Stimulus = spend money on U.S. products and pay U.S. workers for services. So why NOT fund a contraception program or put sod on the capital mall? What am I missing?...these are good ideas and they would spend money right here in the U.S.

Rick,

Clarify something for me. Has Blago been formally charged with anything or is all of this "feeding frenzy" based on some leaked tapes which quite frankly contain a lot of innuendo but very little in the way of proveable hard facts.

Now I am not for one moment defending Blago but neither am I condeming him because HE HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY CHARGED WIITH ANYTHING. The government has been doing a lot of leaking and not much else. WHERE"S THE BEEF?

The fact that he is currently undergoing an impeachment by a group of self-rightous, self-serving legislators whose only criteria at the present is only their own personal opinion rather than provable facts amounts to a circus.

I find it disappointing that you as a news anchor have also jumped on the "feeding bandwagon" and find it appropriate to dispense mucho innuendo and have nuanced a position on the mans guilt instead of digging up the hard facts and reporting them.

You and I may feel that the man is a slimeball but even slimeballs are entitled to be tried in a court of law instead of a TV anchors court of personal opinion.

Well the $timulu$ package passed and the GOP still thinks this all about them! We wouldn't be in this Gop-lish mess if it wasn't for you and all your corporate-wallstreet bed partners.

Once again GOP . . .straight out of Merriam-Websters pages, . . .
Main Entry: ac·count·abil·i·ty
Pronunciation: \ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\
Function: noun
Date: 1794
: the quality or state of being accountable ; especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions

Look in to it you educated morons.

Allen Maes, Oregon City, Oregon

There’s no doubt that the idea of the new stimulus package is to stimulate the collapse of the American dollar. Soon or later, the Federal Bank has to take action of a new declaration, “The Major Force” that permits the united of the American dollar with the Canadian money and the Mexican currency to create the "Amero.” Our future depends of a new and powerful American Currency.

Antuan

I enjoy your program: it is attuned to the issue of the day. Lots of light, little heat. During the debate I noted that CNN has had mostly Republican opponents of the Stimulus Pack and few, repeat few Democrats. Actually the balance favoured Republican naysayers. So, tell me: are your CNN bookers still of the view that the Republicans are in charge; are they finding it difficult to books Democrats? Or are they leaving it all to Blitzer and the "Best???"

Seriously, Republican Talking Points are repeated word for word. That is not reporting by CNN. just stenography channeled through CNN.

Hi Rick, iwas wrestling in my mind who @cnn would best to delve into the reason why the Republicans voted in a block against Pres. Obama"s stimulus plan?I realize that repulicans have an ideology that they must stay true to and that is all fine and well but Rick this reeks of POLITICS! and it STINKS!!!!!!! I use to feel kinship to the repulicans but now i don't know,the more i look @ them the more i realize they are not the party of the future, they just seem backward,scheming POLITICAL!!!!!!!

Politicians are now saying extended unemployment benefits
will immediately effect the economy? My monthly house/rent
payment and electric/gas are more then my total monthly unemployment benefit DO THE MATH DUMMIES.
In addition, anyone with any history of problems paying bills on
time is disqualified from getting a loan from any bank........
Stimulus for who.......

i think both dommacraft and republican need to bring god words into
both party and be one. and they should pray every morning.

Rick,
Although I am a firm believer in not throwing good money after bad, referring to bailouts, But I do think it is about time we pump some money into our infostructure. That helps everyone. We had 8 years of pumping all our money into Halliburtans pocket for a useless oil war . Now the economic shift has people questioning? I don't get it.

I wonder since my Rep. is part of the "back to basics" Gop and voted against the bill. If he would consider asking our district not accept any of this money. I am sure our two GOP commisioners would go along.

Deschutes County Oregon

Hello Rick, I was wondering if there is anyway you can find out why the IRS feel it is necessary to keep our stimulus check and credit it towards what is owed to them.Yes i owe them money ,but i have been paying what i owe for the past 3yrs through my payroll deduction, so i really think that applying my stimulus money towards my bill is unfair. I believe that the stimulus package is meant to help us because of the failing economy and I am concerned that the same thing will happen again with the second stimulus pakage only this time my fincail situation is worst as i went from full-time to part-time employment. I would really appreciate it if you would address this issue as i believe that the IRS is abusing their authority. Thanks
B Johnson.

p.s. I enjoy your show everyday.

What specifically from the "stimulus plan" will provide tax relief for the millions of Retirees who are paying federal taxes from their pension?
Retirees are still paying taxes on "fixed incomes"!

Also, I say an effective stimulus plan for consumers should be income tax writeoff/relief for the interest/finance charges, sales & use taxes, we had this decades ago! This could provides tax credits for people who need to purchase vehicles, plus stimulate car purchase. Auto incentives are enough to stimulate consumer confidence. it"s about tax relief where ever we can get it!

