Cheap Sales Tactics at Work in the Selling of the “Stimulus”
Senate leaders called off plans to vote on President Obama’s economic recovery plan Thursday night in hopes that a group of centrist lawmakers from both parties would be able to fashion a compromise to cut the cost of the $937-billion bill and win support from at least a few Republicans.
After a long day of behind-the-scenes negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) dropped plans to hold a final vote on the bill as the bipartisan group of centrists worked into the night to trim as much as $100 billion, an attempt to bring moderate Republicans on board without driving Democrats away.
$100 billion off a $937 billion package. If that sounds good to you, then you’re probably the type of person who is impressed when the car dealer says he’s willing to knock $500 off the sticker price.
An Instapundit reader points out another transparent sales tactic: “President Obama’s act now or it will be too late shtick sounds an awful lot like the type of high-pressure sales tactic that the Eliot Spitzers of the world like to bring lawsuits over.” You know, this is the last stimulus package left, and there was a couple in here an hour ago who said they just needed to go home to get their checkbook. But if you say yes right now . . .
Mitch McConnell put $1 trillion in perspective by noting that you could spend $1 million every day beginning with the birth of Jesus, and you still wouldn’t have spent a trillion. That’s a nice point from a big-picture perspective, but I think it makes more sense to illustrate the impact on the little guy.
There are about 138 million taxpayers in the country. A $937 billion package, therefore, amounts to $6789 for every taxpayer.
If they cut it by $100 billion, that brings the total to the low, low price of only $6065 per taxpayer. For a typical family, that’s $12,130.
Twelve thousand dollars per family. That’s the number that may bring the “moderate Republicans” on board.
Who’s paying that? You? Or your kids, with interest?
This is why Michelle Malkin calls this the “Generational Theft Act.” That’s precisely what it is.
UPDATE: $12,130, not $13,130. Yes, I know how to double the number six. Time for more coffee!
Obama is trying to vote present on the stimulus bill. On the one hand, he’s fear mongering the heck out of us, saying the time for talk is over, and we must get something done now. On the other hand, he keeps saying he would like to improve the bill and is open to ideas. How do you improve it if you want people to stop talking and pass the piece of shit.
Obama understands the public’s concerns over the stimulus bill and why it’s popularity is dropping like a rock. He also understands a bunch of the items in there are more properly debated outside the framework of an emergency spending bill. He is expending no political capital or Executive leadership to bring the sides together. He’s making campaign speeches. He’s trying to vote present and avoid the dirty work involved in actually hammering out deals on what stays or goes in the bill. He’s a freaking coward.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:30 amIts all one big con game to load up the Federal budget with new liberal spending programs that will gain a life of their own and have no economic justification in the first place.
SPQR (72771e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:42 amBaracky isn’t acting like someone who has taken on a huge responsibility for sound economic policy. He’s acting like someone who just won the lottery. It’s really tacky I think. Low-class.
happyfeet (71f55e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:46 amKrauthammer said it best: “So much for the president who in his inaugural address two weeks earlier declared ‘we have chosen hope over fear.’ Until, that is, you need fear to pass a bill.”
SPQR (72771e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:52 amAs I mentioned in an earlier thread, it’s political demagoguery at it’s worst. To willingly play havoc with the financial markets at this critical juncture just to get your political legislation passed is the height of irresponsibility.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:57 am$1 trillion in stimulus spending will become $1 trillion + interest in anti-stimulus when it is paid for in the form of increased taxes. When they do decide to collect these taxes, it will not come from the governments receiving funding for government construction pork projects. The money comes from the people, of course. Stimulus to government agencies, anti-stimulus from the people. This is an obscene transfer of money to government.
Wesson (3ab0b8) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:04 amHE PLAYED ON OUR FEARS!!! — Al Gore
Rob Crawford (6c262f) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:05 amObama should realize that he’s not doing a very good job selling his dorkwad dirty socialist plan for the new millenium when he gets called out for being AWOL on by Lindsay Graham. Dude, Lindsay Graham?
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:09 amIf you pass this within the next 20 minutes, because you know we can’t do this all day, you’re gonna get the Graty!
Look, my staff is worn out! Vote yea before midnight tonight!
Pablo (99243e) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:16 amSenators are now trying to shave off about $100 billion from this $937 billion bill. Great. But…the House passed a bill costing $819 billion. By my calculator, that means the price tag has actually gone up $18 billion. Have we forgotten our simple addition? How is this an improvement?
2Cents (1097c8) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:19 amThey were claiming that the thing had to pass right away or we were all doomed. Now they want to delay it so they can bring some Republican fig leafs on board.
The Democrats might be beginning to hope that the Coleman fig leaf prevails in Minnesota.
j curtis (9ec444) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:32 amIf you pass this within the next 20 minutes –
– You get a set of ginzu steak knives
– the Ronco pocket fisherman
But wait there’s more…………
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:34 amTHis will be a big for Republicans, one way or another. I haven’t been too happy with Peggy Noonan lately but she gets it right today.
On the economy, I continue to find no one, Democrat or Republican, who has faith that the stimulus bill passed by the House will solve anything or make anything better, though many argue that doing absolutely nothing will surely make things worse by not promising at least the possibility of improvement through action.
Meanwhile, the inquest on President Obama’s great stimulus mistake continues.
His serious and consequential policy mistake is that he put his prestige behind not a new way of breaking through but an old way of staying put. This marked a dreadful misreading of the moment. And now he’s digging in. His political mistake, which in retrospect we will see as huge, is that he remoralized the Republicans. He let them back in the game.
Mr. Obama has a talent for reviving his enemies. He did it with Hillary Clinton, who almost beat him after his early wins, and who was given the State Department. He has now done it with Republicans on the Hill. This is very nice of him, but not in his interests. Mr. Obama should have written the stimulus bill side by side with Republicans, picked them off, co-opted their views. Did he not understand their weakness? They had no real position from which to oppose high and wasteful spending, having backed eight years of it with nary a peep. They started the struggle over the stimulus bill at a real disadvantage. Then four things: Nancy Pelosi served up old-style pork, Mr. Obama swallowed it, Republicans shocked themselves by being serious, and then they startled themselves by being unified. But it was their seriousness that was most important: They didn’t know they were! They hadn’t been in years!
Pretty good. Like the Congressional Republicans, she seems to have learned something.
Mike K (2cf494) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:51 amThat was supposed to big day. I have a new MacBook with a touch screen that selects things all by itself.
Mike K (2cf494) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:52 amThe economic legislation that really should be passed is H.R. 833, a bill “To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act, and for other purposes.”
Official Internet Data Office (46b165) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:55 amHow could I have made such a big mistake?
It was the Popeil pocket fisherman!
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:00 amYou could add in some ShamWow! handwipes while you’re at it – quite useful for this bill’s entrails.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:13 amBilly Mays Rap remix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tyct9l-fD8
Obama should make him his press dude.
Techie (6b5d8d) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:52 am“Who’s paying that? You? Or your kids, with interest?” Our monstrous debt (even without the currently debated spendulus) will never be paid in full, except perhaps with wildly inflated worthless dollars. The most likely outcome now is a USA default. Someday soon, the ratings agencies are going to lower the quality rating on US debt a notch, and then you are going to see what a true economic catastrophe really looks like!
gp (72be5d) — 2/6/2009 @ 10:05 amI trust that “moderate” Rethuglicans will not strive to do make any significant cuts to ACORN’s billions in payback. This country needs a reincarnation of Hillary’s health care plan, a new FDR-like series of mandates and don’t forget to throw in some measure of the past with those liberal lions LBJ and Jimmy Carter.
aoibhneas (0c6cfc) — 2/6/2009 @ 10:11 amI don’t think gp is overstating it really. Baracky has no clue at all. I really don’t think they tell him very much.
happyfeet (71f55e) — 2/6/2009 @ 10:32 amThe merits of the stimulus package are debatable. But I am not sure why the package is being called intergenerational theft while the Republican tax cuts (which were of similar magnitude albeit spread out over a few years) were not. I imagine the argument will be that the tax cuts spurred growth and thereby ameliorated their effects on the deficit. The same can be said for the stimulus too. The federal government will receive a sizable portion of the stimulus back in the form of taxes, although certainly not all. I like the fact the fact that Republicans have refound their fiscal religion. I just wish they had not lost it eight years ago.
