

Bwahahahahahahaha, ow!

~~~~~

{{{{This was an executive order that forbade federal government money from going to overseas family-planning groups that provide abortions or offer abortion counseling. Fifty-eight percent of Americans disapprove of Obama’s decision to lift this ban, while only 35% approve of it.-Gallup}}}}

Aahhh, yes, only 35% in the kingdom of hopeandchange.duh approve of the butchering of babies.

Huh, maybe America isn’t as shot out as I thought.

By Chad Harris

February 3, 2009 6:42 PM | Link to this

ACORN is the delusional boogy man for all wingnuts like Andy to scapegoat it as the reason they lost elections when study after study has shown that ACORN itself has been responsible for less violations than anyone has fingers on either hand in history. And the 25 state effort by Thugs to voter supress was defeated in each and every state including Handel in Georgia although she’s so stupid she doesn’t know that she was defeated in the 3 Judge Panel’s decision on her data bases.

And before anyone gets legally confused, Handel did win in the Eleventh Circuit a couple weeks ago, (so far) on the voter ID (two different issues) but that decision can still be appealed if Emmet Bondourant thinks he can distinguish it from the S. Ct. opinion the Elevent Circuit adopted.

Appoint and Confirm Dr. Howard Dean Secretary of HHS

Watch it happen!!!

By AJC/DNC Management

February 3, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this

Anybody wanna bet that Daschle no longer has a Health Care Industry provided limousine service?

ew

By RW-(the original)

February 3, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this

Looks like Hollywood just lost it’s pork

getalife,

What’s up with Vitter being the only Republican voting to keep the Hollywood money in the bill?

By Class of '98

February 3, 2009 7:08 PM | Link to this

“The rich people with any since (sic) of morality such as Buffet know this and would not oppose paying more.”

Is there something stopping Warren Buffett from simply stroking a check to the US Government for a few Billion?

They accept donations too.

As usual, Dems can’t wait to spend other people’s money.

By Paul

February 3, 2009 7:09 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer

What’s the old saying? “A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you’re talking real money!” If the small percent ain’t that big a deal, one could wonder why House Democrats wouldn’t’ just chuck it in the interest of Pres Obama’s bipartisanship?

I’m gonna be out for most of the evening, but I hope this gets wide play.

Remember all the epithets hurled at Chief Justice Roberts when he flubbed the Inaugural oath? All the questions about his intelligence, what do you expect from a Republican, etc etc etc.? Even the later put-down by VP Biden, who knocked it off when he got a none-to-pleased glare from Pres Obama?

Well, seems Monday VP Biden was doing the ceremonial swearing in of Secretary of State Clinton (the official swearing in had been done earlier).

VP Biden was prepared. He had the oath written on a card. He held the card, read from it…. and screwed it up.

Okay, everyone with the Justice Roberts comments: care to repeat them, substituting “Biden” for “Roberts” and “Democrat” for “Republican”? C’mon! Get in the spirit of bipartisanship!

Link: VP Biden Flubs Swearing-In

By AmVet

February 3, 2009 7:12 PM | Link to this

What about Bill Frist, MD?

He could diagnose the problems with HHS from hundreds of miles away.

And it won’t even cost the GOP a Senate seat.

By Morningstar

February 3, 2009 7:13 PM | Link to this

By Paul February 3, 2009 6:01 PM This isn’t about what’s good or worthy. Everything listed is good or worthy to someone. It’s about what can jump-start, stimulate (pick a word) the economy to get us out of the recession.

GoodGarshAlmighty, some kinda common sense exhibited here. What’s the world coming to?

By Chad Harris

February 3, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this

I am strongly against the Obama stimulus plan and I was against the reprehensible massive hemorrhage of our money called TARP.

What I’d like to know though, is how many of you Republicans with whom I agree as to opposition for the bailouts although I might have different ideas as to how to stimulate the economy were jumping up and down during the 12 years of Phil Graham and the systemic deregulation climate that existed in Washington and Congress up until late October 2008?

I think both sides of the aisle looked ridiculous approving TARP, but let’s make no mistake—the Thugs had the Committee Chairs in Congress through 2006.

By Midori

February 3, 2009 7:29 PM | Link to this

Morningstar,

the thing that I like about Paul is his abundance of common sense.

however, sometimes the wingnut in him does come out to play :)

By AmVet

February 3, 2009 7:43 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer,

Buffett is one of the good guys. Financially smart as hell, humble and ethical to boot. An oxymoron in today’s culture. And that annoys the h&ll out of the neo-cons and apologists.

Now HeadRush, here you have a humorous ignoramus and GOP King Maker who has prattled on for years about freeloaders, welfare queens and people getting something for nothing.

The man clearly is a visionary, so why not offer to start paying the people back for the public airwaves he’s been using for nothing for decades?

I mean the freeloading clown makes more money than A-Fraud. (Hat tip Joe Torre.)

