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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHouse votes to leave in March, return in June
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The state House just voted unanimously to split the 40-day legislative session into two parts, which lawmakers hope will give them flexibility to deal with whatever economic stimulus package comes from Washington.
The House voted 165-0 to meet three days a week through March 25 and then return in late June. The General Assembly is constitutionally required to meet for no more than 40 days a year, although those 40 days do not have to run consecutively.
House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons) said Senate leaders have also agreed to the change, although that body must approve the adjournment resolution before it takes effect.
This, Keen said, allows the Legislature to be “responsive to things that may or may not come down from Washington.”
Congress is debating a $800 billion to $900 billion economic stimulus package, which by some estimates could send $5.6 billion in additional federal dollars to Georgia for education, Medicaid, infrastructure and more.
State lawmakers, meanwhile, are consider an amended budget for the current fiscal year that must find $2 billion in savings, as well as a budget for the year that begins July 1 that seeks even deeper cuts.
Going to a three-day work week — the House and Senate would convene Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — slows down the clock and allows budget writers and Congress more time to figure out what money is available.
“All of us see the news and read the newspaper,” Keen said. “We have worked very hard with the Senate to craft a schedule to let you know where we are but at the same time allow us enough flexibility to respond to what may or may not happen in Washington.”
Committees, especially budget-writing panels, would likely continue to meet on Mondays and Fridays, Keen said.
March 25 would represent the 35th day of the session, under the adopted resolution, and returning June 27 would give lawmakers five full days before the beginning of the next fiscal year July 1.
“If we leave and things change, this will allow us to come back in a five-day period,” he said. “It gives us a lot of flexibility and options in terms of what we do.”
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By nice
February 6, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
nice. typical. why don’t we furlough them until june then.
By Don
February 6, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
Our House and Senate members must take “dumb pills” before each session. No one knows if the stimulus pill ever will pass. This big fat pork bill in Washington may never pass. To split a session in half will solve nothing…..just prolong Georgia’s problems.
By RNT
February 6, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
Why don’t the Republsicans want the stimulus? Why don’t they care about the hurting Georgians who elected them? Why don’t they care that this recession will devastate our infrastructure and our schools if it doesn’t go through?
As a Christian, I am totally disgusted that others who claim to be Christains would turn their backs on those in need.
I am ashamed that I got suckered into voting for the greedy do-nothing Republican from my district.
By Marie Austin
February 6, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
Do they maintain the same salary ? Is this because of economic conditions ?
By atllaw191
February 6, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
FRUSTRATED MUCH WITH THIS DECISION? I, FOR ONE, FEEL EVERY ONE OF THEM IS WORTHLESS TO THE STATE OF GA..WHAT ABOUT YOU?
By Bryan
February 6, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this
They’re simply waiting to see how many welfare checks in the form of ‘tax credits’ the Obama Administration and Congress will be handing out in the coming months.
By Ron
February 6, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
RNT…are you NUTS? The stimulus is hog wash. It needs to be defeated. Out state legislatures need to get spending in check, get rid of non-necessary projects and get the budget in balance with what we have.
Instead of Perdue running the state like a business he needs to run it like a family, a balanced budget which includes savings.
We should not be waiting on the feds to bail us out, we should deal with what we have.
The feds shouldn’t even consider a bail out. THAT Is not their job.
Cut taxes, reduce government and be done with it.
By Jawajedi
February 6, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this
I suppose that remedy is cheaper than calling a special session, and there are many fiscal unknowns from the federal level at this point for the GA to deal effectively with the state budget. Meanwhile, all the state agencies and local governments twist in the wind waiting for decisions to be made.
By jawajedi
February 6, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this
What’s the status of the continuation budget (baby budget)?
By Gary
February 6, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
I guess I’m confused. Are the state elected offices (senate and house) part-time jobs? So how much do they get paid?
By State of Delusion
February 6, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
Wait a minute, now. Georgia is a RED state. That means we don’t support that “spending” legislation, right? So, why is our very Rebubbacan legislature sticking its hypocritical hands out for the money? If you don’t support the stimulus, don’t take the money if it passes. That would show some real character. Georgia Reds, if you honestly believe the stimulus is a bad deal then, grow a spine and let the other states have the money. Let their economies grow and pull yourselves up by your salmonella-tained bootstraps and fix your own problem.
