E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSThe New York Times: “President Obama took his jobs sales pitch to a high school in this politically crucial swing state on Tuesday, challenging Congress to act swiftly on his $447 billion proposal of tax cuts and stimulus projects to buck up the economy. In a high-octane performance that came with all of the bells and whistles of a campaign event — right down to U2’s ‘City of Blinding Lights’ blaring across the field — Mr. Obama said the $25 billion for education construction and improvements in the plan would achieve two goals at once: modernizing American schools and putting construction workers back on the job.”
“President Obama wants Republicans to okay his jobs bill - but he'll accept a piecemeal approach if that's the best deal he can cut,” the New York Daily News writes.
A new Bloomberg poll shows similar numbers to the latest NBC/WSJ poll with Obama’s approval at 45%-49% with 53% of independents disapproving. His handling of the economy sits at a low of 33%-62%. The direction of the country numbers are an abysmal 20%-72%; 19% of Obama voters says they no longer support him; 30% say they’d like to see another candidate try for the Democratic nomination. His fav/unfav is 50%-47%; John Boehner is 33%-38%; Mitt Romney 42%-38%; Rick Perry 32%-41%; the GOP 37%-53%; the Democratic Party 44%-46%.
A new Field poll in California finds Obama at just a 46% approval in the state.
The Washington Post on Solyndra: "The Obama White House tried to rush federal reviewers for a decision on a nearly half-billion-dollar loan to the solar-panel manufacturer Solyndra so Vice President Biden could announce the approval at a September 2009 groundbreaking for the company’s factory, newly obtained e-mails show."
Leave a Comment:
Ah, but at least he has the good sense to give out another $1.2 billion to a solar panel company.
Green shoots. Too bad all it does is kill unicorns and fairies.
Heck is even killing Dem. congress critters.
Fiesty has nothing to say? Must be hung over from NY9 defeat. That must've stung a bit.
Mr. President - Stop your attacks on Gibson Guitar for importing wood from countries who say it is legal exportation. Are you so petty because Gibson's CEO gave money to the Republicans that you support shutting down Gibson and causing their 1200 employees to become unemployed. Do you really support the exportation of wood working jobs from the United States of America to Madagascar?
You look like a fool, Sir.
I saw the interview with the owner of Gibson, his company has jumped throw hoops to conform to our regulations, and this is what he gets.
Obama, says one thing and does the complete opposite.
On the spectrum of our nations problems, the Grand Obstructionist Party that is currently blocking the jobs bill, is the larger detriment to the American people. If they don't like the president's plan, let's see one from Boehner/Cantor -- a real, viable plan that can be passed. The truth is they are putting politics first. Obama/Biden - 2012!
The Great Obstructionist is Harry Reid. You are an enemy of the State, TP.
How many jobs bills does Harry have on his desk that are "DOA" from the House? So if Harry were to stop killing bills in the Senate we would have all kinds of things to talk about instead of Obama's Son of Stimulous.
.
What a waist of tax dollars parading the country to promote another stimulus package paid for on the backs of hard working Americans. It’s another pass this bill now and read it later approach and even a lot of the first dweeb regulars are probably having a hard time swallowing that one.
And hey first dweeb,,,,, how about that NY senate election yesterday? You morons obviously don’t want to talk about that one huh? Run Democrats run!
Yea, you're right, except for the part about "on the backs of hard working Americans." I believe you meant "hard working millionairs and billionaires who pretty much sit on their butts and get tax breaks that no one else could ever qualify for."
When I can afford my own personal jet, then I'd still say it, I wouldn't need the tax break then. I'd already of sucked all the money out of the real hard working Americans that couldn't afford it.
Why should any taxpayer have to pay taxes to an idiot who provides loans to a greenhouse panel manufacturer and loses all but pennies on the dollar of a half billion loan. And who has a NLRB that files a claim against a major manufacturing Company for the US, Boeing in support of unions who lost no jobs. Also this idiot-in-chief is trying to put put Gibson Guitars out of business because of the wood the use. So tell me again Tom why should anyone pay taxes to this administation, oh thats right your a freeloading liberal socialist who doesn't pay taxes but wants to pick who does. Send more money anytime you please but stop trying to pick who else does.
Rick Perry lied. The fact check shows that the first stimulus package created between 1 million and 2.7 million jobs. Also, let's no forget the 17 Billion with a B that Texas got to balance their budget.
Facts are Facts.
Now that is precision estimation there, let me tell you. So who has those jobs? In fact, the vast majority of that money went to pay for state budget shortfalls that otherwise would have caused layoffs. Those jobs were "saved" but only until the money ran out. So who got one of the "created jobs"?
Bobby J,
You're missing the whole point completely (unless you want to keep your personal or corporate jet tax break that is). Most hard working Americans (98% of them) don't get to write off the cost of buying a jet.
Why you ask, because most hard working Americans will never have enough wealth to buy a jet. We need to make the tax code "fair and balanced", a term it sounds like you're highly familiar with (Fox news reference).