You know, be a trend setter for economic justice, instead of just a lardass hypocrite…

By Taxpayer

February 3, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Who knows. Maybe they will chuck that 2% in the interest of reaching out to Rush’s Republicans (they’re the political analogue of Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders) now that they know what all the hoopla was about. That 2% could just as easily be skimmed off the edges of other projects without anyone even raising an eyebrow and all they need to do is change the titles on a few projects to make them a little more generic.

As for the bloopers, I don’t recall participating in that but if I did then I would have no problem applying it to other tongue-twisted individuals regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, party affiliation, etc.

By AJC/DNC Management

February 3, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this

Well, well, the hits just keep on coming, don’t they?

{{{{Recount trial: Minnesota Judges rule thousands of ballots can be considered. After today’s ruling by the panel, Coleman legal spokesman Ben Ginsberg said, “We’re thrilled.”- Star Tribune}}}}

bwa

By Class of '98

February 3, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this

Rush has been using the public airwaves for “nothing for decades”?

Are you accusing him of not paying taxes? When did he become a Democrat?

On the contrary, Air America used the airwaves for nothing, only because they made no profits to be taxed, lol.

By Paul

February 3, 2009 7:53 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer

Roughriders as Limbaughites? Augghhh!

I was just havin’ a bit of fun with the oath flub. Hey, people are human, mistakes happen. No big deal. Thank heavens VP Biden has a sense of humor. You can bet he’ll make light of it later… and gift us with another gaffe!

Really, all I wanted was to see getalife type “Karma.”

Midori

And I enjoy your passionate advocacy. You’d make a heckuva criminal defense attorney (and no, that’s not the wingnut in me giving the wingnuts a chance to say “yeah, she would, defending all those Democrats…).

Have a meeting to get to. Just as soon as I get these cuffs off…

Pleasant evening, all -

By RW-(the original)

February 3, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this

In order to avoid future embarrassment, the Obama Administration has announced the creation of the “1040 SLEE-Z” form for current and potential members of the Obama Administration.

By Bud Wiser

February 3, 2009 7:59 PM | Link to this

Just released: 62% of Americans oppose House stimulus package, think that will matter?

72% believe some kind of package is needed, but do not know what. (they are the same ones who when confronted by a thief such as the government will just open up their wallet and say “here, take what you want, I’m too stupid and lazy to ask why…”)

37% of the people support this package. Just for lack of a more succinct, but factually accurate word, m o r o n s.

17% oppose any package outright. They are currently checking out survivalist camps in the Idaho woods.

Ford sales down 40% from Dec ‘07, GM 42%, Chrysler 55%. The UAW doesn’t give a crap; the hell with American opinion. Maybe that will change now that America is starting to show its opinion of their products at the cashiers’ offices.

Honda and Toyota also down, Kia and Hyundai up; they make cheaper, yet good quality cars - Detroit still wants to give us expensive, made like crap cars, and they also want our taxpayer money to fund their way of life at our expense.

And your Congress and your president is leading the cash train to Detroit.

One plus for Obama today, he took the heat for Daschle’s departure, as he should. He might be thinking right about now that he has by surrounding himself by his friends and ‘buds’, also encircled himself with idiots that cannot do a half-a$$ vetting job for his slate of nominees; either that, or he is the maestro of the idiot patrol now running things. You’d think that as the President of the United States, he would have at his fingertips the resources to check out these tax cheats and scratch them before they go public.

But alas, he did not.

Duh.

But, at least he admitted as much, so I guess that’s a good thing, if you consider selecting no less than 3 people to be considered for Cabinet posts that were tax cheats a good thing.

Here is the change you can believe in - a warmongering President morphs into a bumbling, stumbling circus clown … or did we not just lose that guy recently and put in a new and improved version of the same old thing?

Duh.

By Mitch

February 3, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this

Rahm Emanuel will never let Obama nominate Howard Dean for Sec of HHS. Emanuel is to Obama what Rove was to Bush, his political brain.

By jewcowboy

February 3, 2009 8:02 PM | Link to this

Class of ‘98,

I’m sure Rush paid sales tax on all that Viagra he had with him when he was coming back in the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in 2006. Or at least whomever was the presription holder did, since it wasn’t his prescription he was caught with.

By AJC/DNC Management

February 3, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this

Somebody make it stop, please, please, I can’t take it anymore!!!

{{{{Can Portland’s Gay (democrat) Mayor Survive a Scandal? In 2007, Ball hinted that Adams’ mentoring relationship with a former legislative intern, Beau Breedlove (now 21), was, in fact, a sexual one that had begun when the ————->young man<—————- was just —————->17<—————-.}}}}

Well now, at least he didn’t email the kid, bwahahahahahaha, ow!

That hurt.

By Bud Wiser

February 3, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this

Which brain do you suspect dominated Bill Clinton’s destiny, Mitch?

By AmVet

February 3, 2009 8:12 PM | Link to this

Nice comprehension skills 98.

Why do you bring up a different topic, taxes, at all?

