News-Record.com

This so called simulus plan, is like 3 day old fish, it stinks! That's the reason they are in a hurry to pass it. Read this morning were Obama said it will take years to work. If its going to take years, why the rush to pass it?
When are we going to hold elected officals accountable? NEVER.

Just saw a from NBC yesterday. Obama says there are no earmarks in this bill!
If you want to read it yourself, its in the morning Drudge Report.
Wonder what he calls 60 million for a mob museum, 625 million for the arts.
Even the ultra liberal Register and Bee, reports this morning, the simulus plan we not create jobs.

Dog Breath - Check again - and stop reading highly partisan trash. It should have read "Obama says there WILL BE no earmarks in this bill."

Whether he achieves it, I dunno .. but the official line is:

"That also means an economic recovery plan that is free from earmarks and pet projects. I understand that every member of Congress has ideas on how to spend money. Many of these projects are worthy, and benefit local communities. But this emergency legislation must not be the vehicle for those aspirations. This must be a time when leaders in both parties put the urgent needs of our nation above our own narrow interests."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/economy/

Michael, I am awake and aware that much of our government is corrupt. Please tell me how to hold these elected officials accountable, short of a bloody revolution.

Carol, it will take a bloody revolution but you can't get enough people in this country to band together to do that. We must get over the, me, me, me generation, before there will be any move on the part of the American citizens to rise up and demand reform. As long as those in power don't see any push by the citizens to make change it isn't going to happen.

"As long as those in power don't see any push by the citizens to make change it isn't going to happen."

This president's entire campaign was successfully run on the word 'change'. It appears to be more of the same. Pork laden spending bills and corrupt people like an admitted tax cheat running the IRS.

Next up perhaps, a tax cheat running health care.

"Obama warns that banks are going to fail." Just which banks Mr. Obama? I'm positive the minute-by-minute ticks on the I.R.S. computers have complete knowledge of it.

Uh oh, I have feeling some facts and figures are coming our way. Withdraw and then close down the "Manly Manual" Rocky so you can enthrall us with your acumen.

U got something to offer other than rhetoric, Moe Lean? Remember the old saying about opinions and assholes.

Let me say that a little nicer:

This Dog Bites Back REALLY BELIEVES "Obama [said] there are no earmarks in this bill!" This Dog Bites Back will be making decisions based on that BAD information. This Dog Bites Back is not alone.

If Molene wants to support the path of bogus information, fine; it is still a relatively free country. Similarly, if Molene get's off fantasizing about my sex life, that's fine too. I happen to believe it better to find out what is really going on.

It don't matter what the president said about the bill. It is a pork laden package that needs not to be passed.
That said, it will be passed (pork filled) as it is payback time.
As for american waking up, it's not gonna' happen.
The American voters got exactly who they wanted.
A bozo who told them what they wanted to hear and promised them the moon and free lunches.

Some TARP pork as reported by the Wall Street Journal:

"There's $1 billion for Amtrak, the federal railroad that hasn't turned a profit in 40 years; $2 billion for child-care subsidies; $50 million for that great engine of job creation, the National Endowment for the Arts; $400 million for global-warming research and another $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects. There's even $650 million on top of the billions already doled out to pay for digital TV conversion coupons."

"Congress wants to spend $600 million more for the federal government to buy new cars. Uncle Sam already spends $3 billion a year on its fleet of 600,000 vehicles. Congress also wants to spend $7 billion for modernizing federal buildings and facilities. The Smithsonian is targeted to receive $150 million;"

"Some $30 billion, or less than 5% of the spending in the bill, is for fixing bridges or other highway projects'

"Another "stimulus" secret is that some $252 billion is for income-transfer payments -- that is, not investments that arguably help everyone, but cash or benefits to individuals for doing nothing at all. There's $81 billion for Medicaid, $36 billion for expanded unemployment benefits, $20 billion for food stamps, and $83 billion for the earned income credit for people who don't pay income tax."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123310466514522309.html

And don't forget the $354 million for STD prevention. That's one way to stimulate the condom industry.

A bozo who told them what they wanted to hear and promised them the moon and free lunches.

You got anything to back that up???

I wish we could eliminate pork...it has happened with every bill that has passed I suppose. It is a large part of our problems it seems.

Agree that we have a large group of Americans who are me, me, me, and have feelings of entitlement, rich and poor included.

"Whether he achieves it, I dunno .. but the official line is..."

Still buyin the official line after Hugh's post JDR?

And the guy hasn't even been in office for two weeks.

Obama said it, I believe it, end of story.

Hugh's post forwarded the crux of the issue.
I have sent the following to both Burr and Hagan:

==

Please DO NOT let the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (S.1) go forth as presently conceived.