The extremely rich get breaks that the real hard working American will never get, that's the point and that is whats not right. I have no problem with you having a jet, but it shouldn't be on the back of us hard working Americans. You want it, go for it, but don't expect any tax break from us for it.
Tom,
Those millionaires are in the situation they are in because they lived the American dream and worked hard to make that money. I am a middle class American and I work two jobs to support all of those who are just standing in front of the President with their hands out. If you want something you have to work for it. Liberals don't seem to understand that.
I am all for a flat tax rate for everybody but that's another problem all together. This is nothing more than another stimulus that all TAX paying Americans will pay for.
You're kidding me right, Paris Hilton is living the American dream because of all her hard work.
I have no problem with millionaires, but I think you'll find the ones that actually worked for it themselves have empathy. They're a different breed than the ones that were born into it.
The true hard working American that worked to achieve the American dream shouldn't have any problem with paying their fair share and not expect special exemptions.
Giving a tax break to a hedge fund manager creates zero new jobs. It just adds to their bank account. Take that money and pay down the debt or back into the ecomomy where it can icrease demand for the products people need. Demand is where the jobs will spark from.
Tom, FL -- In addition to the excellent points you make, too bad the right-wing low-information voters are unaware of the poverty numbers released yesterday. I doubt FAUX Noise/Hate Radio mentioned anything about this, and if they did, no doubt they blamed it on the president. The reality is we are STILL operating in a Bush economy with the Bush tax cuts, deregulation, and corporate welfare. The Republican House still has not presented a real and viable JOBS plan.
Oh great person to back up your points. That's the best you have? Why don't you get off you butt and start a company?
Nobody with half of a brain wants their tax dollars going to pay for peoples private jets or to bonuses for hedge fund mangers. You narrow minded libs get caught up on such small talking points. I think we would all vote for those perks to be withdrawn but unfortunately that is only a very small bundle of the this huge ball of crap! Perhaps the super committee should take those up. You liberals cant right a simple bill. You have to load it with fluff and pork. Get a clue! And another thing, who the hell said anything about paying down debt? He just wants to hand it off to other people.
Oh yeah, and there are Democrats who are speaking out against this bill too because they know it has no chance in hell of passing.
As for you Truepatriot change your name. I don't watch fox news and I'm an independent so your opinion is as useless as your handle. And keep blaming bush. Its working real good for you.
Hooray for our side,wait which side is our side? The Democrats controlled by labor, or the Republicans who are purchased by the Koch brothers? Guess what, it doesn't matter the Rich get richer and the rest of us get along the best we can.
Wake up America, look behind the curtain already. It doesn't matter what color that curtain is, red or blue. Either way your strings are being pulled by a rich person living in the Emerald City.
Regular folks need not apply.
Bob-1440886 -- What is this, the sixth grade? I am a moderate, and why liberals in this forum don't always agree with my posts. And unlike you and your ilk, I put country first before Party. Unlike you and your ilk I'm not a poser--I've been registered Independent since the 80s.
I used to vote a split ticket. I no longer recognize the Republican Party. It is so far to the right now, with Teabagger anarchists, and theocrats who ignore Separation of Church and State, and many who border on fascism, at the minimum we are becoming a plutocracy. The poverty numbers and other statistics (GINI coefficient), US ranking in the world, etc. show this to be true--it's not just my opinion.
If folks really want their country back, they will throw out the radical right-wing.
TruePatriot,
Sounds more to me like you are a far lefty if you don't recognize the Republican party and not very American. There are radicals on both sides of the isle and I have no problem with throwing them all out! Actually Andy's post was spot on. And for you to call me a poser just confirms what I thought about you. You know nothing. I listen to your dribble everyday in here. Spewing the same opinionated BS that the rest of the first read regulars spew. Its like a broken record or should I say a TrueParrot.. Blame Bush. It's been three years buddy. People are worst off now then they were then.
I find it a damn shame that no independant will ever will the presidency because of the limited base.
In closing I will just say this bill won't even get support from all the Democrats. It will never pass and its a waste of my time to discuss it further. Good day!
I'm excited about President Obama's proposal to improve schools across the nation.
It used to be, when farm kids went back to school in the Fall, they got a welcome break from the manual labor at home and entered an environment of intellectual stimulation. School was were they were exposed to the wider world and inspired to go beyond the farm.
Today, home is a sanctuary for kids and school is a place of drudgery. Even the buildings themselves are falling apart. Kids get a richer educational environment in their homes, especially if their parents are educated. Going to school is a step down, for many of today's kids, not a step up. That is why so many educated parents choose homeschooling. America really needs to focus on improving the lives of our kids, if we want to be successful as a nation.
30 years of "starving the beast" has produced aging, worn out and inferior schools despite the best efforts of local communities, crumbling infrastructure and the anti-tax drumbeat has eliminated the American way of thinking--that doing collective good means a brighter tomorrow for everyone regardless of party affiliation.