By tomlauerman
February 6, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this
RNT - Instead of being embarrassed about who you voted for, why don’t you choose to take control of your own life and your own personal economy? You don’t need to wait for someone to vote on your own abilities and your own accomplishments. Why even ask the Gov’t to do anything? Less is more, imo. Go to work on yourself and you want have much time to complain about others.
Here’s a hint folks: Government is not here to solve your problems. Government is here to provide defense, promote justice, help keep us safe and provide guidance. The Dem’s are going to be JUST LIKE the Repub’s in that they want more power, more control and more of your Tax dollars. Oh, and they also want your vote. That’s it. They are NOT going to do anything for you that you could (and should) do for yourself.
By why be hateful?
February 6, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this
the constitution limits the session to 40 days, and they’re taking the ‘break’ after 35 days.
there could be a problem if they did the full 40 days and then the federal stimulus could affect some of the decisions made on the state level.
i’m just shocked by the comments at the end of this article. some people are just so full of hate….
By Jeff J
February 6, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this
Our House and the Senate need to get back to work for the people of Georgia. As in the movie Apollo we have a problem and we must base a budget on what we currently have to work with. You can not wait around for Washington to drop $5.6 Billion out of the sky!!!!! What will you do if Georgia’s cut is $0.00 Billion??? If you can not lead get out of the way!!!!!!
By David
February 6, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this
Hey, I’ve got an idea. Let the legislature adjourn now and return in about 50 years when I’m dead and gone. Who needs those bozos.
By Jeff
February 6, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this
Interesting they are meeting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Who wouldn’t like four-day weekends. Our government at work, folks! HA!
By Calvin
February 6, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
As an agnostic Presbyterian and a Buddhist – I don’t believe that those participating in the constitutional exercise of legislating our state laws were predestined to work 40 consecutive days this year…….. because the trillion dollar welfare-stimulus package will not bring us Nirvana ! But maybe something out there will.
By dbk
February 6, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
Yes Gary. Serving in the house or senate is indeed a part time job. There salaries are public record and can be found on the web. However, I can tell you that there salary for this is under 20K a year. The forty days is not all that they serve though. There are also committee meetings that they must attend and obligations that they must meet as well.
By RNT
February 6, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
Ron,
I’m all about cutting taxes - but we tried that alone and the place went to crap. Real leadership gets the people to sacrifice for the good of all WHEN the times dictate a need to do so. People are hurting and my party doesn’t seem to care and it makes me sick. Definately cut the pork - but that’s only about ten percent of what is being offered. Throwing out the baby with the bath water is a sign of someone who only cares about themself - AND THAT IS NOT WHAT THE RPUBLICAN PARTY IS ABOUT!
By P
February 6, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Better yet. Leave and Stay home!
By jawajedi
February 6, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
One example for those willing to learn. If x = federal allocation to corresponding state agency, and u = required state match dollars to qualify for x, and n = state funds needed for services, and t = amount of projected revenue from sources other than feds, and s = emergency funds for natural disaster and/or free-fall of state’s peanut industry;
then N + U + T + S if you think the value of X is simple, and any reasonable budget decisions can be made before Congress decides how, when and in what amounts it will fish or cut bait.
By Bulldawg
February 6, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this
NOBAMA!
By Miller
February 6, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Regardless of your political position, the fact remains that both our state and federal governments isn’t financially responsible. They do not save a percentage of their income. If we spent money like our government does, we would either be broke and homeless, or in jail! This problem did not happen over night and it’s not going to get fixed over night! But spending $920+ Billion, plus another Trillion on the financial bailout isn’t the answer! Just look what WE as taxpayers received from the first $350 Billion…Absolutely Nothing!!!
By Curious Observer
February 6, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Funny stuff. These knuckle-draggers are opposed to the stimulus, but they’re hoping like heck it gets passed so that they can get out of the budget-cutting mess they’re in.
By Sheila
February 6, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
First of all, legislators are part-time. LY, their pay was 17000 per year for their service. Most also continue to work at their primary jobs during the session. I am willing to bet most of them will be working their on Mondays and Fridays. Additionally, the legislators, say in Savannah, where it takes 4 hours to drive, it allows them to have more consecutive days at home.
More practically, if there is a possibility of Federal money coming, it could greatly affect the budget for the state. Wouldn’t you want to see if the 5% taken from education could be replaced? Or if your homestead tax exemption might be reinstated?
I think the only “idiots” here are the ones who don’t understand the process. Take a civics class, people.
By rightofcenter
February 6, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this
Thanks to the legislators - this seems to be a very prudent move. As well as mature and grown-up.