Yes, like everyone else, he has been using the public airwaves for nothing.

They rightfully belong to the sovereign people.

Do you understand this?

Can you grasp the concept that they are rightfully ours?

Do you get that “we the people” use to own our own natural resources, intellectual property and assets?

And that they have been consistently given away by gutless, paid for politicians who don’t even charge the renters rent on our behalf, may be utterly lost on you, but not on me.

Start with the Radio Act of 1927.

Then read about your boy Bush and Ron Powell (Colin’s goofy son who ran the FCC) who after 9/11 gave 21 broadcast companies a green light to sell off a slice of the public airwaves and pocket billions of dollars that would otherwise have gone to the U.S. Treasury.

That’s you and me, 98.

Not guys who make millions off of the gullible Republiconned with Excellence in Bedwetting diatribes, lies and sophomoric nonsense.

Educate yourself and quit advocating for corporate welfare freeloaders.

By Taxpayer

February 3, 2009 8:13 PM | Link to this

Amvet,

People such as Rush would likely sell their children for a hamburger today. But wait, that’s precisely what he’s proposing with his latest round of rants for more tax cuts for the wealthy to be paid for up front by borrowing more from communist China so that the little guy can pay for it on the installment plan with interest. Of course, his clueless listeners just soak up those lies of riches at the end of everything yellow that trickles down and lap it up as though they had just won a free ticket for the lottery. Then again, that strategy worked for Zell Miller. Some people will buy anything as long as the sales pitch is done properly. What’s that saying about a sucker being born every minute.

By jewcowboy

February 3, 2009 8:15 PM | Link to this

AmVet,

Well, what can you expect from those corporate welfare queens.

By Class of '98

February 3, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this

Gee AmVet, how many millions of dollars does Rush have to send to the IRS before you accuse him of using the airwaves for “nothing”?

I’m not saying the airwaves aren’t public, I’m saying he doesn’t use them for “nothing”.

Oh, and you can “grasp” this right here.

By Bud Wiser

February 3, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this

Jay, why not hire ACORN to do th census, they’re already getting paid.

Maybe we’ll end up with 6 billion ‘citizens’, kind of like China, eh?

What do you want to bet that 5.4 billion of them would be registered as well as ‘democrat’ voters?

Hahahahahaha

By Sam

February 3, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this

Yes Chad the “Thugs” did have the committe chairs until 2006. But remember GW Bush was the one at least trying to reign in the excesses of Fannie and Sallie. But it was the likes of Barney “Rubble” Frank (who was trying to help his boyfriend), Christopher Dodd (who STILL has not revealed the documents he promised), Chuckie “Schmuckie” Schumer, “Little” Dick Durbin, and Dianne “Franken” Feinstein (and her crook husband) who effectively killed any attempts to reform Fannie and Sallie—How do you like that for name calling. Get your facts straight too while your at it. BTW, Dr. Frist would be far more effective than Dr. Dean—now that would be a true sign of bipartisanship.

For Jay, in the midst of the outrage over Obama’s poor and amateur decisions of his first weeks, I love the way you distract the attention to the Republicans to cover up for “the Chosen One”.

Finally, why is it that uber rich Democrats who wants to raise taxes on “the rich” have such a hard time paying their own??

By rcs

February 3, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this

Has anyone seen this so called ‘hit list’ anywhere besides CNN? If so, please provide the link to the actual list that was put out by Congressional Republican leaders. I can’t find it on abc, nbc, fox, nytimes or wsj. The CNN version looks like a bad cut and paste job. I have a feeling there’s more than meets the eye.

By DB, Gwinnettian

February 3, 2009 8:55 PM | Link to this

“VP Biden was prepared. He had the oath written on a card. He held the card, read from it…. and screwed it up.”

In front of two million people?

You’re reaching, Paul.

By Ackmed

February 3, 2009 9:07 PM | Link to this

Greetings fellow jihadists-

Today, I am in sunny Cuba, waiting at the bus stop near Gitmo so that I can pick up thee Iman, who thee blessed Oblahmi said will be released soon.

It is a wonderful day in thee Pakistani, we have missed thee Iman so much! It seems so long ago that he taken from us, the wicked crusader army captured him in thee cave and said that he killed all sorts of men, women and children, they are such liars! He only killed women and children, scout’s honor. We are in short supply of men here in thee Pakistani, ever since evil Bushie turned out to be a war monger and not the coward that Has bin laden, peace be upon him, said he was.

Anyway, many, many goofy Americans have whined and moaned for thee Iman to be released and thee Oblahmi has said that he will do this one his very first day. What I am wondering now, what is taking so damn long? I thought thee Iman and his fellow cut throats were being tortured and the hopeandchange.duh would set him free, so that he could tell us to blow ourselves up again?

Why must we wait so long, blessed sheik Oblahmi?

Why will you not share your wisdoms with us who wait so patiently here at thee bus stop?

I’m beginning to wonder if my fifty votes for you might have been wasted.

