Just what is the message of Obama's stimulus package? I think part of the problem is that he is not selling his plan. Just how does this package help the American public?
We have definitely heard about the negative aspects. Buying birth control pills for the poor, but not providing education or responsibility, providing minimum jobs at high salaries in limited areas, special studies on things like fish populations, which have always been pork projects.
What I do not understand is why the president did not sit down initially with the leaders of both parties of both Houses and say, here are things I know will stimulate the economy, how can you build on them? If all the players had known up front what were the priorities it would have been easier to come up with a plan needing little debate and easy acceptance. Instead, Obama lost control of the game and there is no telling if and when he will regain control.
Yesterday one of my senators, Barbara Mikulski got an amendment added regarding tax on new car sells. Of course I didn't see anything about getting the loan to buy the new car. The Republicans also got a $15,000.00 tax break for new home buyers - again nothing about where you get the loan to make the purchase.
These kind of deals do very little for the overall economy.
Once again I stress - INFRASTRUCTURE !!!
Get Americans back to repairing and building highways, bridges and tunnels. The money for those salaries generates spending in the communities and if projects are approved in all fifty states, everyone profits and the economy gets moving.
Little tax breaks are nice but have little effect. Big projects and big spending is what will get the country moving again.
Its Common Sense!
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Inauguration Security
I saw an article that states there will be approximately 40,000 security personnel present at the Inauguration on Tuesday. Its a mix of law enforcement and military. It is more than all of the troops the USA currently has stationed in Afghanistan.
I find it sad that on this historic moment, whether you like or don't like, voted or didn't vote for Obama, the fact of the matter is that for America to have its first biracial president is a big deal. (The same would be for any first - woman, Afro-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Gay,.etc)
However, the fear of some terrorist attack is overshadowing everything. Unfortunately I think the fear is more from home grown white supremacy groups as opposed to international terrorist at this point.
My hope is that knowledge of all the security will be threat enough and the terrorists will stay home. (Hopefully they won't want to go out in the cold.)
Today it begins with the train ride from Philly. Let's all pray that it all goes well. (We can complain about the expense next week.)
With a new start coming, it is imperative that we communicate with our representatives what we will and will not accept from this new administration.
I will give you some ideas in future editions.
Stay warm this weekend, watch the proceedings, and think what you want the new president to do for you. After all he's our employee - let's put him to work.
Its Common Sense!
I find it sad that on this historic moment, whether you like or don't like, voted or didn't vote for Obama, the fact of the matter is that for America to have its first biracial president is a big deal. (The same would be for any first - woman, Afro-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Gay,.etc)
However, the fear of some terrorist attack is overshadowing everything. Unfortunately I think the fear is more from home grown white supremacy groups as opposed to international terrorist at this point.
My hope is that knowledge of all the security will be threat enough and the terrorists will stay home. (Hopefully they won't want to go out in the cold.)
Today it begins with the train ride from Philly. Let's all pray that it all goes well. (We can complain about the expense next week.)
With a new start coming, it is imperative that we communicate with our representatives what we will and will not accept from this new administration.
I will give you some ideas in future editions.
Stay warm this weekend, watch the proceedings, and think what you want the new president to do for you. After all he's our employee - let's put him to work.
Its Common Sense!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Ask the Senate about the Stimulus Package
After writing the blog yesterday I decided that I should followup and send a letter to my representatives in hopes of getting some answers regarding how the stimulus package will be financed and just what is really going to happen with taxes. A copy of the letter follows.
As always, feel free to use all or any part of the letter to contact your representatives in hopes of getting answers from them.
We need to let those who represent us know we are not sheep who will passively go where ever they say. Our voices need to be heard and our desires respected.
Its Common Sense!
Dear Senator
I understand that on Monday January 5, 2009 President-elect Obama is scheduled to meet with congressional leaders to discuss a stimulus plan he wants waiting for his approval on January 20.
The stimulus package will cost around $800 billion dollars.
Where is the money coming from? Is the plan to increase our international debt? What interest rate will we be paying? What deals will the USA be making with China for the money or at least part of the money?
Then the question about taxes has to be raised. I know President-elect Obama has promised not to increase personal income taxes, but what about other taxes?
I read that both at the federal and state levels the plan is to increase gasoline taxes by at least 50%. Will that kind of increase also be added to electronics, telephones, automobiles, travel, lodging, etc?
We Americans are not stupid. We know the government needs money to run its programs. What we want is an honest explanation as to how the government plans to raise the money.
Do not boast that you did not raise my personal income tax when you raised the tax on everything I buy. A tax is a tax, a tax increase is a tax increase.
Be honest and tell us where and when the increases will occur. Better we pay additional taxes than stay indebted to China forever.
Tell us the plan - the whole plan.
Let's start this new Democratic Administration with a fresh concept - total honesty for the American public. Tell us the truth, let us know what we have to do, what burden we have to accept, lay it all out for us. Forget the lies, forget the smoke and mirrors - honesty - let that be the watch word of the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress.
Now is the time to set the example for the world, show what true democracy really is all about.
Thank You.
Michael Wolfe
As always, feel free to use all or any part of the letter to contact your representatives in hopes of getting answers from them.
We need to let those who represent us know we are not sheep who will passively go where ever they say. Our voices need to be heard and our desires respected.
Its Common Sense!