Which is more than I can say for most of the posters on here.
By Jeff
February 6, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
One other comment…Since we can change the Constitution of the State of Georgia to prohibit same-sex marriage, then by golly, we can change it so that our lawmakers can work as many days as needed to get the business of the state done. Who the hell limited their work year to 40 days????
By JR
February 6, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
Why can’t these people work year round? It must be nice to work 40 days a year and get full state pension, health and other benefits. The work to keep the state going can’t be limited to just 40 days.
By Time for real Change
February 6, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
RNT
A spending bill, which is what is in front of the House right now is not and never will be a stimulus bill. I thank every one of the Republicans for looking out for our welfare. For once they have come back and are standing strong to maintain the liberties we have.
If the Democrates want a spending bill, that comes out of the budget and they need to remove programs that dont work before they make other programs that dont work. There is no room for any spending in this bill and until all the spending is out and it is a true stimulus bill, I hope every Republican continues to fight for the rights of the American people.
Dont you know there was not a single yes out of Republicans in the House and even some Democrates said no way on this one. This is one bad bad spending bill on top of the bad economy we have. It will do nothing at all for the people, NOTHING. Before you attack the Republicans why dont you go read the bill and see all the port that this Democratic only bill has and exactly how much of it is earmarked for us. We the people lose on this one big time. Thank your Republicans for standing firm. This bill would be a disaster if ever there was one.
By Jeff
February 6, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
Sheila—$17k per year, which “year” in Georgia means up to 40 days, is equivalent to $425/day. Tack on the nice benefits they get, and the fact that their days are not exactly what I call stressful, that isn’t too shabby. Plus, knowing our good ol’ boys here in GA, I doubt they work many hours considering all of the schmoozing that goes on over breakfast, lunch and dinner parties.
By Bill
February 6, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
Intersting. With all of the financial crisis and people desperately hurting one of the few bills that has been introduced so far this session by the Republicans is a tort reform bill to prevent innocent victims from being able to file a lawsuit when they are hurt by someone’s negligence. What a shameful set of legislators we have. Protect the wealthy and special interests and screw the little guy over and over!!!
By MrLiberty
February 6, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this
Rather presumptuous of them isn’t it? Just assuming that a stimulus package will pass.
Note to legislators - any stimulus will only make things worse, not better. If one has passed by the time you come back, you better spend your time figuring out where all the soup lines will be set up because that is the road our government is taking us down. Just for clarification, I blame both the democrats and the republicans (except Ron Paul).
By Sam
February 6, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
RNT I understand your feelings and I support your point not as a Dem or Repub but as a independent voter. Mr Tom Lauerman everything you wrote is easy to say but near imposable to do when the economy is falling apart.
econ 101: no demand = no supply (workers, cars, homes,families)
I am not sure if any of you die hard Republican supporters read the newspaper or watch the news since you all just want to be left alone/stick your head in the ground.
But real hard working folks who play by the rules and pay their taxes are hurting by the hundreds of thousands everyday. Hurting because of failed Repub ideas and tax cut policies to big corporations/the rich that has driven this country into the ground over the last 10 years. When Pres. Bush requested billions to be spent on another country/non Americans - where were all you Republicans who hate spending so much.
I have news for you responsible Government is here to solve problems we the people can not do individually. If you think you can individually turn this Country around without spending just try it because there will be no workers for your lovely tax cuts.
I wish all of you fear/hate based individuals would just wake up and realize we are all in this together and a great majority of this Country got that point on Nov 04/2008…why cant you?
By Ron
February 6, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
Everyone complained about the money Bush spent, me included. The National Debt went from $5.7 trillion to what we have today, $10+ trillion.
With one signature, one bill, Obama plans a 10% increase to our National Debt in his first few weeks of office.
Is this a sign of what is to come?
I vote no.
The 1st stimulus package was a bandaid. We are worse off. The first bailout failed.
So throw more money at it?
TEN PERCENT OF OUR NATIONAL DEBT IN ONE SIGNATURE
By dtc
February 6, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this
RE: By why be hateful?
February 6, 2009 10:59 AM
It is refreshing to see one beacon of light in a see of otherwise uninformed comment laced with ignorance of the subject they are ranting on. Yours is the virtually the only one that shows an understanding of the process. I do not agree with much that the Georgia legislature does, but in this case, waiting to finalize the next year’s budget until they know the reality of whatever the federal government’s stimulus plan may be makes good sense. Finally they are showing sensitivity to our personal finances by not taking a chance of requiring any more of our tax (the state’s only source of revenue) to fund the programs that must be provided. (And don’t fool yourselves, dear readers, into believing there is enough pork in current budgets to be able to solve the current crisis and still provide you with, let’s see - full time police protection, full access to a license office when you need it, full time protection from natural disasters, roads to drive on — yada, yada, yada - or did you think those ‘rights’ came without financial requirements that YOU must pay???) Off my soapbox.