Hi Patrick!
mvatty (99d646) — 2/6/2009 @ 10:51 amIt’s not the stimulus, mvatty it’s BARACKY’S stimulus! Say it LOUD and PROUD! It’s him’s very firstest economic policy thingie. Yay!
happyfeet (71f55e) — 2/6/2009 @ 11:08 amCall the four R wobblers – lines are busy but keep trying! Collins (202) 224-2523 Snowe (202) 224-5344 Voinovich (202) 224-3353 Specter (202) 224-4254. Also call the RNC and voice your opinion on this crap sandwich. If the dems want it so bad, let them own it.
LASue (29a0ac) — 2/6/2009 @ 11:21 amObama is getting played in a major way by the Democrats in Congress. Even if he has a clue how bad this huge pile of junk is, he has no clue of how to fix it. His only tool is the veto, and he’s not going to veto this pile.
Wesson (3ab0b8) — 2/6/2009 @ 11:46 amOK, let’s assume that the porkulus bill is passed and signed into law. Anyone who understands anything about the infrastructure projects knows that you don’t sign a bill in February and start building bridges in March. March of 2010, perhaps.
As the Democrats tell us that this is urgent, because unemployment rose so greatly last month, we should realize that many of the projects in this bill are projects which cannot start for a year or more.
Something I haven’t seen much about is what borrowing nearly a trillion dollars more will do to interest rates, and how that will effect businesses which need credit to either open or continue operating, or potential homebuyers looking at whether they can afford a mortgage.
The hard-hat Dana (3e4784) — 2/6/2009 @ 11:58 amDemocrat Enzyte for the economy.
They also have some nifty watches. An oil minister’s widow in Nigeria is funding the whole thing.
Tully (c2f070) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:04 pmI called my centrist Senator Voinovich and voiced my dissent for the budget buster bill. Thanks for putting the number up there. It was a 3 minute wait on hold before I could talk, so it isn’t too bad.
Definitely, people call in and definitely be polite.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:10 pmOne could amend Instapundit’s remarks, how about “President Obama’s act now or it will be too late shtick sounds an awful lot like the type of high-pressure sales tactic that the [Paulson’s] of the world like to use [to sell bailouts of their friends in the financial industry”]
or this?
“President Obama’s act now or it will be too late shtick sounds an awful lot like the type of high-pressure sales tactic that the [George Bush and Dick Cheney’s] of the world like to [use to sell trillion plus dollar military adventures in oil rich countrys]
Instapundit is right of course but you gotta admit that those high pressure sales seem to work!
Peggy Noonan via Mike K seems pretty on target too.
EdWood (c2268a) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:13 pm“shtick sounds an awful lot like the type of high-pressure sales tactic that the [Paulson’s] of the world like to use [to sell bailouts of their friends in the financial industry]” When W (and many Republicans) succumbed to the Paulson Panic in Sep 2008, that was the point of no return. It was the most significant event of our lives, probably causing more damage long-term than even 9-11.
gp (72be5d) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:21 pmThe fundamental problem was the housing bubble and the debt splurge that followed. The collapse left many large banks with assets that could not be valued or sold. The previous situation like this was the S&L bailout in the early 90s where the feds actually made a little money on selling the assets eventually. MY ex-wife worked on that and she is working again on some of these bank liquidations. One problem now is that the banks are not being liquidated, only some of their assets, so how do you value them ?
One way to do this is to buy the troubled assets at some lower price but how do you set the price ? It looks like we did a poor job of valuation the first time, paying too much by 50% last fall. None of this has anything to do with what is in the present bill. They have the next TARP bill ready to present next week. This should be dropped and the more important TARP II should be taken up and debated.
MIke K (f89cb3) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:41 pmgp-
It almost looked like “we the people” were going to harangue congress into NOT passing the financial bailout too… but the first time it didn’t pass was apparently just a negotiating tactic to get more pork into the bill.
We all definitely found out who pulls the levers in the country that day. I was proud to say our Senator did not vote for it but then again his district is so exceptionally gerrymandered that he is basically a senator for life so he can afford to stand on principle.
EdWood (c2268a) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:50 pmLA Sue, thanks. I got through to Senators Collins and Snowe. Still trying on the others.
I’m mentioning too that I’m waiting to write my next donation check to the Republican National Senatorial Committee, based on how the Senate handles this. It helps substantiate requests outside the district.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:51 pmThe RNC : (202) 863-8500.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:52 pmAren’t the democRATS now arguing that “…(A)ny and all government spending is a stimulus”?
Which makes all the GWOT spending that we have been doing, in effect, a “stimulus”…right?
So, democRATS…we have been, in your words, “stimulating” quite a bit based on the volume of your caterwauling…
…and the GWOT spending “stimulus”, which will be exactly like the The Messiah’s proposed stimulus (spending is spending, is spending, right?)helped…how?
MJN1957 (6e1275) — 2/6/2009 @ 12:53 pmThe National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC)
Telephone: (202) 675-6000
Senator John Cornyn
Chairman
http://www.nrsc.org/about/
—————————————–
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is the only political committee solely dedicated to electing Republicans to the U.S. Senate.
The NRSC provides invaluable support and assistance to current and prospective Republican U.S. Senate candidates in the areas of budget planning, election law compliance, fundraising, communications tools and messaging, research and strategy.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:00 pmDuh: $12,130.
Patterico (ae31b0) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:00 pmRepublican leaders are offering the same failed economic strategy that brought us this recession. Stop the talking points. Contrary to what Rush says, this veteran believes in country first. President Obama has opened the door for all to participate in leading the country forward. Working as one nation under the leadership of President Obama, we can lead the world out of this global economic crisis.
Terece (6884e7) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:02 pmTerece, your comment is without any substance. You cannot rationally ascribe the current recession to “Republican” policies. The housing bubble, the structural problems in the mortgage backed securities market and the resulting credit crunch had nothing to do with “Republican” policies and its dishonest for you claim otherwise with these vague bumper sticker slogans from Obama.
SPQR (72771e) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:06 pmDon’t remind Terece that John McCain warned of the coming Fannie and Freddie crash years before they crashed, and in time to possibly correct it before it happened. Don’t remind Terece that the Democrats poo-pooed his warnings and lambasted him for trying to refuse home ownership to poor and minorities.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:14 pmIt is enough of a giggle that Terece writes a talking point and includes “stop the talking points” immediately thereafter.
Yet another case of troll projection.
SPQR (72771e) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:26 pm“So then you get the argument, well, this is not a stimulus bill, this is a spending bill. What do you think a stimulus is!?”
Wesson (3ab0b8) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:27 pm— President Barack Obama
My family is lower middle class. We have principles and bills to pay.
gus (36e9a7) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:28 pmHow does this ROAST POKR help me in any way?
Shave off $100 Billion????
That’s like shaving a dogs ass and calling the dog Miss America.
Any Republican who puts his YES into this shit sandwich is a moron.
It was Senator McCain saying the fundamentals of the economy are sound just before the election. Rhetoric is not leadership. The Republican leadership went AWOL when given the oppurtunity to demonstrate conservative values and economic principles. What conservative principle expanded the federal government, and voted in favor of the WALL STREET BAILOUT. Republican leadership left this “conservative”.
Terece (6884e7) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:40 pm^ Hm.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:41 pmTerece is just another Obamabot who doesn’t know what he is talking about. He worships instead of thinking. That is what caused the problem in the first place.