Please, gracious and all knowing Oblahmasan, deliver the Iman to my sore as-s, or I will tell thee Gallup that I disapprove of your job performance.

Do I have to call Code Pinko again?

Snap to it, loser!

Allah akbar!

Yes we can!

By JohnnyTide

February 3, 2009 9:08 PM | Link to this

Like George Wallace said 50 years ago, there’s not a dimes woth of difference between to two parties.

By RW-(the original)

February 3, 2009 9:09 PM | Link to this

ragger,

Are you real or are you some sort of Democrat apologist bot?

By getalife

February 3, 2009 9:12 PM | Link to this

RW,

Another Hollywood prostitute black mailed him with that diaper thingy.

Another campaign promise kept. Said he would admit mistakes and would be held accountable.

Change.

By Chad Harris

February 3, 2009 9:21 PM | Link to this

Mitch—

I haven’t drilled what I hear is bad blood between Rham Emanuel and possibly Obama and Dean who would in a lot of physician’s humble opinions make an excellent HHS Secretary.

Just for kicks

Who is it that you think the Republicans trust enough to get them to vote in favor of tens of thousands of Americans not dying???

Because right now, they can’t get the meds and care they need early on in the courses of their diseases so they don’t become public financial burdens at a far advanced disease stage and at an economic cost that has risen parallel to the amount that their clinical condition has deteriorated? Who would that Republican HHS individual be? I watched Bill Frist MD’s plan in the Senate kill people faster than an embryonic cell Ca. I watched Mike Levitt a politician with no medical experience whatsoever run HHS into the ground.

By oldmac

February 3, 2009 9:27 PM | Link to this

You’re headline tells it all, shouldn’t it read more like “Stuff the Dems tried to sneak past into the stimulus?” Oh, I forgot, AJC rules would never allow that.

JN

By getalife

February 3, 2009 9:35 PM | Link to this

BTW, did you see who is running against Vitter

No other than porn star Stormy Daniels from Baton Rouge, La.

She got my vote.

By Sam

February 3, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this

Chad, I’ve posted this before. You lament that the US spends more money on healthcare but we have only “average” results among developed nations. Yet you and other liberals want to “overhaul” healthcare, despite the fact that BY FAR, the US has been the hotbed of the latest innovations and advances (which in my opinion, is motivated by-yes, money and capitalism). Yet, you want to throw more money at the problem and “overhaul” the healthcare “mess”.

Fair enough. Yet in education, we spend an avg of $10,800 per public student compared to $6500 in the rest of the developed nations and yet we still only get avg results at best. Where is the howling from the libs about “overhauling” the education system to solve the education “mess”. Such hypocracy.

Point is, throwing good money after bad does not solve complex problems.

Oh and before you spread more of this 48 million uninsured Bull$hit being force fed to the public. If you subtract from that number: the estimated 12-25 million illegal aliens (whose healthcare should be the responsibility of their home countries), the millions of low income people who CURRENTLY QUALIFIY for M-caid but are either too stupid or lazy to know), and the millions of young “health” adults who don’t have insurance b/c they would rather have the latest iPhone than affordable health insurance for healthy individuals—the true number is 12-15 million who are truly “uninsured”. It’s still a big number and still a big problem, but not what the socialists like Jay and his ilk would have us believe.

By Greg Mendel

February 3, 2009 9:42 PM | Link to this

After a while — reading this blog, other blogs, and following the news — one understands that Republicans don’t like to pay taxes. Money is sacred. They like stuff like cell phones and roads and being able to eat food without being poisoned by hard-working capitalists distributing poisonous food — but they want everybody else to pay for NASA and the FDA. Mostly, they hate the thought that some welfare mom (working three jobs) who gets $200 a month, gets a dime of their money. They hate the reality that nobody on welfare lives high on their buck, if at all.

With Republicans, it’s all about their money, their taxes. (Nobody but Republicans pay taxes, or even earns money.)

Well, how about this? Republicans are excused from paying taxes.

In return, they have to have tattooed on their foreheads: “Handout Deadbeat Shirker.” That way, they can be properly recognized in parking lots for wussing out on supporting the troops they insist on getting killed and maimed in their recreational wars, giving everybody’s money to incompetent bankers, laughing as the climate changes for the worse, and ruining a perfectly good country by electing Ronald Reagan and two Bushes.

Do I hear a second? Or just another round of carping and whining from people who loved the last eight years up until their chickens came home to roost on their heads and flock up the country?

By AJC/DNC Management

February 3, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this

Oh please, I’m serious, I can’t take anymore of this-

{{{{India has warned US President Barack Obama that he risks “barking up the wrong tree” if he seeks to broker a settlement between Pakistan and India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.}}}}

Bark, bark.

Bwahahahahahaha, ow!

By AmVet

February 3, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this

I’m not talking about the IRS.

I’m not talking about HeadRush’s income tax.

I’m not talking about Social Security or a high speed train to Macon.

And 98, I don’t roll that way…

I don’t profess to be an economist but how does $335 million in STD prevention stimulate the economy?