By RNT
February 6, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this
Time for real change,
You do nothing but echo Rush and O’Reilly, two men who will go down in history as having contibuted the most to the demise of the once great Republican party.
Ronald Reagan would be appalled at what passes today for a Republican. And he’s right - the proof is in the results. Today’s GOP has become infected with rightwing nutjobs who have convinced the electorate that being a memner of the Republican party means one doesn’t have to ‘love thy neighbor’ like it says in The Bible.
Shame
By Ron
February 6, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this
Sam, who gave Bush the permission? Who gave Bush the authority to spend the billions? Just how long have the Dems been in office?
It was both sides fault. I do believe the last administration spent way to much money but so is this one.
Fiscal responsibilty is the only solution.
I am a hard working, tax paying citizen. I lost $14,000 of my pay last year and stand to lose $20k this year. Going from $86k to $52k in two years.
I still vote NO on the stimulus.
By Jeff
February 6, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
Ron—It takes more than just a signature to pass this bill. Come on!
What should make you really angry about the debt spending Bush did is that most all of his spending was spent on wars outside of America and not on or for the American people. At least the current stimulus plan being discussed/negotiated will be spent here in America and for Americans and not in the Middle East on Afghanis and Iraqis. That is a huge difference that you failed to point out.
By DonA
February 6, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
Georgians, Georgians!! What is wrong with you?????
Just Go Fish!
By Disgusted
February 6, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
GA Legislature stands for Gone AWOL apparently. This is about the stupidest story I have ever read. Our legislature is in the State of Stupid. They are lining up to become Socialists! I didn’t vote for this craven cowering handout mentality from our Government. Wake up Americans before we become slaves to our government in a former slave state!
By Larue
February 6, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
Frankly, I think its a great idea. I would rather them do this instead of having to have a Special Session later. This way we, the Taxpayers, don’t pay them for more than the 40 days. A Special Session would require our paying them additional money.
By TW
February 6, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
If the ‘publicans are so anti-big government, why on earth did they push us to the brink of socialism?
Obama wouldn’t be in the position to do ANYTHING had the ‘publican’s not taken such a big crap on the country.
This whole thing rests on GOP incompetence. Hearing them denounce any effort to undo their evils fully exposes them as being more dagerous than bin laden.
Who needs bin laden when you’ve got the GOP?
By Ron
February 6, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this
RNT you are correct, the republicans of today suck.
By your own rules we should not be looking to the Government for help we should be looking to God, no?
Have you prayed about it? What does the Bible say about debt? Would God really want this Country going deeper into debt?
By Ron
February 6, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
Jeff - as you state it takes more than just a signature yet you lay all the Bush spending on Bush.
Which is it? Is it one signature or do all of them take the blame?
There is one signature that can Veto
By Charlie Smith
February 6, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
This is an excellent way to ensure that we have our Legislature available subsequent to any action by the Federal government that may affect Georgia. Kudos to the entire bunch of them, and especially whoever came up with the idea of a split session. It addresses the situation appropriately.
By Sam
February 6, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this
Ron, trust me I fully understand and feel your anger towards the Dems and the Repubs - I agree both groups got us into this mess. However, just focusing on Fiscal responsibility alone at this junction in our economy is flawed. You have to break the cycle and have smart leadership in place that will be fiscally responsible once we have revenue coming back into the economy. You can’t save what you don’t have.
If we don’t interject significant amounts of money into several programs including infrastructure, education and health care within the next 8 months - there is 90% chance neither you nor I will have a job. Repubs like to look back at Pres. Regan and what he did in the 80s but the difference is that now 93% of US families have no savings like they did in the 80s and income generated by families now is significantly less than what it was in the 80s. Plus unlike the 80s the economy has lost over $2 Trillion in job production over the last two years.
You can hate the 2% of what I agree is unless pork in the Stimulus bill but at this moment in our nation I want to fight this econ mess with every option we have available ( tax cuts, fiscal hawkishness, and targeted spending).