MikeD (b8e532) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:41 pmIf Specter votes yes on the porkulus, it will probably guarantee a primary challenge for Pat Toomey. I met Toomey on the NRO cruise and he is very sharp. The last time, he was ready to challenge Specter and the Bush administration backed Specter, a huge mistake but they were trying “bipartisanship” in those days. I am getting a feeling that 2010 will be a good year, at least for the GOP, if not the country.
Mike K (f89cb3) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:43 pmActually, when I read:
I don’t think about McCain or the RNC.
I think more about the new occupant of the White House.
Eric Blair (1aa50b) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:44 pmTerece, you really don’t have any idea what you are talking about.
SPQR (72771e) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:44 pmThis financial disaster was the result of a debt bubble. That said, I can think of 3 things Republicans got wrong that made it worse:
1) Phil Gramm blocking regulation of derivatives back in 2000.
2) SEC a few years ago failed to stop the excessive leverage at the investment banks.
3) W caved to Paulson panic.
The Dems made mistakes too, like CRA, FNM, FRE, etc. The credit bubble had a thousand fathers. I still believe that conservative economic poilcy (small govt, low taxes) is the best way to go, but let’s stop blaming the whole thing on one political party.
gp (72be5d) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:47 pmI like how the Moby (lifelong Republican no doubt) says “rhetoric is not leadership while extolling the virtues of Teh One, whose claim to fame was his ability to read a teleprompter.
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:49 pmIf Terence thinks he’s a veteran, well… I’m thinking not. He should say he grows plants on his window sill. We all prefer honesty in our on-line friendships.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:50 pmGee, JD, you’d think Moby would stay in the studio, doesn’t he have an album he should be finishing?
SPQR (72771e) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:54 pmSaying rhetoric is not leadership from a Barack supporter is hysterical.
Terece – Since you are a conservative, please outline for us the conservative positions Baracky hold, and the conservative principles he stands for.
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 1:59 pmNot only that, but let’s here where this hallowed veteran “served,” including rank achieved, various postings and service branch.
And no, wearing the epaulets as a doorman on a 5th Avenue Co – Op doesn’t count, Terry.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:14 pmThere have been a great many who have used the “I’m a vet” thing to hammer Bush and other Republicans. Despite that, I am not going to call someone out after the first “I’m a vet” thing because there are some actual vets who don’t like Bush or Republicans. That’s not to say I won’t call some on it, but I’m not calling Terece on it. She may have been in the military for a couple years.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:22 pmGood Allah, why do they insist on being serially dishonest?
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:23 pmNeo-Hooverists of the world unite! Economic catastrophe is fun!!
Peter (e70d1c) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:30 pmJH, I know a few vets from past wars like Vietnam and the first Gulf War, and the one thing I’ve always noticed is that they NEVER brought up their past service until I knew them for awhile. I realize that while things have changed since that time period, I don’t believe anyone who uses that description in the first sentence of their introductory post is being honest – at all. Who cares? It’s the same Moby crap we saw for months during the election, when every other preface to a comment was either “as a military veteran…,” or “as a concerned Christian conservative…” Complete and utter nonsense.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:33 pmPetey displays more of his famous Tourette’s Syndrome routine. Can we see your third act, Petey? Did you change the litter box yet?
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:35 pmPeter – You were already awarded Twatwaffle of the Week. No need to double down.
Terece – We await your conservative case for Teh One.
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:35 pmDmac, it is just more trollery, and probably from One of the Usual Suspects.
Just tell me that someone could write:
And then NOT think that they were parodying North Korean propaganda. Seriously.
Eric Blair (1aa50b) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:37 pmLooks like the vote might be stalled until next week, giving us time to make more calls. When talking to the wobblers, it might be helpful to remind them that even Biden knows that those who vote for this crap sandwich will suffer real consequence: “Vice President Joe Biden acknowledged today that Democrats could face political repercussions in 2010 for their support of the $900 billion economic stimulus package.”I’m sure you’re going to be nailed in ads, ‘Well they voted on that’ 30 second ads” Biden told roughly 200 members of the House Democratic Caucus gathered here for their three day annual retreat.” (From Roll Call.)
LASue (29a0ac) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:37 pm:
I like the Hoover business in particular…and I will bet cash money that most people posting on this subject don’t know a bloody thing about 1925 – 1941 United States history.
And the stimulus package, filled with Democratic dream pork, helps how? You show me genuine infrastructure improvements, or genuine ways to deal with the lending crisis, and that would be different.
It’s kind of like gas prices. Notice how they were very high during the election…and then they did what afterwards?
Hmmmm.
Eric Blair (1aa50b) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:40 pmThe gas prices were previously the fault of BushHitler and Darth Cheney, Eric – but the much lower prices today are the direct provenance from…well, you know.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:45 pmBTW, Granny McBotox still believes that natural gas is not a fossil fuel.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:47 pmThird in line for the Presidency, Dmac! And I’ll tell you what: considering who is in that third and second place, I am INDEED filled with Hope that nothing about President Obama’s ability to serve Changes.
Brrrr.
Eric Blair (1aa50b) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:53 pmBy the way, I like “Granny McBotox.” If we could work “rictus” in, it would be even more accurate. But “Granny Rictus McBotox” might be too much.
At least, since “The Outer Limits” went off the air.
Eric Blair (1aa50b) — 2/6/2009 @ 2:54 pmNeo-Hooverites? That’s pretty hilarious since the trolls are falsely blaming Republicans for the recession by citing to contra-Hoover policies. Now we have Obama proposing faux “stimulus” that would nearly rival FDR’s incompetent policies which extended the Depression by as much as five years.
Blithering incompetents like Peter make me despair for the education of Americans.
SPQR (72771e) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:19 pmI wouldn’t be too saddened by his ignorance – he’ll make a terrific fluffer when he grows up. A boy can still dream, can’t he?
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:27 pmMike K wrote:
I am proud to say that I voted for Mr Toomey in the 2004 Republican senatorial primary, and for Jim Clymer, the Constitution Party candidate, in the 2004 general election.
I e-mailed Senator Specter, asking him to vote against this monstrosity, but I rather doubt it will do much good.
The Dana in Pennsylvania (556f76) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:27 pmMr Blair wrote:
Well, they haven’t quite gotten to the point of referring to him as “Dear Leader” yet — at least, not in public.
The disgusted Dana (556f76) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:31 pmIn Barack we certainly trust
The Limerick Avenger (556f76) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:32 pmThe Limerick Avenger ran out of ink.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:34 pmDag-nab it! Hit the enter key too soon!
In Barack we certainly trust
The Limerick Avenger (556f76) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:35 pmTo do the right thing he must
We’ll all go to work
To pay for this pork
While our economy he will have crushed
The Avenger ran out of ink
The Limerick Avenger (556f76) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:37 pmA one-liner certainly stinks
But he tried again
And wrote with his pen
A lim’rick that’s not dinky-rink
Ev’rett Dirksen said
The Haiku Avenger (556f76) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:42 pmA million here, million there
Soon is real money
If we could just get
The Haiku Avenger (556f76) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:44 pmKim Jong Il to solve problems
Peter would be glad
“the fact that English carries significantly more information per syllable than Japanese indicate that using the 5-7-5 form does not necessarily provide an analogous condition for writing haiku in English.” – Keiko Haiku Rules
Put that in your smipe and poke it, Haiku Avenger
(and don’t bother reporting on my out-of-context quoting)
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 3:54 pmWow, so a lot of geniuses here think they know more about Keynesian stimulus than Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, former Fed Chairman Volcker, and the President’s economic panel. No wonder the so-called conservative Republican states are the backward states. Supply side economics failed us, just like Bush’s 8 years. Retard comments about Fannie and Freddie are as dumb as Rush. Wonder how low is the average IQ of dittoheads. Anyway, there is some pork in the bill, but not as much as the Republicans say.
DaTruth (9575b7) — 2/6/2009 @ 5:00 pmWow SPQR, you’re the prime example of what I meant regarding low IQs. I wonder in what state you went to school…
DaTruth (9575b7) — 2/6/2009 @ 5:02 pmDaTruth, already showing that your name is undeserved.