Dear Senator
I understand that on Monday January 5, 2009 President-elect Obama is scheduled to meet with congressional leaders to discuss a stimulus plan he wants waiting for his approval on January 20.
The stimulus package will cost around $800 billion dollars.
Where is the money coming from? Is the plan to increase our international debt? What interest rate will we be paying? What deals will the USA be making with China for the money or at least part of the money?
Then the question about taxes has to be raised. I know President-elect Obama has promised not to increase personal income taxes, but what about other taxes?
I read that both at the federal and state levels the plan is to increase gasoline taxes by at least 50%. Will that kind of increase also be added to electronics, telephones, automobiles, travel, lodging, etc?
We Americans are not stupid. We know the government needs money to run its programs. What we want is an honest explanation as to how the government plans to raise the money.
Do not boast that you did not raise my personal income tax when you raised the tax on everything I buy. A tax is a tax, a tax increase is a tax increase.
Be honest and tell us where and when the increases will occur. Better we pay additional taxes than stay indebted to China forever.
Tell us the plan - the whole plan.
Let's start this new Democratic Administration with a fresh concept - total honesty for the American public. Tell us the truth, let us know what we have to do, what burden we have to accept, lay it all out for us. Forget the lies, forget the smoke and mirrors - honesty - let that be the watch word of the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress.
Now is the time to set the example for the world, show what true democracy really is all about.
Thank You.
Michael Wolfe
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Obama and racism
When I came on the internet this morning I saw the following article
Poll: Racial views steer some white Dems away from ObamaBy RON FOURNIER and TREVOR TOMPSON, Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Deep-seated racial misgivings could cost Barack Obama the White House if the election is close, according to an AP-Yahoo News poll that found one-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks — many calling them "lazy," "violent," responsible for their own troubles.
I am saddened to see that in the 22nd century we in the United States are still hung up over the color of a person's skin and what their race is. I have never been in favor of applications for anything - be it a job, entrance to a school, a credit card application - that want you to state your race. Recently I have been checking the box Other because frankly its nobody's damn business.
I think Barack Obama is a perfect example of why we need to get away from labeling people by race. First of all, he is bi-racial, African father and Euro-American mother. Why should he be forced to decide what race he is, when in truth he is a combination of the two.
The important thing is that he is an American (I do not know if he is a Kenyan dual citizen), of the required age to be a candiate for the President of the United States. Since he is bi-racial, going by the bigotted method of looking for the worse, then it is true that he would have the worst characteristics of both races. On the other hand, he would also have the best characteristics of both races.
Of course the simple truth of the matter is that he is a man who feels he has the necessary qualifications to lead the United States. John McCain feels he has those same qualifications.
So what we the voters need to do is not worry about their race, nor their age, nor their wives, nor who their vice presidential candiate happens to be.
What we need to do is research their stances on the issues. Currently we know the government is going through a wave of buy out madness. Last figures I saw was 200 billion for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, 85 billion for AIG, and a proposed 700 billion to buy out poor home owner loans. What do Obama and McCain offer to insure that a crisis of this magnitude never happens again? (My parents lived through the Great Depression, I don't want my grandchildren remembering that grandpa lived through the Second Great Depression.)
Next Friday is the first of the presidential debates. Take the time to watch and listen. My father said that a person who did not vote had no right to complain because they didn't even try to make things better.
We have to try and we have to get others to try. Listen, learn, think, decide and vote.
Its Common Sense.
Poll: Racial views steer some white Dems away from ObamaBy RON FOURNIER and TREVOR TOMPSON, Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Deep-seated racial misgivings could cost Barack Obama the White House if the election is close, according to an AP-Yahoo News poll that found one-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks — many calling them "lazy," "violent," responsible for their own troubles.
I am saddened to see that in the 22nd century we in the United States are still hung up over the color of a person's skin and what their race is. I have never been in favor of applications for anything - be it a job, entrance to a school, a credit card application - that want you to state your race. Recently I have been checking the box Other because frankly its nobody's damn business.
I think Barack Obama is a perfect example of why we need to get away from labeling people by race. First of all, he is bi-racial, African father and Euro-American mother. Why should he be forced to decide what race he is, when in truth he is a combination of the two.
The important thing is that he is an American (I do not know if he is a Kenyan dual citizen), of the required age to be a candiate for the President of the United States. Since he is bi-racial, going by the bigotted method of looking for the worse, then it is true that he would have the worst characteristics of both races. On the other hand, he would also have the best characteristics of both races.
Of course the simple truth of the matter is that he is a man who feels he has the necessary qualifications to lead the United States. John McCain feels he has those same qualifications.
So what we the voters need to do is not worry about their race, nor their age, nor their wives, nor who their vice presidential candiate happens to be.
What we need to do is research their stances on the issues. Currently we know the government is going through a wave of buy out madness. Last figures I saw was 200 billion for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, 85 billion for AIG, and a proposed 700 billion to buy out poor home owner loans. What do Obama and McCain offer to insure that a crisis of this magnitude never happens again? (My parents lived through the Great Depression, I don't want my grandchildren remembering that grandpa lived through the Second Great Depression.)
Next Friday is the first of the presidential debates. Take the time to watch and listen. My father said that a person who did not vote had no right to complain because they didn't even try to make things better.
We have to try and we have to get others to try. Listen, learn, think, decide and vote.
Its Common Sense.
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