By Where Are The Jobs
February 6, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this
Why is very body talking about everthing except getting people back to work? You can cut taxes, but we need jobs to generate taxes. We need jobs so people can feel independent again. The republicans are holding on to false hope. Until we have jobs to go to, this country will go farther and farther in the hole. Wake up, and stop thinking of your party and yourself, show some godness.
By Ron
February 6, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this
Sam - Fiscal responsibilty is the only option. 2% of the bill is still equal nearly $40 billion dollars. How can we let that happen?
We need smaller government, less taxes, fewer entitlements and strike NAFTA.
Just because we have failed to save does not mean the FEDs need to get involved.
The last two years the Dems have been in control of the House and Senate yet everyone wants to blame Bush.
Isn’t this more of the same? Spend Spend Spend? I thought we were getting something differnt.
Just because it is available does not mean it will work, is needed or should be used.
By Redneck1
February 6, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this
Three day work week and four day weekend at the same pay is reasonable only to a politician. Making their job more of a luxury is much more important to them than doing what they were elected to do. If not for all the parties and galas the lobbyists provide for them they would probably vote to do their work from home on the internet and not even travel to Atlanta. Hey…I hope I didn’t just give them that idea.
By BPJ
February 6, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this
Elections have consequences (as Pres. Bush the Lesser was fond of saying), and the party of most of those commenting here lost big time in November. Pres. Obama has been quite open to meeting with Republicans and incorporating some of their ideas into the package. But most Republicans are still pushing the policies that have failed; the “first stimulus bill” several of you refer to was mostly tax cuts - and yes, it didn’t do much.
Since consumers aren’t buying, companies aren’t hiring, and banks aren’t lending (much), and the Fed has reduced interest rates to almost 0%, there is only one option left to halt a recession from becoming a depression. That’s federal government spending on things we need to do anyway, such as infrastructure. The party that ran the country the past several years underinvested in roads, bridges, transit, and the power grid. Spending on those things will create JOBS, which will benefit the entire economy.
Getting back on topic: the General Assembly did the right thing, postponing final decisions on cuts in this year’s budget until we know what stimulus dollars will be coming to Georgia. And I’m amazed that so many people know nothing about our legislature: (a) the idea behind the 40 day session is to avoid having a class of full-time legislators, which would require full-time pay, (b) most legislators have regular jobs, and(c) the legislators I know all work a hell of a lot more than 40 days a year as legislators - it’s more like 80 or more days, when you count committee meetings, meetings with constituents, showing up at neighborhood association meetings, etc.
By Marie
February 6, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
I understand the wish to postpone finishing the budget, however… how are the school systems in the state of Georgia supposed to finalize their budgets? They cannot wait until July to make personnel decisions. Are we supposed to just postpone school altogether?
By Redneck1
February 6, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this
BPJ From the tone of your post I gather that you are a member of the legislature and a democrat.
By BPJ
February 6, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
No, I am not a member of the legislature; I just know the things that anyone who passed high school civics and reads a newspaper should know.
Read a little more carefully and you might notice that Mondays and Fridays are for committee meetings, which is actually where much of the real work gets done (i.e., the days when they are officially “in session” are not the only working days).
Yes, I’m voting mainly for Democrats these days, as opposed to the party that offers nothing but tax cuts for every economic problem, even if it means letting bridges crumble, gridlock increase, health care costs soar, addiction to oil increase, and jobs decrease. I’m not interested in the “big v. small government” debate; I’m just in favor of what is likely to work. Some people have a fundamentalist faith in “small government”, and I know there is nothing I can say to change their minds (just as with other fundamentalists). Most Americans are more pragmatic, and our economic policy preferences are not “faith-based”.
By J
February 6, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this
As a Christian? You’ve missed the point, buddy. As a Christian you are supposed to want to help those in need. Not TAKE and then give to someone in need. That’s the problem with Democrats.
By Ron
February 6, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this
BPJ - You talk about all the tax cuts over the past few years but who has been in control of the house and senate the past few years?
J - Amen
By BPJ
February 6, 2009 4:11 PM | Link to this
The tax cuts were passed when Repubs controlled all branches. (Even McCain said they were too big, and too distorted to the wealthiest.) Democrats are proposing some tax cuts as part of this package, but the items most likely to stimulate the economy, in the opinion of most economists, are infrastructure spending.
And what I said was that Republicans have nothing else to offer, in any economic crisis, except tax cuts - never mind whether they make sense. Oh wait, they do have something else to offer: “less regulation”. Less regulation of banks, hedge funds, credit-default swaps……briliant!