SPQR (72771e) — 2/6/2009 @ 5:06 pmSo, we have a sockpuppet in this thread too?
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 5:06 pmBut the real question is, even if I want it, how am I going to fianance this pig?
Joe (17aeff) — 2/6/2009 @ 5:42 pmLike the bumper sticker says, “We are spending our children’s inheritance.”
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 5:48 pm#82, 83:
Johnny Mac may have some answers:
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:04 pm“Senator McCain will be appearing on CBS’ Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer this Sunday, February 8th. He will discuss his efforts to protect taxpayers and pass a stimulus bill that will directly help Americans, create jobs, and provide a jolt to our economy.”
Of course, his comments after the election were problematic…
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:05 pmThe fascists are getting pretty confident already. A reporter who tried to ask Panetta a question after his testimony today was detained by an unidentified thug. Hope and Change. Especially change.
Mike K (2cf494) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:16 pmWhile I certainly share a concern about fiscal responsibility — and always have, even when Republicans were running the show — I’m afraid that any crowing about how bad this bill is going to be for the Democrats suffers from some misreading, or denial, of recent political history.
Will voters blame Obama for the banking/mortgage meltdown?
Never.
Several reasons:
1. He wasn’t in power when it happened.
2. His party wasn’t in power when it happened.
3. Too many of Obama’s critics on the right have squandered their credibility by insisting, every more loudly and incoherently, that he’s a socialist cryto-Muslim terrorist sympathizer with Chicago gangster connections. Meanwhile, the first move he makes as president is to appoint a phalanx of hyper-establishment Wall Streeters who’ve been running the country already in various capacities for decades.
Like it or not, Obama’s going to get a free pass on this particular crisis. At least for the next six to nine months, the worse it gets, the better it is for him.
The parallels with Reagan are instructive.
Remember, Reagan produced an “Economic Miracle,” even though when we average out the eco stats from his administration, we find not only that the worst recession since the 1930s came on his watch, in 1982, but that, on average, most of the key measures of economic health declined under his watch relative to the post WWII average.
Obama stands to benefit from the same phenomenon.
The business cycle isn’t a model cooked up by physicists who’ve taken multi-million jobs as “risk managers.” It’s an economic fact of life.
We know the economy will bounce back, even if only weakly, tentatively so.
When that happens, Obama will get the same fawning treatment Reagan did — and just as unfairly, I might add.
If Republicans were smart, they’d be thinking ahead to that day and acting accordingly…
Hax Vobiscum (edacf7) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:39 pm^ That’s a pretty disturbing link. This thug regime is moving fast….not warm & fuzzy inauguration stuff anymore.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:41 pmAnyone else suspect that Hacks works for the LA Times, or at the very least, considers itself to be a jounalist? Likely considers itself to be impartial and non-partisan as well.
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:47 pmYour summary doesn’t include the Pelosi-Barry superbill. So the rest of your theory doesn’t fit. With no relief included and monumental baggage for decade$, the obama plan can’t flourish. ( I would use stronger words except this here’s a family blog.)
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:48 pmHey, don’t forget California’s budget. The grand total of $150 billion divided among 30 million taxpayers comes out to $5000 per person per year on average. For a family of 5, that is $25,000 per year in addition to what they are sending to Obama.
Wesson (3ab0b8) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:50 pmVermont: while I’m not even a little worried that a thug is going to come break your fingers, I do share your concern that the stimulus bill won’t work very well and will trade a short-term semi-recovery for a long-term slowdown in maximum growth potential for the economy.
My point is rather that the voting public seldom distinguishes between short-term and long-term effects. It’s far more sensitive to short-term effects and it looks from here like Obama is set up to benefit from that the same way Reagan did.
You’ve gotta admit, the bar for economic recovery is pretty low at this point. Bush left us in the worst disaster since the Great Depression, and everyone — even the people who pretend to deny it here — knows it happened on his watch.
Hax Vobiscum (edacf7) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:53 pmHack, but people like you intentionally omit any mention of whose actions contributed to the current recession.
But that’s what makes you, you.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:54 pm“But the real question is, even if I want it, how am I going to fianance this pig?”
Joe – Obama doesn’t care. He doesn’t really care about the specifics of what’s in it as far as I can tell. He just wants to put some lipstick on it and get it passed BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!!!!!!
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 6:57 pmJD: keep guessing. Your odds of getting something right via unadorned speculation and/or astrological projection appear to be a little better than via any attempt to present fact or logic.
So do you make me for an Aquarius, or Pisces?
50-50 chance of getting it right…
Hax Vobiscum (edacf7) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:01 pmThe early 1980’s? Didn’t happen. And FDR’s plan worked.
I’m gonna have to start standing on my head more often. Hax Vobiscum’s world looks great with a head full of blood.
Pablo (99243e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:01 pmCancer.
Pablo (99243e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:02 pmSPQR: I know, I know. Bush and the Republicans who were in charge of congress aren’t responsible for what happened on their watch.
Sorry, but I’m sure even you can understand why that just doesn’t wash with voters…
Hax Vobiscum (edacf7) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:02 pmThe Democrats have been in power since Jan ’07.
Pablo (99243e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:03 pmDemocrats have controlled Congress for the last two years. The recession is 1 year old.
Math sucks, huh, Hack?
Pablo (99243e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:05 pmDifferent times. News travels faster now. Obama can’t regulate that.
As for “Bush left us in – – ” I definitely agree with SPQR. You’re omitting A LOT of names and villains, some who are currently salivating over the passage of this bill.
Thanks for the love.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:05 pmPablo: check the dates and get back to us.
c’mon, the inauguration was mere weeks ago. Didn’t you buy a few copies of commemorative-edition LA Times to mark the occasion?
As for taking control of Congress: no one I know of dates the decisions that led to the banking/mortgage meltdown anytime after that.
if you can point to any, I’ll voluntarily divulge my astrological status — and what color shoes I’m wearing RIGHT NOW — to JD, to lighten his heavy load of speculation.
Hax Vobiscum (edacf7) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:09 pmHax,
‘Biden sees risk of voter backlash.’ LA Sue posted that above. Check Drudge.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:11 pmHypocrites. I didn’t hear you folks complain when George Bush pushed for the same last Nov. Oh. As long as the letter “D” is behind it, attack it. No one here has come up with a better plan for rescuing this economy. Don’t just stand against a plan, present yours! I want to hear ideas. Enough of how horrible and terrible Obama’s plan is. At least he has a plan. One that might work. What’s yours?
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:13 pmYou admit Obama-Pelosi are sitting on a losing bill. And you’re a supporter.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:13 pmCoorection: Mr. Bipartisan never contacted the GOP for input.
Ixnay the funny money to ACORN. Asap.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:16 pmSo, Hacks, when you used the word “our” in reference to the LA Times, you were mistaken, or disingenuous?
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:16 pmNow Barney Frank thinks that Congress should pass legislation restricting the compensation of all executives in all companies in the US – not just those taking federal bailout money.
The Socialist revolution is beginning.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:19 pmI stated them correctly. Do you have some argument with what I said? State it.
Pablo (99243e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:21 pmNo one hacks knows voted for McCain, or Bush, or Reagan either. So, judging by the anecdotal lack of brains of yours friends is no actual measure of when the Dems took over Congress, and the economy subsequently tanking. Coincidence.
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:22 pmHacks, #98 – Democrats have run Congress for several years now, but you omit that too. Democrats were actually running Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac when they became insolvent. You omit that too.
Its getting to be a pattern with you.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:22 pmThe question is in error and a complete rejection of the topic at hand.
Point number 2 is wholly inaccurate. The Democrats were in the majority in both houses of congress.
Point number 3, Barack’s socialist agenda is easily seen if you open your eyes. Barack has involved himself with socialists for years. Barack has associated himself with a known unrepentant terrorist and an organization that has been indicted in several states for voter fraud, a felony. Check here and here and here.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:26 pmCoorection: Mr. Bipartisan never contacted the GOP for input.
