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An Obama Administration: Are you Serious? Part II; A trillion-dollar stimulus package…
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President Barack H. Obama (D)
The largest fiscal policy package in US history, seems to not actually stimulate anything?
“Without swift passage of this stimulus bill, an economy that is already in crisis, shall be faced with catastrophe. The time for talk is over; the time for action is NOW!”-President Barack Obama
This from a President that has been in campaign mode the past few weeks, in order to try and sway public opinion that has been in serious decline, in regards to a hefty stimulus package, which has been the staple of a freshman administration. Yet no matter what your thoughts and/or opinions, of this 1,100 page, $787-billion package, as of late last night, the United States Congress has passed the measure, H.R. 1, the largest fiscal policy in American history.
“They cannot hold the President of the United States hostage; and if they think they can rewrite this bill, they’ve got another thing coming!”-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in reference to those questioning this package.
How we got here: The Senate “burned the midnight oil”, at least that was the sentiment of Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV), this past week where they passed a $838-billion version of the Stimulus, only after the House had passed a $819-billion version of their own. Thereafter a conference committee was established, consisting of House and Senate leader conferees, with no input from the minority party at all mind you, the rushed version of a $787-billion major fiscal economic package was passed and ready for signature, in order to fit the timetable of ‘Czar’ Obama, who wanted it ready for his signature on Presidents’ Day.
Are You Serious?
“They [Senators] are making this up as we go, while President Obama is AWOL, in providing leadership!” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham
This important policy, as previously mentioned reads as a 1,071 page novel, was only given to the minority members, press and others, less than 24-hrs before its final passage. This after a Congressional unanimous vote, allowing for a 48-hr window of preparation and study of this expansive and very detailed plan, was never actually taken into serious consideration. Still being modified and revised all the way up until the actual floor vote, this bill is not seen as a savior to our financial system or the current recession, by any major or credible economist.
Are You Serious?
“While a number of Blue Dogs [Democrats] voted against the package considered in the House, many of those who did support it did so with serious reservations!”-B.Dog Leadership letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi
The passage of this legislation, that upon its initial vote in each chamber, along with the final vote, was party based and primarily voted upon based on party principles. With all the House Republicans voting against the measure, both for the original House measure along with the final bill for passage, the only way the Senate version was passed was based on three moderate Republicans. Senators Snowe and Collins from Maine, along with Spector from Pennsylvania, provided the Democrats the added votes needed for a super-majority (3/5) vote for passage. Though they held hostage this bill, for a few added measures of assistance, along with some parts that were extracted from the majority parties planned policy, in the end they essentially broke the party line, in order to provide this “relief” package for the citizens of this Country.
Are You Serious?
“I don’t think Capital Hill speaks for what we’re for and what we’re against; Mr. Obama is not a Senator, nor is he a member of the House. He is the President of the United States!”-White House Press Secretary Gibbs
The stimulus package originally proposed by President Obama, proposed several items to stimulate an economy, such as tax-relief cuts for single and married couples, added measures of increase in SSI benefits, food stamps, an extension to unemployment payments with an added $25, along with health benefit services being extended to such individuals. This of course with more that many, primarily the minority party, have raised the issue of being added pork-barrel expenditures, which are no more than Democratic wish list expenses. However despite the partisan rhetoric by either party, which by the way the Republicans are aggressively winning, the People need relief and serious assistance, despite which Party takes claim not worrying about who gets the best line to use in their direct mailing piece.
Are You Serious?
As President Obama put it, “what Americans expect from Washington is action that matches the urgency they feel in their daily lives -- action that's swift, bold and wise enough for us to climb out of this crisis!"
Attached below are the vote counts from each chamber for final passage of H.R. 1, the Economic Stimulus Package. Also attached and pasted below, is the aid given specifically to Maryland and the link for all the States’ aid, along with a link to the Baltimore Sun, which has stated in today’s paper that MD. Officials plan to spend $65-million dollars of the stimulus aid to Maryland, for 100 hybrid diesel-electric buses. Tell me what you think of this Stimulus package, its passage and the aid set aside for Maryland, also what you think we, as a State, should do with the much needed assistance?
(Maryland Economic Assistance from Federal Stimulus Package, H.R. 1)
Maryland | 1,164,104,000 | 206.64 | 293,752,000 | 52.14 | 34,576,551 | 6.14 | 782,049,143 | 138.82 |
Winners/Losers (State w/Most; State w/Least, to gain by Federal Stimulus Package, H.R. 1)
California | 7,854,800,000 |
District of Columbia | 118,130,000 |
Maryland will use money from the economic stimulus plan to purchase 100 hybrid diesel-electric buses, state officials said yesterday. The purchase of the fuel-saving vehicles had been on hold because of a shortfall in the state's Transportation Trust Fund. The $65 million purchase will more than double the number of hybrid vehicles in the Maryland Transit Administration's bus fleet. The MTA has 10 hybrids in service, with 30 more to be on the street by summer and now another 100 to come. Hybrid buses, which use a technology not unlike a Toyota Prius, are less noisy, cleaner and more fuel-efficient than traditional diesel-powered vehicles. MTA officials said the 10 hybrids in service since 2006 go twice as many miles as diesel buses before they have to be brought into the shop for repairs.
FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 70
(Democrats in roman; Republicans in italic; Independents underlined)
H R 1 YEA-AND-NAY 13-Feb-2009 2:24 PM
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Conference Report
BILL TITLE: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year ending 2009
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111th Congress - 1st Session
as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
Vote Summary
Question: | |||
Vote Number: | 64 | Vote Date: | February 13, 2009, 05:29 PM |
Required For Majority: | 3/5 | Vote Result: | Conference Report Agreed to |
Measure Number: | H.R. 1 (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ) | ||
Measure Title: | A bill making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. | ||
Vote Counts: | YEAs | 60 |
NAYs | 38 | |
Not Voting | 1 |
For more info: On the this and ALL things Political you may email me at brothahassan@yahoo.com or check out MY site at http://giordano.weebly.com
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