Oh! Stimulus! I thought they said Syphillis.

Blame Obama if you will, but this is one helluva collective mess we’re in.

And let’s face it, no politician yet, even the greatest of orators like Reagan and now BHO, has had the stomach to fundamentally change the entrenched, corrupt culture of Washington.

He will not seek real economic justice. As in widespread prosecutions. But I can hear it now; Oh how the faithful and interested would scream about witch hunts. Besides the biggest crooks KNOW we’re suckers to never elect anyone with that kind of courage.

Because we don’t have it ourselves. We’re hard workers. We’re a damn good people and we’ve created and nurtured the greatest system in the history of man. But we ain’t got that kind of courage.

As evidenced when the President in his inauguration speech spoke of “our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age”.

So its bidness as usual. And in spite of the lofty rhetoric no one takes big risks or really tries different approaches. Everybody and his Alaskan cousin clamoring for a piece of the pie. 10,000 PACs and 35,000 lobbyists.

Just keep keep believing in fictional fixes and hoping that throwing money in a hole is the answer.

And to me it is ironic that the aforementioned Mr. Limbaugh, apparently among many other enlightened men, thinks Ralph Nader, Ron Paul and ANYBODY else who isn’t a member of the American Politburo and who don’t really believe in business as usual, his way, are wackos.

By Paul

February 3, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this

DB 8:55

[[In front of two million people?]]

What’s audience size got to do with it? If anything, it’d give Justice Roberts more of an excuse - millions on hand, millions viewing = nervous factor. VP Biden, however, had nearly no one watching.

But as I said, I was just havin’ a little fun. No big deal. Biden’s gonna be a gold mine for Fun in the Future.

I still would’ve liked to have been able to read his mind when it happened, though…. or been a fly on the wall to hear the razzin’ Pres Obama gave him…

Isn’t it nice to laugh at stuff like this instead of hurling partisan invective?

RW-(the original)

That new 1040 form got me thinking - all the commercials that would fit the nominees soundtracks -

(Sgt Shultz from Hogan’s Heroes) “I know nothing, nothing…)

(Life cereal kids) “Mikey did it” (blame it on the accountant)

(Someone here who shall remain nameless, wife on their honeymoon) “Hey, it’s no big deal”

By Paul

February 3, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this

getalife 9:35

Some link. I think you’d vote for her even if she were a Republican….

By Paul

February 3, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this

Letterman Alert For Tonight:

“David Letterman roughed up ex-Gov. Blagojevich in his interview with him tonight. Here’s the first exchange after his introduction:

DL: “Why exactly are you here? Honest to God…”

RB: “Well, you know, I’ve been wanting to be on your show in the worst way for the longest…”

DL: “Well, you’re on in the worst way.” “

By RW-(the original)

February 3, 2009 10:00 PM | Link to this

I think I’ve just gone into the campaign manager business and Stormy needs a campaign manager. I’ll be setting up shop in Red Stick first thing tomorrow.

By Greg Mendel

February 3, 2009 10:04 PM | Link to this

“Ward, I’m worried about The Corporal.”

By Sam

February 3, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this

To Greg Mendel

Have you been paying attention to the news lately? It’s not the Republicans not wanting to pay their taxes, it’s the super rich Democrats who want to raise more taxes for everybody but don’t feel as if the rules apply to them.

By Greg Mendel

February 3, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this

“Have you been paying attention to the news lately? It’s not the Republicans not wanting to pay their taxes, it’s the super rich Democrats who want to raise more taxes for everybody but don’t feel as if the rules apply to them.” — Sam

Yes, Sam, I have been paying attention to the news. I always do.

Which super rich Democrats want to raise more taxes for everybody? Name them. Name any — even if they aren’t super rich. C’mon, wuss!

By getalife

February 3, 2009 10:19 PM | Link to this

Paul,

I am going to volunteer and work hard on her campaign.

By AmVet

February 3, 2009 10:21 PM | Link to this

Yes getalife, you cajuns are a trip. Very naughty down there.

“Don’t worry dear. I’m sure Wally and Eddie are keeping an eye on him.”

By GodHatesTrash

February 3, 2009 10:26 PM | Link to this

I see Bookman’s RightWingnut Rough-riding Ankle-grabbers are up to their usual poo-throwing.

And squealin’ like lipsticked piggies about Obama.

Bookman, you’re going to have eight years of these kkklowns… enjoy!

By Sam

February 3, 2009 10:30 PM | Link to this

Greg:

Answer, just about every current elected Democrat and former Democrat leaders like: Daschle, Bill Richardson, Geithner, Nancy Kellefer….Should I go on? Jay might charge me for all the extra space!

Wuss? C’mon, you gonna ask me to step outside next? Not very “brotherly” for a peace loving Liberal. Are you mad yet?