Comment by Vermont Neighbor — 2/6/2009 @ 7:16 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:27 pmA disingenuous lie. Or a bad case of selective memory. Which is it? Who has made more efforts at reaching out to Reps like the President has been doing? It is the Reps who refuse to cooperate. He has reached out his hands to your ilk. Now you must unclench your fist!
Ixnay the funny money to ACORN. Asap.
…right after the National Endowment of the Arts and Amtrak nonsense. Feh.
Dana (137151) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:28 pm^ Obama is going to get away with this or what? It’s like witnessing a live freak show. BarneyF wants to stick his nose in private shareholder rooms and slap a salary on the Power Point?
How could poor Oprah even survive on $500,000 a year? Clooney? Streisand?? Soros? Mr & Mrs John Kerry?
Did you know that GWB turned down Secret Service protection at the ranch? More balls than Obama with his guns and lynchmen and plastic podium.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:28 pmHacks is only honest in its choice of names.
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:28 pmBarack has associated himself with a known unrepentant terrorist and an organization that has been indicted in several states for voter fraud, a felony. Check here and here and here.
Comment by John Hitchcock — 2/6/2009 @ 7:26 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:29 pm(Yawn.) Next?
Don’t just stand against a plan, present yours! I want to hear ideas.
I don’t feel like telling you cause it would just be a waste of time. All we can do is pray that those ignoble hoochies from Maine and that ponce from Pennsylvania have a moment of clarity about Baracky’s “stimulus.” For real, people as old and as not long for this world as Arlen and Ted have no business committing us to paying off the tab for this dirty socialist orgy. It’s unseemly in the extreme.
happyfeet (4eacbc) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:30 pmEmperor, #113 – why do you write stuff that shows so clearly that you don’t know what you are talking about? Obama’s response to Republicans on why they should support his policies was not any form of bipartisanship, his response was “I won”.
Grow up, your weird behavior got old a long time ago.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:31 pm“No one here has come up with a better plan for rescuing this economy. Don’t just stand against a plan, present yours! I want to hear ideas.”
Lovey – You must be freaking deaf you ninny. Don’t start up with your lying shit again.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:32 pm(Yawn.) Next?
Yep. You and our new President: Always ready, willing, and able to (*wink*) look the other way.
Dana (137151) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:33 pmDid you know that GWB turned down Secret Service protection at the ranch? More balls than Obama with his guns and lynchmen and plastic podium.
Comment by Vermont Neighbor — 2/6/2009 @ 7:28 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:35 pmIt’s not a matter of balls. It’s a matter of who has more value. A sitting president or a former president? Unless in your warped thinking would you choose the later. Besides, why didn’t he turn down the secret service when he was president? One more point, who really wants to kill George Bush? With that kind of low approval rating? It’s not as though he is a Ronald Reagan or a JFK.
Dana, for me the Arts money is okay. Some people just can’t build fences or pour cement. They can breakdance or put together a mix tape. So whatever bogus jobs the bill creates, it still boils down to a re-elect Barry stimulus package and war chest.
I’ll take religious erotica anyday if it keeps these people away from the election process!
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:36 pmSadly, I knew you would function on the obvious and not the message. Let’s break it down. BARRY DIDN’T NEED A $160 M INAUGURATION. $$$$$$$
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:38 pmEmperor7 your #121 is especially clueless.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:38 pm“It is the Reps who refuse to cooperate.”
Lovet – Pelosi took no input from Republicans. Fact. She is not a fan of bipartisanship. Dirty socialist Baracky will not sully his hands and tell her to work with them. She scares him ’cause he is a pussy or he won’t expend any political capital to get it done. Same with the Senate. He gives lip service but no direction. He makes another fearmongering campaign speech and then votes present on the whole thing.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:38 pmGrow up, your weird behavior got old a long time ago.
Comment by SPQR — 2/6/2009 @ 7:31 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:39 pmDo you still suck your thumb? Just curios.
GWB is the first former president in a long time to turn down lifetime secret service protection. And it depends on what the definition of “value” is and the particular specific location of the placement of that term regarding the subjects being compared for a proper comparative examination.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:39 pmThe arts money is wrong. It reminds me of Italy in that period I never really studied. I don’t mind that kind of thing at the state or city level so much, but it’s not a function that’s appropriate to the federal government unless you’re in France I don’t think.
happyfeet (4eacbc) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:41 pmNo. The Bill had no bipartisan work. And the newest number now is higher the original tally last week.
Who has made more efforts at reaching out to Reps like the President has been doing?
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:42 pmHe makes another fearmongering campaign speech and then votes present on the whole thing.
Comment by daleyrocks — 2/6/2009 @ 7:38 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:42 pmDalet, how can he “vote present” when he is now president?
Hey, but props to H.I.M. Baracky and his Klingon Battle Warrior wife for visiting a school that’s not good enough for their kids while all this is going on.
Judgement to lead! My ass.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:43 pmEmperor77,
Check Drudge now. Looks like Obama can’t control the hired help:
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:44 pm“Dalet, how can he “vote present” when he is now president?”
Lovey – Easy nimrod, by staying above the fray and avoiding any exercise of Executive leadership. When freaking Lindsay Graham calls you out for being AWOL you know you’re in trouble.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:46 pmDid you or did you not oppose the 700 billion bailout to banks last year?
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:47 pmLovey – I think you need to brush up on what is actually going on before you try to have a conversation with the adults.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:47 pmthe emperor is living in a fantasy land similar to Peter’s.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:48 pmComment by Vermont Neighbor — 2/6/2009 @ 7:36 pm
Piss Christ? No thanks. Let’s take that 50 mil for vocational schools and apprenticeships so they can learn how to build fences those fences and pour cement.
Dana (137151) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:49 pmComment by Vermont Neighbor — 2/6/2009 @ 7:44 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:52 pmThat is Nancy Pelosi. Not the President. You can’t prove that Obama has not been reaching out to Reps. You know why? Because he has! Even sometimes to the detriment of his standing with his base, sometimes.
What would be nice right about now is an interview with Rev. Wright on national TV about Obama with the Rev. asking the interviewer if he/she caught Obama’s thug thizzle. Wright could them remind them that he warned everybody last spring that Obama was just another no account politician.
That would be good right about now.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:52 pmFantastic idea… which means it will never happen in this admin.
I’m just scared of Obama’s skill at stealing the silverware, the money under the mattress and the family heirlooms and still get a standing ovation from Newsweek.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:54 pm“You can’t prove that Obama has not been reaching out to Reps.”
Lovey – Then why does he keep saying the time for talk is over. Can’t he make up his mind?
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:55 pm“and still get a standing ovation from Newsweek”
It would be cruel to make them get up off their knees.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:56 pmBingo. POST of the night. We have a winner.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 7:57 pmComment by daleyrocks — 2/6/2009 @ 7:46 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:00 pmAnd who the freaking hell is Lindsay Graham? And who cares what he thinks?
And are you really going to sit there and argue that Obama is avoiding to execise Executive Leadership on this issue? Really? It looks like he is using good leadership skills here. Stressing the importance of this bill and at the same time trying to get bipartisan support for it. It’s not an easy job.
Emperor7, you are simply delusional. There is no “leadership” going on at all – least of all from Obama. His speech earlier this week was nothing but cheap fear-mongering of the very type he’s pretended to be beyond.
There is nothing “bipartisan” about the bill, its nothing but Democratic pork and faux “tax cuts”.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:02 pmHis leadership. I like when he groped the window to get in. Kind of that nervous Chicago thing. Not easy finding a doorknob.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:03 pmAnd of course, only someone like Emperor7 would combine these elements clueless about the irony:
who the freaking hell is Lindsay Graham? And who cares what he thinks? … trying to get bipartisan support
Just clueless.