Thank you,

Signed,
Retiree, Consumer and CNN viewer

A stimulus is supposed to stimulate the economy. I don't see this bill accomplishing that. What I do see is billions of dollars given to the banks and brokerage houses of friends and former employers. None of this money should be wasted. And I fear much of it will.

Correction from my previous email:

Also, I say an effective stimulus plan for consumers should be income tax writeoff/relief for the interest/finance charges, sales & use taxes, we had this decades ago! This could provides tax credits for people who need to purchase vehicles, plus stimulate car purchase. Auto incentives are 'NOT' enough to stimulate consumer confidence. it”s about tax relief where ever we can get it!

Thank you
E Geary

My view on the stimulus package is: we voted Barack Obama into office because we believed in his vision on what will help this country. The republicans ideas set the econonmy on a path that needs recovery so thier ideas and their opposition to the Presidents's package is a waste of time.

Well, just listened to Rod Blagojevich, and I am stunned. I believe he should be impeached, but now I am wondering who else should go with him.

I would like to read this package myself. I'm not sure congress is doing that, I don't think most of them read the TARP that was passed last time. I think President Obama is trying his best to lead this country out of the worst crisis since the Great Depression. He needs 100 percent of our support. I do believe he is open minded and willing to listen to congress on both sides. I get tired of hearing the press talk down about helping the poor in this country. The jobless numbers reported are only the tip of the iceburg. I know numerous people who have been jobless for a year or more, who are drawing no benefits so they don't count in those numbers. Where I live there aren't any jobs to be had. What are those people to do? Do they just not matter? I know many who are homeless, which is sad in a country of such wealth. The sadest part of this is I live in a very small city. There are public housing apartments empty, but many of the people I refer to don't qualify. My county, and this country need reform, I hope our leaders will address these kind of issues soon.

Hey GOP!
The USA isn't the only populous that voted for Obama and a humane direction, WAKE UP the world voted for Obama. What rock are you people living under?
Clue #1: With or without you, Americans and our newly found voices will make the changes for our children's futures. One thing you might even understand is that you don't mess with a man's family and the past administration did just that! Now we will collect the what you owe us Americans and the world. Even if it takes several generations to do it. You have left us with no other choice.
Now take your ball, go home and cry you sore loosers!

A. Maes

Hi Rick,
Just joined you on twitter. I kinda wonder about this Blago man? He seems genuine. Don't you think people try to tie Blago's issue with the new administration and failed.

Hi Rick. I am surprised you have not mentioned the Citi Group purchase of a Corporate Jet with the taxpayers money the Congress approved for other needs. The President Obama said: " That is inadmissible" Let me tell you, if that is inadmissible why doesn't he do some thing about it and set an example for the other beggers. Or what Obama said is:" INADVISABLE" and if this is the case everything will be fine and dandy. Next time Citi Group will purchase a Corporate Yatch. Well we are talking only $ 50M. No big deal.
Stay well.

First i would like to say I voted for the president. But where is the CHANGE ? I would like to say that we should not pass the stimulas package. There is to much in here that is not going to improve the ecomony. We do not need to fix the grass at the wahington mall, we do not need at this time to fix Smithsonian. We do not need birth control. What we have been discussing around here is COMMON SENSE FAST FIX. You give all LEGAL AMERICANS over 18 $100,000. In turn we will pay off our houses or sell and purchase new one. This fixes housing market and puts money to the banks. We would pay off credit cards – fixes credit crisis and again banks crisis. We would sell or buy cars; therefore fixing the automaker crisis and again the banks. people back to work in auto industry to supply cars. There would be shopping in general economic crisis fixed. NONE of this TRICKLE DOWN that we will never see working for two years. This issue needs FAST ATTENTION and this is the QUICKEST AND MOST COMMON SENSE WAY TO FIX IT ALL FAST!!!!!!!!!!!.

Thank you
Just thought i would pass on what us common folks are thinking.

Heidi

Hello Rick,
I want to ask why is the economic stimulus not heading directly to homeowners in this country. I saw the report recently describing how many homeowners are under water in there value of home. I came to a conclusion that why not give the 75 million homeowners in the country a check for 20 thousand dollars, this would cost 1.5 trillion dollars but imagine how useful this would be for the economy at large. The interest rates are low and this would allow for some homeowners to get under there value of home in order to sell or allow for properties to get fixed up to sell. This would seem to be a win-win opportunity for the credit crunch and free up the market for those thrifty Americans to pump money into the system. Again this would cost 1.5 trillion at 20 thousand for all 75 million homeowners and this seems more efficient than giving to banks and industries that keep this and then release employees. Thank You and would love to get some form of response on this topic! I believe that the people can manage this crisis away more than ideology that is not proven.

Tax cuts for the rich are spending on the rich.

So much for tax cuts for Georgians. Our governor wants to do away with the homestead exemption for homeowners. If other states do similar things by cutting exemptions or adding taxes to cover state budgets the stimulus cuts won't do much.