By Pete

February 3, 2009 10:30 PM | Link to this

“Make no mistake,” Mr Daschle said in a 1998 debate. “Tax cheaters cheat us all, and the [Internal Revenue Service] should enforce our laws to the letter.” Too funny. If anyone here thinks that Jay will write a column criticizing Dems on this issue, I have some beach property for sale real cheap. In Nebraska (especially for you Chad).

By getalife

February 3, 2009 10:30 PM | Link to this

AmVet,

I have an idea for her campaign rallies. Men in diapers with her “friends” dressed up nice spanking them.

Typical Mardi Gras stuff.

By Midori

February 3, 2009 10:39 PM | Link to this

RW is still a slut.

Once a slut, always a slut.

And he left me with five children to take care of.

What a rat!!!

By Greg Mendel

February 3, 2009 10:45 PM | Link to this

“.Should I go on?” — Sam

Yes, you should. You said “Democrats who want to raise taxes on everybody.” That’s what you said, Sam. Any evidence of their wanting to “raise taxes on everybody?” Any quotes? Any statements?

Obama has promised a tax cut for the middle class. If he — or any other Democrat — has said they want to raise taxes on everybody (which was your claim), please provide evidence.

By RW-(the original)

February 3, 2009 10:52 PM | Link to this

Midori,

I told you those five kids were trick or treaters and you needed to let them go home. You have let them go by now haven’t you?

By Pete

February 3, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this

By Greg: “Obama has promised a tax cut for the middle class. If he — or any other Democrat — has said they want to raise taxes on everybody (which was your claim), please provide evidence.”
He also promised that no one with any ties to lobbyists would be in his Admin. He also ran for president promising to clean up Washington and spoke in his inaugural address about the need for a “new era of responsibility”. So much for your arguement. Using the “lib logic” that Bush lied about WMD, here are 2 blatant lies by Obama. ‘Nuff said. PS Chad just contacted me about my beachfront property in Nebraska

By Greg Mendel

February 3, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this

Pete:

Sam can’t provide any evidence that any Democrat has said they want to raise taxes on everybody. Neither did you.

If Obama “lied” about anything, it wasn’t about WMD. So far, He hasn’t ordered the pointless invasion of another country, plunging America into a $3 trillion hole.

I’m glad you bought beachfront property in Nebraska, Pete. You’re a wise man.

By Chad Harris

February 3, 2009 11:58 PM | Link to this

Which individual do you Rethugs believe is qualified to be Sec. of HHS and is :

a) In favor of keeping well over one hundred thousand Americans from dying each year because they don’t have access to health care

b) saving billions of dollars a year in public funding expenditures because adults and children get to end stage diseases because they don’t have access to health care

c) Might be able to tackle the fact that hundreds of individuals in states like Georgia die each year because they have too long an ETA to tertiary trauma centers—particularly individuals in North Georgia and South Georgia since the Gold Dome boys and girls and Sonny haven’t been able to do so thus far

This will require a little more thought that the total waste of time in calling each other names here that is about 85-90% of the posting activity.

When you spend your entire adult life working with people who are sick it cross your mind.

Any of you aces have names of your nominee for HHS—Joe the Plumber and Sarah the Clown aren’t in the running—

Just wonderin’—

By RW-(the original)

February 4, 2009 12:12 AM | Link to this

{{{{{This will require a little more thought that the total waste of time in calling each other names here that is about 85-90% of the posting activity.}}}}}

Chadly,

Since 98.2% of your posts are mindless name calling and vitriol it’s easy to dismiss you and this post of yours isn’t much different, but buried in your bluster is a decent question about who is qualified to run HHS.

Frankly the qualifications require a skilled bureaucrat that doesn’t necessarily require any medical training. I’ve always laughed off the libs that say John Edwards should run justice just because he’s a trained ambulance chaser and before Dean ran the DNC I would have thought the same of him. He proved he could manage a large and sometimes unwieldy organization so he would probably be a capable choice. Oddly someone to add to your list that has nothing to show they would be capable is Obama himself.

By Frederick Douglass

February 4, 2009 12:28 AM | Link to this

Will someone send a CQ runner to the barracks to check on the Corporal? This blog has gone south without him.

By Chad Harris

February 4, 2009 1:13 AM | Link to this

RWubuyaey—

Your opinion is worthless to me.

As usual you have no ideas or opinion.

The bureaucrat we had did as poor a job as possible.

I don’t know what your particular qualifications are (patient once in a while to understand health care) but again you have said absolutely nothing of value—including the Chadly.

What posts like yours continually reinforce is that your party is never going to see power before you see death.

By RW-(the original)

February 4, 2009 1:27 AM | Link to this

Goodnight Chadly!

On the off chance you really are what you claim please sober up and get some rest before you see another patient.

By dale gribble's GOP

February 4, 2009 1:32 AM | Link to this

AC/DC is like Eddie Haskell without good manners.

By Chad Harris

February 4, 2009 1:50 AM | Link to this

One thing that you can take to the grave is that no physician answers to you.