By Ron
February 6, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this
BPJ - I am not a big fan of McCain either.
When is big government, getting bigger a good idea?
How is sending funds to international planned parenting organizations going to help us? They did without the funds for 8 years, couldn’t they make it a few more?
How is the funds going to ACORN and the such that rely on volunteers going to stimulate the economy and create jobs?
How is the $200 million Mall renovation going to produce jobs when the company that currently does this work will be the one to get the funds? How will it sustain jobs once the job is complete?
Only 3% of this bill is going to infrastructure.
Japan responded to a 1990 recession by passing 10 “stimulus” bills over 8 years (building the largest national debt in the industrialized world). Their economy remained stagnant and their per capita income went from the second highest in the world to the tenth highest
By j
February 24, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
It seems funny that there was no republican outcry over the monies that the Bush adm passed out to their rich cronies but now that something is being done to help the common man its now not worth it? Give me a break!
By Go Back to Sleep "j"
February 24, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
j,
If I were following the pied piper named obama, I too would attempt to distract others from his unprecedented spending spree—followed by his laughable promise to “cut the deficit in half” by “going over the budget line-by-line.” Imagine a chronic drunkard—just after a prolonged binge—promising to never drink again.
In one day alone, obama and the Democratic Congress added $27,000 in debt on the head of every family in America. For that, you’ll get $13 returned to you. The messiah’s worshipers don’t even understand why that is a bad deal for job retention and creation. Heck, you can’t even make payments on your 24s with $13.
At their current rate of spending, Prezbo and the Dems will have spent our entire GDP by the end of the year. But I know two things: First, you don’t care as long as you can punish “the rich.” Second, you don’t know what GDP is.
By Sick & Tired
February 24, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
It’s called GREED that’s what got us in this mess. Everyone is to blame. We have to learn how to live within means. It doesn’t mean if we make $50,000 a year we can afford a new $300,000 home and a new car. Our parents did not live this way. It’s all about ME. That’s what got us in this mess. Democrats, Republicans are both to blame. It’s time to stop playing the blame game ( becauce were all to blame). I don’t believe in this bailout for the banks who knew they were making bad loans or the auto makers its hard to buy a auto from someone who makes $40+ an hour when you only make $10. Let them go under. Then they can realize what everyone else lives if you can’t make-it you lose-it.
By j
February 24, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this
“Go back to sleep” That’s $13 more than I got during the Bush Admin! Do you really and truly think that the amount that the current admin has spent is even comparable to what Bush and his cronies have done? You must have Been asleep! You won;t change my thinking and I obviously won’t change yours.
By aushau
February 24, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this
I believe that we all know the source of this problem and that it will be a long row to hoe before it gets to be a better day. America deserves this bed that we have buttered and now must sleep in. You just hated the Clinton’s so much that you couldn’t stand to see Gore elected so he could carry on the progress and prosperity that he would surely bring. The good ole Boys of Greed (Republican Party) who did all they could by lying, cheating and stealing to get the wonder boy W elected at any cost when he should not have been in charge of the Girl Scouts. He has broken the laws as in the tradition of Nixon and this Republican gang has even made Grant’s administration appear as choir boys. If it were up to me none of these Republican led states would get a dime. That hate is so apparent and as plain as the nose on my face. Think about it, had you not put W in power we would not have Obama today. I know that this is a nightmare for many of you haters.
By drjay
February 25, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
By Jeff
February 6, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
One other comment…Since we can change the Constitution of the State of Georgia to prohibit same-sex marriage, then by golly, we can change it so that our lawmakers can work as many days as needed to get the business of the state done. Who the hell limited their work year to 40 days????
i never continue to be amazed by how little people know about those that govern them—it’s 40 days on purpose—if they don’t get it done in 40 days there is a provision for a special session…but that costs money—they are suppose to be part time citizen legislators that go to atl for a couple of months, do the people’s business and then go home—and they are paid as such—if you are a farmer outside of albany or a shopkeeper in darien—it’s not practical to spend an umlimited amt. of time at the capital. if you think 17k is such a great salary, think about how well you would do on it if you had to leave your job behind for months at a time to o the people’s work
By Jim
February 25, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this
If we could cut the 40 days the legislature meets to 20 days, it would save millions and make Georgia a better place to live, work and play. 10 days would be twice as good. I used to be a lobbyist for a governmental agency, so I know whereof I speak. Watching sausage being made is like smelling fresh apple pie compared to talking to our legislature.