Everyone has seen the billions of dollars and multitudes of programs that have nothing to do with the problem at hand.

I want to see Direct Stimulus Items only – which should primarily include American Manufacturing – and should expressly exclude imported goods and materials.

Like him or not, the President stated it well:

"… an economic recovery plan that is free from earmarks and pet projects. I understand that every member of Congress has ideas on how to spend money. Many of these projects are worthy, and benefit local communities. But this emergency legislation must not be the vehicle for those aspirations. This must be a time when leaders in both parties put the urgent needs of our nation above our own narrow interests."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/economy/

PLEASE VOTE NO on S.1

Thank You

Even 650 is too much but here's the right idea:

"Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine, said Monday she was working with Sen. Ben Nelson , D-Neb., on amendments that would pare the spending in bill, reducing the overall package to something around $650 billion. Collins and Nelson want delete parts of the bill that would not immediately create jobs".

==

Sen. Reid:

I'm not from your state but hope you'll listen anyway.

Please DO NOT let the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (S.1) go forth as presently conceived.

Everyone has seen - an dis talking about - the billions of dollars and multitudes of programs that have nothing to do with the problem at hand.

The President stated it well:

"… an economic recovery plan that is free from earmarks and pet projects. I understand that every member of Congress has ideas on how to spend money. Many of these projects are worthy, and benefit local communities. But this emergency legislation must not be the vehicle for those aspirations. This must be a time when leaders in both parties put the urgent needs of our nation above our own narrow interests."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/economy/

Personally, I want to see Direct Stimulus Items only – which should primarily include American Manufacturing – and should expressly exclude imported goods and materials.

PLEASE VOTE NO on S.1 I sent similar notes to Hagan and Burr.

Thank You.

Ditto Sen. McConnell.

Good luck with Hagan JDR, as a new senator I feel 99% sure she will tow the party line.

Better luck with Reid, you know he will tow the party line. Your time writing letters to out of state senators (don't know if they really care about non-constituents) would be spent on some RINOs like Graham and Snowe and some moderate D's like Webb.

FWIW I wrote Hagan & Burr as well.

"and should expressly exclude imported goods and materials."

What does this encompass?

From another place I hang out...

"South Korea uses a tax code element that could be imitated by the US: a fixed percentage of all the money you spend each year is deductible from your income tax. In other words, people are given a tax credit based on their spending.

People are naturally greedy, so such a credit would encourage spending. If the percentage is sufficient, and the credit temporary, it would move some spending forward to this year. While people might spend foolishly, I have no doubt they would spend more wisely than government."

There seems to be this theory in the District that the economy needs a fat stimulus package. While it might need one, it's only going to work if it's thoughtful and mildly restrained. Otherwise, the government might as well just hire drivers to drive down the street and throw Benjamins out the window.

Hooowever, Professional Politicians (of all the primary colors) know what people want (for the next week or so), and they will sacrifice the long-term prosperity of the nation for the short-term political appeal of a grand giveaway.

and isn't it 'toe the party line?'

"[What does] expressly exclud[ing] imported goods and materials [encompass]?

==

January 6, 2009

The Honorable Kay R. Hagan
United States Senate
555 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 3301

Re: Stimulus Package ALTERNATIVE Suggestion:

Senator Hagan:

A core problem with the American Economy is the dearth of American Manufacturing – a fact which not only impacts direct employment, but also ancillary jobs from support roles like suppliers and construction firms.

Here are some easy to initiate ALTERNATIVE ideas:

1 - Instead of sending folks a government check (or issuing a tax credit), distribute any stimulus in the form of Food Stamps. This is an already existing program of legal tender that would be very easy to dispense and it could be readily applied at the cash register against the American content (see below).

2) Apply any stimulus against the "domestic content" of the purchased product. Use an index similar to the "American Automobile Labeling Act" – which as you know is a system that establishes the "domestic content" to assign a simple percentage to any given automobile model.

A similar index could be used to determine how much of any given product would qualify for inclusion in any stimulus package.

Here are a couple quick examples:

• Shrimp brought to shore by Louisiana fishermen will be discounted at the cash register by perhaps as much as 100% – while shrimp farmed in Asia would not be discounted.

• Whiteside Machine tools, made right here in Claremont, NC would fully qualify.

• Automobiles should not qualify because the purchase price is so high the percentages would be too soon maxed out. It would not seem appropriate for the 3% content of an $80,000 Porsche Carerra to be partially funded by taxpayers.

3) Make this a volunteer program, giving every company the option to participate or pass on the opportunity. If they choose to join the program, all they need to do is determine the American Made content – per existing formulas – then add that percentage to their labeling. The print and paper companies would be immediately impacted. Companies that cheat should be severely penalized – perhaps 3x the amount claimed.