SPQR (26be8b) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:04 pmComment by daleyrocks — 2/6/2009 @ 7:55 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:05 pmHe is doing exactly what you are accusing him of not doing; Exercising Executive Leadership. How long can this issue continue to drag? Someone has to take action and let people know that time is running out. The time to act is now. Did you get the last unemployment figures? Scary.
Comment by SPQR — 2/6/2009 @ 8:04 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (0c8c2c) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:07 pmOops!
Oh good Allah. Lovie, at least try. This is really minor league BS you are spewing. Simply calling things distractions and politics as usual is not leadership. Simply demanding immediate action is not leadership. Claiming to be above the partisan fray and at the same time, using “I won” as his mechanism of bipartisanship is not leadership.
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:16 pmYes, $5+ BILLION to the community ripoff thugs of ACORN will be a great stimulus to reinforcing future libtard election shenanigans.
Yes, we need to pass this bill pronto before more peeps are aware of what camel dung it really is. Do it now even if most of the money is targeted for pork in later years. Raise taxes so the govt. runs more things that ordinary businesses must compete with over time. Subsidize the businesses that are incompetent feckups and penalize those that do a good job. 17 days of this buffoon O! and things are going to hell in a handbasket? Which appointees actually pay their taxes? No lobbyists hired except for a “few” exceptions? What a frackin’ joke. Get out that KY jelly, fellow taxpayers.
aoibhneas (0c6cfc) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:17 pmObama’s desire for “bipartisanship” likely was born out of his need to stroke his damn ego — to boost his image of being a great, almighty negotiator — more than anything else. I’m sure if he had his way, the Republicans (and non-leftists in general) would be booted out, and the amount of Congressional spending would, if anything, be increased another $3 trillion bucks.
BTW, the NY Times — yep, no less than that mouthpiece of the left — did a story today about how Japan’s attempt to get out of its previous major recession of the 1990s (the so-called “lost decade” in Japan) through massive public-works projects (and the corresponding massive spending) ended up doing very little for that nation’s economy.
Mark (411533) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:21 pmWasn’t that the time when the Japanese yen went into the toilet?
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:23 pmI can see a time coming very soon where we have 20pc or higher inflation with the government spending boom and the printing presses going into overdrive printing all that new money.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:25 pmYou know what’s stupid? Maine. Can’t we just let Canada have it?
happyfeet (4eacbc) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:26 pmI’m still waiting for that earthquake that will cause California to slide off.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:30 pm“And are you really going to sit there and argue that Obama is avoiding to execise Executive Leadership on this issue?”
Lovey – Yes I am and I already have. People in the media have caught up with my thinking now. Try opening your eyes and thinking for a change. Some advice for you, when you clearly don’t understand things, sometimes it is better to remain silent.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:32 pmJohn – If Baracky and Chris Dodd and Barney Frank are willing to dictate what people can be paid, what makes you think they will ever think twice about dictating what those same companies can charge?
JD (b2da6e) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:33 pmCalifornia is imploding. It has the finances of a third world country. That’s the future what Baracky’s “stimulus” will buy for all of us I think. It’s so senseless.
happyfeet (4eacbc) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:37 pmComment by daleyrocks — 2/6/2009 @ 8:32 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (1b037c) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:52 pmPeople in the media have caught up with my thinking now.
Would that be the liberal, left-wing, biased media that sucks up to Obama and hates the Reps? All of a sudden they have credibility with Dalet. (Gasp!)
feets – Maybe we’ll get 70 years of bad harvests like Russia. I hope not.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:53 pmThat’s the remarkable thing about Baracky’s “stimulus.” It’s so much worse than anyone ever expected or imagined. I don’t think anyone would’ve believed he’d just lunge at the economy’s jugular right out of the gate.
happyfeet (4eacbc) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:55 pmSomebody smack Lovey with a cluebat ASAP. She’s losing it. We’re going to see the potty mouth mommy any second.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:55 pmHF,
Chris (b886a5) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:57 pmDead on in your comparison to California, imo. The state is ungovernable because politicians’ votes are dictated by the public employees unions. Obama-Pelosi-Reid want to greatly expand union control nationwide through increased gov. hiring, card check etc. CA does lead the nation, only this time, I don’t think most people are going to like where they’re being led.
“That’s the remarkable thing about Baracky’s “stimulus.” It’s so much worse than anyone ever expected or imagined.”
feets – I thinks it’s because they’re all still buzzed from guzzling the rich creamy goodness of his throat yoghurt, like Lovey here, that they haven’t woken up to reality.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 8:59 pmSome word-pics should never be painted…
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:01 pmick
California is doomed I think. Oh hey. Good news. Trade war.
happyfeet (4eacbc) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:02 pmComment by daleyrocks — 2/6/2009 @ 8:59 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (1b037c) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:09 pmYou are the one who refuses to awaken to reality. The elections are over. We are now trying to clean up the mess of the last 4 to 8 years. Care to lend a helping hand?
oh. That’s apt but ick. It’s the credibility of his more his intellectual-type fellaters that’s gonna be squandered even faster than the trillion dollars I think.
happyfeet (4eacbc) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:09 pmAHH, THAT’S BETTER!
A judge in Louisville decided a jury went “a little bit too far” in recommending a sentence of 5,005 years for a man who was convicted of five robberies and a kidnapping. The judge reduced the sentence to 1,001 years.
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (1b037c) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:11 pmoh. No good for real American would abet Baracky and Mr. Soros in their dirty socialist betrayal of our little country I don’t think Mr. Emperor7.
happyfeet (4eacbc) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:12 pmOOPS! I BLEW THAT ONE!
A lawyer defending a man accused of burglary tried this creative defense: “My client merely inserted his arm into the window and removed a few trifling articles. His arm is not himself, and I fail to see how you can punish the whole individual for an offense committed by his limb.” “Well put,” the judge replied. “Using your logic, I sentence the defendant’s arm to one year’s imprisonment. He can accompany it or not, as he chooses.” The defendant smiled. With his lawyer’s assistance he detached his artificial limb, laid it on the bench, and walked out.
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (1b037c) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:14 pmYou are the one who refuses to awaken to reality. The elections are over. We are now trying to clean up the mess of the last 4 to 8 years. Care to lend a helping hand?
Comment by Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! — 2/6/2009 @ 9:09 pm
Nope. We still reserve the right to shut down “Achmed’s Bar and Brothel”, where you put up five nightly shows, servicing three goats at a time. With Juggy as your number one client.
You know, Achmed would pay you extra if you learned to shove it in sidewise, you disgusting little asswipe.
nk (a12124) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:17 pmIn my previous career as an OTR trucker, I had the opportunity to pick up a load of linen from a prison in Miami. Talking to the honor prisoners there loading my truck, I found out a year of incarceration was 52 40-hour weeks. Seeing as a week lasts 168 hours, a year would count as a little over 3 incarceration years. Then there was “good behavior” credits that could accelerate the “served time” beyond that. It was possible for one real year to count as five sentence years. And it greatly affected the time needed before parole opportunities.
I don’t know if that plays into the 1001 year sentence or no.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:19 pm“Hypocrites. I didn’t hear you folks complain when George Bush pushed for the same last Nov”
Then you weren’t listening. We were complaining.
Lily (9d9b60) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:36 pmHax Vobiscum #87 Interesting comments. Hasn’t the opposing party pretty much ALWAYS accused the other side of “mortgaging our children’s future!!!! OMG!!!!”? Maybe we all should spend more time understanding the “what happens” part of how economies work instead of the “what is supposed to happen” ideology land of free market (and other) models.
Peanut gallery, re your responses to Hax Vobiscum’s ideas, well, you changed his handle to make some funny words (Hax is just too easy) but it’s pretty obvious you got nothin real to say in response.
EdWood (6c7662) — 2/6/2009 @ 9:49 pm“Peanut gallery, re your responses to Hax Vobiscum’s ideas, well, you changed his handle to make some funny words (Hax is just too easy) but it’s pretty obvious you got nothin real to say in response.”