Further all of the Rethugs can do nothing but pi$$ and moan on some comment thread like children because they know it is hopeless that their party will be in power. And that’s for solid reason.

When you grow up with no ideas and are reduced to continually typing epithets, no one wants you in a leadership position.

21 Rethug governors left in the US

Obama Higher share of the popular vote of any Dem since 1964

Rethugs lost ground in state legislatures in record numbers in the last 3 elections

Gap between Americans IDing as Dems and Rethug higher than anytime in 26 years.

Rethugs here and nationally have no specific ideas for the economic problems.

Rethugs are clinging to provisions to whine about that aren’t even in the bill.

McConnell spent his entire speech today whining about provisions that were taken out of the Stimulus bill.

By BDAtlanta

February 4, 2009 4:09 AM | Link to this

“$650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands” — essentially hiring people to clear brush …”

We can put W to work helping to clear brush….that’s what he is best at anyway.

By Ben

February 4, 2009 5:46 AM | Link to this

A stimulus bill is a moronic concept. You are taking $X from people, then after collection costs, you are spending the $0.5X you have left through government contracts, which means for each job you create, you spend twice as much as the private sector would have, so we’re just throwing away 3/4 of our tax dollars. What would make more sense and not be theft by force is if the government cut the equivalent amount of taxes. That would have 4 times the benefit of their current plan. And yes, the government is taking tax money by force… Just wait and see the guns come out if you refuse to pay long enough.

By Bud Wiser

February 4, 2009 6:26 AM | Link to this

As POTUS, you’d think Obama had the resources to have checked to see if his nominees were tax cheats, at least before he went public with them.

And we thought GW Bush was an idiot…

I see that Doktor Chad has returned. Are you still on the brain implant waiting list, Chadly?

By DeborahinAthens

February 4, 2009 6:55 AM | Link to this

To Sam, who thinks that the healthcare system in the US is so great…obviously you have never been to France. Not only are the French (not to mention the Chinese, the Indians and Padkistanis) more innovative in creating new treatments, medicines and surgeries than we are here in the US, but in France, all of your healthcare is paid for. And by the way, there is no waiting! There is none of the nonsense of coordinating services to comply with arcane healthcare insurers rules. When my son was younger he required corrective surgery for a congenital condition. There had to be a lot of coordination between dentists and oral surgeons. At the beginning of this process, I lost my job. Cobra was only good for a few months. It was a horrific process to get things done before the insurance ran out. It is incomprehensible to me that if someone leaves a job with group health care, and ventures out in the world alone, that his or her health care insurance cost will go up tenfold. Because of this, as more people are losing their jobs, we will see an unprecedented rise of uninsureds in this country. Since public hospitals can’t turn anyone away, I predict more hospitals will fail. And yet you idiot right-wingnuts think this is the “best ” healthcare system in the world. Years later, I had Aetna US Healthcare for health insurance. Sounds good—right? The problem was, that here in Athens, no one would take Aetna because they take their own sweet time paying the healthcare provider. Gee-e-e-esh! Anything is better than what we have.

By gatorboy62

February 4, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this

with Jay there is no reasoning! He defends the democrats regardless of what they propose. The bill is payback straight and simple. Nancy and Harry have been waiting for this day for a long 8 years. Jay of course is on broad, holding his ankles.

By dw

February 4, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

Different subject. The AJC reports someone is going to give $100,000,000 to AIDS research. My research yields the following: don’t stick your penis in someone’s rectum; don’t sleep around; druggies stop sharing needles. That should cut out most of the problem. Research complete, please send me the check.

By tcoach

February 4, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this

Deborah.

Not true about France you do have to wait.

Also important to note that all of those innovative techniques you claim that France has. Well the national insurance would not pay for them as experimental or any type of unproven medical treatment is not covered. These procedures fall under the voluntary surgery portion of the national insurance. Therefor meaning that you the patient would be responsible for the entire cost of the visits and surgeries.

sorry to burst your bubble, but research and talk to people who actually live there or have lived there, instead of trusting what you read on the Internet.

By john j

February 4, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this

Jay, I have noticed a trend in your writings… You continue to talk about the Republicans, even though they have been relegated to the back of the bus. Why aren’t you espousing the glory of the new order and how the Dems have everything fixed already?? This guy can’t even vet a tax cheat before he nominates him. Change we can believe in!!!

By Pete

February 4, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this

Obama Higher share of the popular vote of any Dem since 1964

Between 1964 and 2008, a whopping 2 Dems won the Presidency, and only 1 of those received more than 50% of the popular vote…Carter with 50.1% lol kinda speaks for itself. Chad I accept your generous offer for my property.

With all thy getting get understanding

By US VET

February 4, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this

Everyone in this here forum today has made good points for both causes. What we all seem to miss is this is OUR money they are going to stimulate OUR economy with. Once OUR money is spent we will have to pay taxes on OUR spent money. If you don’t agree then ask why we had to pay taxes on OUR stimulus checks. Regardless of who you voted for, this is OUR money not theirs. Stop whining about which party or president is better and take back OUR country!