4) Tax benefits for businesses that are to be included in any stimulus package would be similarly treated. Equipment going onto a factory expansion would qualify against 2009 returns based on the domestic content.

RESULTS: Every American industry would be positively and quickly affected. American Tax-Payer Money that would otherwise go overseas will stay on shore. American Tax-Payer Money will not be available as cash to pay off old debt.

I urge you to give this full consideration. Feel free to contact me as appropriate.

Sincerely,
JDR

==

P.S. to rahrah: Sounds like South Korea has "stolen" my idea!

My mistake rahrah, a thousand pardons, it is toe the line.

Glad to see even lefties like you and JDR are realizing the amount of wasteful pork in this 'stimulus' package. Write Sens. Hagan & Burr please.

rahrah .. I'm sure Dan was speaking in French.

" .. lefties like you .. "

That line would be funnier if you too were not a lefty in action (albeit not in rhetoric).

Glad you can admit your mistakes, Dan.

Funny thing is, nothing hugh posted is really 'pork' in the traditional sense, meaning that these aren't spending tag-longs (esp. spending tied to a specific region and constituency) added to a bill that's probably unrelated to the spending and is likely to pass.

I mean...it's a spending bill.

If by 'pork' you mean 'spending that I don't think is necessary,' then you might have something, but that would be a rather radical redefining of the word.

[This post shouldn't imply that I support the bill as it stands.]

Yep, lefties like you JDR (and me I guess).

rahrah I can always admit my mistakes.

Depends upon what your definition of pork is. Mine is the latter definition you provided, unnecessary govt. spending as in $150 million for honey bee insurance. What a stimulus!!

I'm certain there is plenty of regional pork in there too. Just dig in the trough and you will find it.

Scoff the honey bee insurance, but if we don't have honey bees to pollinate your crops you won't have any food!! The honey bee is in grave danger at this time. www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/1569/virus-likely-cause-devastating-bee-disease

"Yep, lefties like you JDR (and me I guess)."

You and I
see
eye to eye
more
than you
will
believe

Rockhead the Drudge Report is considered the most accurate news source. Sorry it does not go along with your liberal BS. Any idiot that claims Indians*, live in caves and wear funny clothes, is a damn idiot, I expect my wife wears as nice of clothes as your wife.
Like wise contrary to your post, prostitution is legal in Las Vegas. Pure BS.
* If you had made this remark about a black they would have kicked your butt off this site.
I complained, about your attack on Indians, did no good.
Dan, as a bee keeper, something must be done, we lose about 50% of our hives to mites and like. I worked my tail off last year and made $37.50. I have lost 2/3 of my hives in last two years. I feel lucky. My hives are weak , and may not survive the winter. If I lose them, I quit. Bees are a must for fruits, nuts and vegetables. Most states have programs helping bee keepers, NC is not one of them.

Sorry to tee off the bee lovers like yourself Dog. I Is there private insurance available? If I decide to become a bee keeper and the hive(s) fail through my fault or nature's fault should I get taxpayer money?

As it stands now my neither I nor my business will get zero in taxpayer money should it fail.

At any rate, that was one example. Pick your pork, maybe a safer example is $50 million for the NEA.

correction; anything in taxpayer money

Most areas of agriculture require some sort of subsidization if you want to eat, Dan, especially small farmers.

The USDA monitors farmers and their methods to avoid fraud.

Read my last sentence, care to defend $50 million for the NEA? Hell it takes me 3 years to earn that much!

Ahhh, just watched a teary eyed Tom Daschle apologizing for missing out on $140K in taxes to the IRS.

And the apologists chime in:

"There is a completely understandable, rational, reasonable and acceptable explanation" for his mistakes," Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said.

Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said that everything discovered so far was discovered by Daschle himself. "None of it was intentional, none of it willful," Rockefeller said.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/President44/story?id=6786608&page=1

And the guy who runs the IRS is an admitted tax cheat as well.

This goes back to the author of the letter even though he referenced congress:

"We are currently being represented by individuals who are driven by hidden agendas and greed and certainly do not have the American people and their welfare in mind."

His name is appropriate, as it appears we are being 'Rook'ed by the govt. of transparency, hope and change. The last two weeks have not been impressive, let's see what the next two weeks offer.

I understand the issue of Colony Collapse .. and I'm truly glad you keep bees, Dog Breath .. but since you want the State to jump in and help, there goes your conservative credentials.

"Most states have programs helping bee keepers, NC is not one of them."

So much for your credibility, Dog Breath - typical want g-men help on your issues, want g-men to go away.