Ed – Good to see you don’t have much real to say tonight, just sniping from the sidelines. If you hadn’t noticed, nobody is taking much of what Hax has to say seriously since he’s pretty much beclowned himself in every thread in which he’s participated. Sorry to disappoint you.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/6/2009 @ 10:22 pm“pretty much beclowned himself in every thread in which he’s participated”
Sure D-rocks, but nobody had an interesting or worthwhile response to PVob’s ideas in this thread.
EdWood (6c7662) — 2/6/2009 @ 11:37 pmObama telling people they better pass it because it’s a crisis isn’t a good reason to do something. Isn’t that what the Democrats said Bush did with Iraq?
Harrison (0a8baa) — 2/7/2009 @ 12:03 amThat $6065 per taxpayer is less any transfer payment that goes TO a taxpayer. Oh, wait….
Kevin Murphy (0b2493) — 2/7/2009 @ 12:31 am“Hypocrites. I didn’t hear you folks complain when George Bush pushed for the same last Nov”
I was complaining back at Bush’s Medicare prescription benefit. I complained about the Jan ’08 stimulus, and I complained when they passed the bailout. I’ll complain later this year at the next one, which will be larger again.
Kevin Murphy (0b2493) — 2/7/2009 @ 12:36 amI agree with the term “Generation Theft Act.” This package is dishonest and obscene. We see what Pelosi is capable of in clear terms. Glad to see they scrapped the polar ice cutters, but what about the portion for the endowment for the arts? There are so many pieces to the package that Obama is trying to get us believe that we won’t survive if they are taken out. What a bunch on bullshit to the nth degree. These Democrats are trying to quickly pass all of their pet projects over the last 30 years into a make it or break it so-called stimulus package. We Americans, then must see through all the transparency and vote them out starting 2010. The party is no good for America. They are an agenda driven, pack of socialist wolves. This congress and this president are completely out of control, going out of bounds, and getting out of favor more every day. Let them hang themselves. Support our Repubicans who are trying to do the right things by pulling in the reins. Tell your senators not to vote for the bill until it really stimulates the economy and it’s OBVIOUS. Oh, and what about all the Dems that are failing to pay their own taxes? I suppose, given history, that that will be expected to continue since it’s the Democratic way. What a bunch of sickos!!!
Amber (fafb2c) — 2/7/2009 @ 3:02 amComment by Kevin Murphy — 2/7/2009 @ 12:36 am
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (1b037c) — 2/7/2009 @ 4:17 amI guess that makes you ” a complaining complainer who loves to complain”, right Kevin? 🙂
Comment by nk — 2/6/2009 @ 9:17 pm
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (1b037c) — 2/7/2009 @ 4:24 amYou are still a pig.
Will voters blame Obama for the banking/mortgage meltdown?
Never.
Several reasons:
1. He wasn’t in power when it happened.
2. His party wasn’t in power when it happened.
That is a remarkable degree of disconnection from reality you have going.
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but the Democrats were the party in power in Congress when it happened. They controlled both the House and the Senate. And Obama was a US Senator “when it happened” and did nothing whatsoever to prevent it.
Subotai (afdbac) — 2/7/2009 @ 4:46 amComment by Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! — 2/7/2009 @ 4:24 am
Emperor7,
re: your new nick, much as I understand your feelings, and share your high opinion of DRJ, may I suggest that it is perhaps a bit disrespectful of her clearly expressed decision (in the “thanks to DRJ” thread, which I know you saw since you responded to it thread’s end) to keep saying in your every post that you want her back? You know she’s reading since she said she would be.
Also, I know you respect Patterico as well. When someone’s so to speak “in the room” and clearly in charge, it’s, well, perhaps not the most courteous to never stop chanting, complete with exclamation point, “We’re not happy and we want another person here!” Patterico isn’t the type to complain re: things like that but I wonder how he feels about them.
Just my two cents, and normally I wouldn’t comment on someone’s chosen name. “I say, I hope you don’t think I’m horribly rude” — Dr. Richard Carlisle, Remains of the Day 🙂
no one you know (1ebbb1) — 2/7/2009 @ 4:54 amThe elections are over. We are now trying to clean up the mess of the last 4 to 8 years.
If by “we” you mean the Democrats, all I see you doing is taking the GOP’s mistakes on domestic policy and increasing them by an order of magnitude. People were fed up with what they saw as the Republicans over-spending. Trust the Dems to remind everyone of what REAL over-spending looks like.
I guess their pride was stung by the Pubbies seeming to encroach on their turf, and now they want the show the world that the Democrats take a back seat to nobody when it comes to fiscal irresponsibility.
Subotai (afdbac) — 2/7/2009 @ 4:56 amI believe the Government should suspend temporarily the Social Security Payroll tax, and use the money in the (cyber) “lock box” to pay for this stimulus. This would really put money in the pockets, mainly of middle and lower earners.
Raul Alessandri (4d0e59) — 2/7/2009 @ 5:18 amVermont Neighbor wrote:
Though he was actually addressing the much prettier Dana, I certainly feel free to reply! 🙂
First of all, you pour concrete, not cement; cement is a grey powder used in the production of concrete.
Second, and more importantly, consider the practical. If you were continually going into debt, having to borrow money just to pay the rent and electricity bills and put food on the table, would it make any sense at all to buy a new painting for the living room wall?
No, of course not: that would be a luxury, not a necessity. And the National Endowment for the Arts is just that, the nice but completely unnecessary painting for the living room wall, writ large.
The Dana who runs a concrete plant (556f76) — 2/7/2009 @ 8:12 amIn the meantime, Senator John Cornyn of the National Republican Senatorial Committee sent ma a letter, begging for money. He said, in part:
And I sent Senator Cornyn a most gracious reply:
It looks like my vote for Pat Toomey in the 2004 Republican Primary, and for Jim Clymer, the Constitution Party nominee, in the 2004 general election were the wise ones. Unless the Republicans have a majority, and thus get to organize the chamber and exert control, a Republican in Name Only is indistinguishable from a Democrat. What good is it to maintain a man like Mr Specter in office just because he is a Republican if he is of no help to the GOP, if he is actively harming the country?
Of course, I’m sure that my response to Senator Cornyn will fall on deaf ears, as I’m certain my e-mail to Senator Specter did yesterday.
The Dana in Pennsylvania (556f76) — 2/7/2009 @ 8:22 amComment by no one you know — 2/7/2009 @ 4:54 am
Emperor7 (1b037c) — 2/7/2009 @ 9:01 amYou are right. Didn’t see it that way. I have removed the protest aspect of it. It was more of solidarity and not descent. Apologies to Patterico and DRJ. At least she knows how she is missed. To all my fellow Protesters, lets call a truce.
Correction please. “Descent” should be “dissent”. Just getting up from bed. (Yawn).
Emperor7 (1b037c) — 2/7/2009 @ 9:09 amAMERICANS !!! Nothing is stopping us from RE-CALLING these Senators immediately and turning this around !!! Nevada–Start with Reid. California—Start with Pelosi. Iowa–take out Specter Maine—chop Snowe. And who in the world is voting for FRANK !!!! Monday morning we need to be filing RE-CALLS….DO IT !!! Before America is flushed and belongs to China, Europe and Saudi Arabia. NONE of us is going to see a single job from this !! It is for Global warming research….money to research volunteer work….just garbage. Stop it now
Jody P. (7b707b) — 2/7/2009 @ 9:43 amComment by The Dana who runs a concrete plant — 2/7/2009 @ 8:12 am
IOW, actually have a living room wall in the first place, then figure out where to hang the painting.
That’s the problem with so much of this stimulus package, cart-before-the-horse mentality. Practicality first, luxury second.
Dana (137151) — 2/7/2009 @ 10:03 amJeebus, the Obamatons are restless. Their Chosen One isn’t getting the world handed to him on a silver platter, so they’re throwing hissy fits.
It would be amusing if it didn’t appear the entire Democrat party’s acting the same way.