By Pete

February 4, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

GREG Sorry man….Chad beat you to it. But thanks for the compliment!

By Native Atlantan

February 4, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this

“Most of the rest of the list sounds pretty solid to me, though.” Jay Bookman, 2/4/09

OMG. Jay, it’s not the just the projects listed…(Maintain Broadband Inventory Map, Water Projects for Indian Tribes, etc.) it’s the amounts! And you think it sounds pretty solid to you???

$9 Billion (That’s with a B) for Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

$6 Billion for High Performance Green Buildings - Federal

$5 Billion for Office of National Coordinator for Health Information & Technology

$3.5 Billion for Green Retrofit Efforts in Federally Assisted Housing

That’s just to name a few of the BILLIONS.

What a joke this STIMULUS is! God help us.

By ATL

February 4, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this

Appears bipartisanship was dead on arrival. The Republicans just can’t stand being out of power and have no interest in moving our country forward on the issues that the majority of Americans that voted for Obama want to see happen. I say, quit messing around with the Republicans and let’s get stuff done with the Dem majority before the mid-term elections occur and it’s too late.

By Native Atlantan

February 4, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this

“Most of the rest of the list sounds pretty solid to me, though.” Jay Bookman, 2/4/09

OMG. Jay, it’s not the just the projects listed…(Maintain Broadband Inventory Map, Water Projects for Indian Tribes, etc.) it’s the amounts! And you think it sounds pretty solid to you???

$9 Billion (That’s with a B) for Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

$6 Billion for High Performance Green Buildings - Federal

$5 Billion for Office of National Coordinator for Health Information & Technology

$3.5 Billion for Green Retrofit Efforts in Federally Assisted Housing

That’s just to name a few of the BILLIONS.

What a joke this STIMULUS is! God help us.

By Fritz

February 4, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this

We should give of ourselves completely to the government so they can determine what the best course of action is. That’s why we elected them - to lead us and show us the best way to accomplish things in our daily lives. To figure it out for us so we don’t have to.

Were the greatest country in the world and the whole world looks up to us and aspires to be like us because were always there for every one giving of and from our hearts. Helping all to reach for the stars and be free - like us.

So please, lets let our esteemed leaders figure this out for us as they certainly know what’s best for all of us in the long run. After all, they’ve led us to become the greatest, most powerful nation that’s ever existed.

Barack and Nancy will get us through this mess. Just give them time. They’ll figure it all out. And pretty soon we’ll all get our little red, white, and blue books containing our shared philosophy - as a united one for all and all for one.

By Pork

February 4, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this

“Someone” (hopefully at the appropriate political levels) needs to go through this bill line by line and be able to defend how it will stimulate the economy (are criteria to do this even established?) and in what time frame. Otherwise, delete it.

In addition, ANY tax deduction/cut should apply to EVERYONE, independent of income, e.g., only for those who make under $XXX,XXX (I’ve lost track of what PresBO is now defining as middle class - 150K, 250K, ??). Where is equal protection under the law …

By What

February 4, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this

Fritz@10:26 — do you actually believe what you write? For all our sakes I hope not… If so, I believe a one-way airline ticket to North Korea, Iran, or to visit Hugo is waiting for you…

By Fred At The Fed

February 4, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

Don’t worry minions. We will inflate our way out of this mess. What’s more debt matter when the existing debt can just be paid with debased currency. Gideon Gono, the Chief of the Federal Reserve in Zimbabwe, has provided an excellent model to follow.

And our monopoly on the money supply with not a hint of “regulation” and declining transparency will make sure this happens. You can’t stop us and you won’t, minions. So get out of our way .

By SL3

February 4, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this

The problem starts with housing and credit. We are going to pay for it one way or another so let’s get on with it. Buy some of the mortgage assets from the banks at a middle of the road price. What, 93% of the folks are paying their mortgage. They can’t be as bad as the morons on the news and the alarmist politicians suggest. Credit will get back on track hopefully with better controls. I think a tax credit for buying a new car is already in the Senate. Next, lower the corp tax rate to be competitive with the world so companies want to stay or come here. Temporarily lower the payroll tax aka social security which would help the folks that really don’t pay income taxes. There are plenty of good stimulus ideas out there. We just need to get focused on the stimulus first and deal with the pork later.

By EJ

February 4, 2009 11:28 AM | Link to this

We should not be stimulating unprofitable and unsustainable businesses.

By doing so, we endanger companies that are profitable and sustainable because they are competing against businesses that should no longer exist. This Is not how Free Enterprise is supposed to work.

By bob

February 4, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this

When Kennedy, Ragan, Clinton and the Bushes cut taxes the revenue to the Treasury increased substantially. The problem has always been that Congress(both dems and Repubs) increased spending by a larger amount than the increased revenues. Spending has and is always the problem.

Also, recinding the ‘Mark to Market” law would immediately help the economy. Forcing banks and companies to take paper losses only makes the situation look worse than it is.