=

I have no idea what you are talking about re: me aledged claim "Indians live in caves and wear funny clothes."

The lack N-R Editor response to your complaint against me may be because they to have no idea what you are talking about - perhaps similar to your mis-read of the Drudge Report.

the term Indians is incorrect and should be corrected to the term Native Americans. As they are NOT Indians , they were termed Indians because , explorers were looking for a route to the Indies and when they landed here thought that was where they were, thus naming the natives here Indians.

Dan you make $50mil in three years? I find that hard to believe, to be so high up on the ladder of success but yet you waste your dribble on here with us commoners.

noname, thanks for the history lesson. Since I was borned in North Carolina, would that make me an "Native American"?
You last paragraph would have best been left out.

Why are you making fun of Indians, JDR? What are you, some kinda anthropological bigot?

As far as correct terms for them, I prefer the timeless "Injuns".

Injuns did live in caves. JDR was right.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13586-first-americans-left-fossil-stools-in-cave-latrine.html

As far as their clothes, I want to expressely state that I do not, nor will I ever, find buck skin loin cloths, knee high moccossin boots, or feathered headbands humerous. In fact, I find the Indian Chief one of the snazziest of all the Village People.

http://www.officialvillagepeople.com/Flip%20page.html

Those of you mocking the Native Americans should be ashamed of yourselves!! The first people to inhabit this country only had the good of the land in mind they were living in harmony with nature, the way man was intended to live and white, christian man came along and killed their braves, raped their women, stole their land, and killed off their food sources for trophys. What did anybody expect these people to do they tried to fight back but the white man kept coming and continuing their assult, they had no choice but to lay down their weapons and concede to the white man and his ways, giving up their religion, culture, and way of life.

Had white man not interfered this country would still be living in harmony with nature, and pollution and waste would not be a factor, as it is today.

Of course white, christian, males mostly, have the idea that they must permeate every corner of the world with their dribble and rob every culture that was living in harmony with the earth, of their ability to maintain that harmony.
How sad that this attitude persists and continues to destroy this planet.

As for Native Americans wearing buck skin clothes and moccassins and feather headdress, last time I looked that was taken away from them too, by self righteous christinas telling them they were savages and needed to be more like them. The only time they wear their native garb is at a pow wow. What a majestic display of pride and culture! If you've never been to one you should go. They are gracious enough to allow the white man to come and partake, and observe.

About the last paragraph it was directed at Dan and was an injection of levity. If you were offended, don't be.

... had the good of the land in mind
... they were living in harmony with nature, the way man was intended to live
... would still be living in harmony with nature,
... pollution and waste would not be a factor, as it is today.

noname, I'm guessing by the context that you're referring to Pre-Columbian, but are you talking about Plains, Great Basin, South and Northeast, Southwest, or Subarctic groups? And what time period? Each had pretty significant differences, and that's before we go down south to talk about the Aztecs and friends...

And you do know about blood vengeance, right? And Bonfire Shelter and other bison jumps, right? Especially the part where the tool marks on the bones show that just the tastiest meat was cut off the prime parts of the dead animals and all the rest was left to rot, right?
(see "pollution and waste would not be a factor, as it is today" above)

Bison jumps are a great example of communal hunting efficiency, though. A lot like what the Europeans showed when they came over later.

Not to mention stone tools before clans and tribes and territories started to really split folks up from their surroundings (and the associated raw materials). They were the epitome of waste before they had to stop. Making a projectile point and screw up? Throw it away, grab a new hunk of rock, and start over. But they eventually had to stop because other Indians wouldn't let them walk over their land any more, and the cute little teensy points

http://texasrockshop.com/images/ArtifactsPix/Archaic/Bird%20Point%20Case%20102%20&%20103/00%20Bird%20Point%20Case%20102%20.jpg

are often the direct result of more efficient technology and weapons development and loss of raw material forcing people (predators) to reuse stone.

Careful what you romanticize. People are never any different. Only in different stages.

"About the last paragraph it was directed at Dan and was an injection of levity."

As was my statement about making $50 million in three years. If I made that kinda money I'd be in the Caribbean with my private jet.

BTW noname are you Native American? Do you descend from that evil pillaging Christian caucasian lineage?

No Dan I am not Native American but my first husband was, and my son a half-breed, as it is so curtly put. Unfortunately I do decend from the evil pillaging christian caucasian lineage and am throughly embarrassed by it, and what, those of my ancestors, have done to rape the earth of all of it's native peoples cultures, beliefs and ways of life, not just the American ones.

I knew your comment about the $50mil was in jest, and felt a need to reply. I'm in a silly mood today. sorry

Hey, anybody seen the pretty snow coming down.??