Rob Crawford (b5d1c2) — 2/7/2009 @ 10:05 amNew York Times columnists having wet dreams about Obama!
Joe (17aeff) — 2/7/2009 @ 10:05 amIf Obama is correct that his porkupolus would create 3 million jobs ( BTW what are Nancy Pelosi’ 497 million a month others going to do ? ) then this works out to nearly $300,000 per job.
How about he just gives me that much in cash and does not worry about finding me a job, that amount would speed my retirement up nicely.
SPQR (72771e) — 2/7/2009 @ 10:20 amIt’s create or save, Mr. SPQR. Notwithstanding their housebroken media pets, dirty socialists don’t particularly care for accountability.
happyfeet (71f55e) — 2/7/2009 @ 10:33 amDana—
I enjoyed your response to the Arts Endowment money and your email to Cornyn. All of us should follow suit w/ another call or email, in regards to future support for RINOs after this bill.
I would happily protest the Arts earmark except for the fact the entire bill (90%) is a war chest for Obama’s use. Otherwise, like photographer Dana and you, I’d prefer not to have that artists cash as an earmark. But if I have pressing complaints (Acorn, ice trucks, union pork), that’s what I’d like to see CUT. Especially Acorn.
Love ‘ 08 keeps saying we need to clean up the mess, which ironically was caused by liberal-style overspending. As Kevin wrote, many conservatives complained along the way. Love should be dissecting this bill and giving an honest opinion on actual line items. We’ve never seen a number this high roll through Congress. Since so much of it is beyond the usual touchy-feely stuff, I’d like to specifically cut the shoddy DNC earmarks and paybacks. IIR, the arts endowment has been around since the what, the sixties. Sure, I’d love for that to be cut. But it doesn’t help a sucker get elected. (Acorn.)
If the bill could be reconstructed from the ground up, it would be terrific to see only stimulus-related projects included for consideration. Barack Obama is raping the public funds.
As for cement and concrete — I was making a sad observation on today’s job skills. Whatever minimal jobs come from this package, we don’t have a lot of kids pursuing practical work… hard work that has little glamour. They are making mix tapes and singing and skipping any serious learning. But I’m talking from the left coast, which is not the same as PA. (L.A. just opened a brand new inner city school focused on the performing arts. The LAT ran a pic and called it ‘the crown jewel of schools.’ Cost, $262 million. Spring board dance floors, industry-level screening theater. Huge waste of money.)
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/7/2009 @ 10:35 amNew York Times columnists having wet dreams about Obama!
Sheesh, that column is pathetic and idiotic. It’s also juvenile and flaky. Then again, she most certainly is far too typical of the left, and a registered Democrat, no doubt.
If I didn’t know better I’d swear her writing was an attempt to do a parody of the musings and mindset of a silly liberal (er, uh, make that “progressive”).
Mark (411533) — 2/7/2009 @ 10:48 amVN, I agree re ACORN but I’m quite sure it’s racist to want it cut therefore it will never happen.
Love2008 and her kind do not want to dissect anything, that would require far to much honesty. Best to keep the cheap rhetoric flowing.
Where does that NEA money go? To Shepard Fairey of the Che-like Obama art…who was just arrested this week…for warrants alleging he tagged property with graffiti. You gummint money at work!
Dana (137151) — 2/7/2009 @ 11:08 amDana, thanks for the link. Shepard Fairey up to no good ? That poster makes me heave! The NEA money has always been a little slice o’ commie heaven. The religious projects are beyond offensive. Taxpayer funded, unbelievable.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/7/2009 @ 11:27 amI am already tired of Obama… The Ego wasn’t meant to be shoved down our throats to this extent. I keep waiting for the plot to break, for a glimpse of humility in the story. This man works for Americans, including 1/2 a country that didn’t vote for him.
He is racist and inflammatory, hostile and needy. He’s a dangerous man with only contempt for America. When I see him calling 3 RINOs ‘patriotic’ for going along with his non-stimulus plan, I keep thinking he can’t incite any more. But he does. Every day’s a new day with this guy. Chicago D.C.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/7/2009 @ 11:30 amI guess dissent is no longer the highest form of patriotism.
Socialism=patriotism!
Obama is really unattractive and petulant outside of campaign mode, isn’t he? I guess his disciples are already tired of him–can’t even get some stimulus house parties going.
Patricia (89cb84) — 2/7/2009 @ 12:32 pmFrom American Thinker today:
They Live! – Liberals and Space Aliens
Adrianna Ramirez
They Live (1988) is a classic cult film where aliens have made the human population poorer and made submissive by manipulating through radio waves and signals the reality of the world around them. They are subliminally sent the message to “Stay Asleep”, “No Imagination”, “Submit to Authority”, “Obey”, “Conform”, “Consume”, “Watch Television” and “Sleep.” Presently , the message we are getting from our media is to go along with the spending bill, trust the government, panic, something must be done, fear for the worst, and that we must be saved.
In the movie people are absolved of their liberty and are being treated like cattle. This spending bill is exactly how Americans are being treated; their liberty is being trounced by government overreaching and by treating us as taxpayer cattle.
The thought control that the aliens use to manipulate humans is echoed by the Democrats and the friendly media that are attempting to ram this spending bill down taxpayer throats by attacking its critics. Another message should be “Don’t criticize.”
One can see in this liberal spending bill an attempt to annihilate the individual and create a subclass of dependency within the middle class that will render their future voting power useless. As in the movie, people are politically powerless and treated like criminals.
Rent the movie and see the possibilities of the incoming reach of government. In the movie, the aliens are discovered by a handful of fighting Americans; again American’s must fight and reveal the dangerous control this spending bill will have over American society for generations.
The call must be heeded and the sunglasses be worn.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/7/2009 @ 12:34 pmOur good Neighbor in the Vermont wrote:
On that note, I wrote another politician, Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) on Friday. The subject of my ire was that the wife of someone I know, a fifty year old woman who did not finish high school and lost her job when the factory at which she worked moved, was denied a chance to attend a four-day forklift operator’s class held by the state Department of Labor because she doesn’t have a high school diploma.
Well, as it happens, I can run a forklift, and I can tell you quite honestly that one doesn’t need to know algebra or American history or English literature to operate a forklift. You have to be able to check the equipment — condition of the cylinder, chains, cable and wheels, check the fluid levels, etc. — and operate the equipment. Yet this woman, who has worked hard all her life, and is currently on unemployment compensation, costing the commonwealth money, isn’t allowed to take this class and maybe get a leg up for a new job, because she didn’t finish high school biology.
The skills you mentioned are easily attainable without finishing high school, and while we ought to encourage people to finish high school, putting regulations which have nothing to do with a particular job in place only compounds the problems of people who dropped out. Even drop-outs need to eat.
The pissed off Dana (556f76) — 2/7/2009 @ 12:49 pmDana, that’s good you wrote Rendel. Retraining should be available to help workers learn a new skill and survive.
The response to the woman w/o a HS diploma is odd because there was a lawsuit- Griegs v Duke Electric, IIR- and the guy won, saying he was discriminated against when trying to move up at his company, Duke Electric. No high school diploma and they also wanted him to take an aptitude test. So… it was a minority employee. My own nonlegal interpretation was that this case established a rule of not discriminating against people who lacked the background to advance at work.
I had the chance to commandeer a backhoe on several work sites and I found it very easy. I would do it again, but these jobs usually include heavy lifting and such, which isn’t my specialty. I’m not a guy. Anyway, yes… your friend’s wife certainly should’ve received that training.
FWIW, Michelle Malkin posts that we should keep it up all weekend with the calls and emails. She has a link with local offices, since so many voicemail- and in-boxes are full. I emailed Specter myself. Needed to be heard (if they’re reading). Dissent….it’s patriotic.
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/07/gird-your-loins-the-senate-thieves-rush-to-pass-trillion-dollar-porkulus/
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/7/2009 @ 1:26 pm