Amy and Jody--right on! If our country is going to regain its "American exceptionalism" (as the TP/GOP insists we still have), we will need to vastly improve our education system. Our children are our future, and what could be a better investment than in our future as a nation. Innovation and discovery often come as "chance observation of a trained mind." Without trained minds, as we are seeing today, the US will continue its slide into third world status. We already have an infant mortality rate higher than many countries that are considered to be third world, and much higher than than the industrialized nations, of which we consider ourseves to be part (see The Commonwealth Fund website for the "scorecard" of statistics). We should be outraged over that! Instead, TP/GOP applaud the number of prisoners put to death in Texas and refusal of healthcare services to people without insurance (just let them die). Interesting from those who purport to believe in the sanctity of life. But I guess "sanctity of life" refers only to the unborn, and not to any other part of life, the things that will actually improve life, or the quality of life.
I agree that we need to work together to solve our problems--and that means compromise--not "I got 98% of what I wanted." The future of our nation is at stake.
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Back when people went to school to get an education the state, county, and local community paid for the schools not the federal government. That was before we became socialists. Thnks for nothing moonbats.
The corporate lobby through the Chamber of Commerce will successfully turn this country into a cheap labor third world country. NY9 shows how people vote agains their own best interest. Jews who are Americans voted against another Jew because someone sold them a bill of good. As if the U.S.A. exists to take care of Jews only and to he#$ with Muslims or Hindus or.... Give me a break! I am with General Petreus on this issue. Protecting Isreal is a priority but not if their selfishness comes at the expense of American soldier's lives. I realize NY9 wasn't worth the effort for a seat that will only exist for a year but still, WAKE UP AMERICA!
Bob,
When did we become socialists?
It's not the federal government's job to repair/build schools, that is the responsibility of the state, and local governments that is why they have the power to raise taxes. We should take the millions of dollars to run the Department of Education and return it to the states. The responsibility of educating our children are the state and local governments/school districts. It was the local school districts and states that spent the money on foolish things and not on building maintenance.
Get the federal government out of our education system. The federal "one size fits all" has done more harm to our education and will continue to do so as long as politicians think they know better.
"Back when people went to school to get an education the state, county, and local community paid for the schools not the federal government. That was before we became socialists."
That's how we do things in Canada too - schools are built and administered by the county. The Provincial governments provide the funding from the provincial portion of our taxes and set regulations and standards. We are such Socialists. :s
I remember when little Black Kids were not allowed to go to white only schools in some states. Thank God that the government stepped in to correct this issue.
It was Al Gores father and Senator Robert Byrd who fought like hell to keep schools segregated to name just two. Both were Democrats. The Democratic party has done more harm to minorities by making entitlements and give-aways part of their culture instead of showing them the way into the job market. The Democrats only goal is to make sure we become a nanny state and keeping a certain segment of society dependent on the Federal government. Therefore " Vote for me, I'll keep those monthly checks coming". Keep them scared and hungry, that's the Democratic ideology. Now Democrats want to expand it to ILLEGAL immigrants to build their voter base. And guess who's paying for it? It matters not whether you are a liberal or a conservative. If you work for a living, you pay for it. Nice huh?
I'm so relieved that I know that so many on the right think the one of the President's perks is he gets to be omnipotent, and can fix, or break, all things. While I'm sorry that Solyndra tanked .... I'm even sorrier that 20 times the loan amounts we'll likely lose out on was WASTED on cluster effed paths like Etahnol and hydrogen .... one not even a good band aid and hydrogen ????? no one will build card until they can be fueled anywhere and everywhere, and no one will build fueling sites until there are cars .... 10 effin BILLION down the tubes there ... and whose BIG idea was that ? can you say repubs ? Everybody screws up .... even when looking for solutions to really complex problems ... better to try and fail than do nothing .... repubs should particularly mull that one over.
So now we have an effort by the Prez to deal with those who have NOT been visited by the grace of the 'job creators' ... it's not like there are all that many options, so what's being proposed is worth a try. None can rationally want the alternative, and the fix it projects have needed attention for decades ... too bad some levee projects can't be done as well. The States are equally being hammered ... and no we can't let let a large number of public employees go ... what they do is too vital.
I have to admit I would have liked to see something a bit different happen, like $100 Billion go into putting many alternative energy sites online, that could have employed tens of thousands of unemployed, taught new shkills, and created power that could be sold into the grid so we'd get long term revenue in return ... we're already in the power game with all the hydro electric dams built for decades in the west. At 3-4 Million per megawatt, and that's enough to power 700 homes for a year, a hundred billion could create 30,000 Megawatts .... that's a LOT of houses ... and at rates of 7-10 cents per kilowatt hour coming in .... not a bad deal.
Oops ..I goofed our education is funded both by local property taxes and provincial taxes.
I'm sure the answer to any issue is to throw federal money at it. Let the cities and states handle school money. They do a better job. I didn't say good job, though.