Republicans are rich so they want more government spending on the rich or in there terms more tax cuts for the rich.

Not enough money on the interstucture, and to much money on tax cuts and other pork projects.

With this stimulus one of the Government projects can be building a wall at the boarder. make it deep and tall. Then, they can give all the ILLEGAL immigrants the boot. That should open up some more jobs for Americans. I'm a registered democratic, but I still support the wall and kicking out and keeping out ILLEGAL immigrants. If they want to work here, go through INS like the honest immigrants do.

I;d like to know how this middle class 95% of americans tax cut is going to boost the economy. the alternatives thus far are ridiculous - a one-time check of $500 – $1.000 or a payroll tax cut of maybe $12.00 a week, Noone will be spending. They will be paying bills. Be more creative and realistic - eliminate for a time federal income tax –

Regarding the tax cut by reducing withholding amount. This
does nothing to help people who are
1. unemployed
2.. retired
3. get disability

Only question about Blago is, since this appears to have happend during his first term, did the facts come out before or after the 2nd term election. If after okay, but if prior it looks like politics by Il. congress setting aside the peoples vote. Without proof of selling Pres. Obama's seat, they shouldn't impeach until the criminal case is settled.

The delusional King of Non Sequitur.

I think the viewers need to be schooled about "impeachment". Blago has already been impeached. They are voting today to convict him of those articles of impeachment. Just being impeached does not get you removed from office.

$300+ million dollars for STD education is crazy! Tell kids in health class "use protection". Just saved over $300 million that easy!

Rick,
Many of my friends and myself have been debating over the stimulus the gov't proposes to offer and all of our debating seems to lead back to one basic question I would like you to help me with. Why is it so simple for the gov't to hand out billions to failing banks/ins.co's and so hard for them to send us,the people,back the money they take from us and allow us to spend the money as we see fit ? Would'nt a couple thousand dollars extra per family go a long way to help stimulate growth? Extra income would go a long way to help people buy cars, homes,clothing, food...
From where I sit, the money we have given the banks and Aig has'nt gotten us anywhere,it's bought banks and planes but no relief !!!

If Blago was going to vomit – you should have filmed it from his home bathroom !!

Got to love it!!! Justice for Rod.
"DEAD MAN WALKING"

hi rick
i have a question for you.
america is promoting democracy all around the world as the best political envoirment to run a country.
so i ask then why did the republicans all of them vote no to the stimulis package,it is very clear to me that each individual did not think in the democratic way that they are pushing all over the world.
they obviuosly got the word to vote against it,so to me that sounds like a dictatorship,i think its time for these politicians to get out of there sand box and grow up,and have an independant mind,its obsurd in the state of the economy that they dont have a mind of there own,
these sour grape politics have to stop rick

BLAGO's Speech – I was expecting at the least little Haiku !!

I feel this is ugly and blagoavich is merely a scape goat, and it seems like they are railroading him

Candice – the is no easter bunny

I heard a blurb this morning that Blago didn't hold one cabnet meeting during his entire 1st term !!

Well, just keep handing out, and wasting the peoples money!!! Whine and cry, the whole time you politicians are killing the country. WHY IS IT NOT EASY FOR YOU ALL TO UNDERSTAND, IF YOU GAVE IT TO THE PEOPLE. THE ECONOMY WOULD BE FIXED YESTERDAY, THEY WOULD SPEND,SPEND,SPEND. NOT PUT IT IN THEIR BRIEFCASES,LOL! BUT WAIT! MAYBE THEY DO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING! WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO INPOWER THE PEOPLE,, AFTER ALL IT IS THE PEOPLES MONEY, SO WHY WOULD THE POLITICIANS VOTE TO GIVE IT TO THEM, DUH!

Hey Rick,

Our company closed down about 2 months ago. Most of us are either citizens or Green card holders which makes us eligible for unemployment benefits. But unfortunately a few are still on H1 and so are not eligible for unemployment. So please tell me where is the fairness here because they also pay taxes like all others and the company has paid their unemployment insurance to the government too. Why is it that when we owe something to the government the immigration status doesn't matter but when the Government owes us something all these questions arise? Is there a way Government can help such tax paying, hard working, sincere immigrants?

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer !!

The Republicans need a makeover. First change the name to the Obstructionist party.

700 Billion Bailout + 816 Stimulus / 305,710,000(population) = $4,958 per man, woman & child. That's nearly 10K for my wife and I. Send it on, well pay some bills (keep business' afloat) and take a vacation inside the US (keep service employees employed!). All that after you probably get some of it back as income tax (that can go toward infrustructue). Just a thought

I think CNN should give all polititians a watch. then when CNN says 15 min , we won't be waiting for hour(s) !!

rick – i like your idea – they can give us AMERIBUCKS that cant be used outside the US

Hi Rick, Since we have the worlds largest natural gas supply why don't we gear up for natural gas drilling. (jobs).Convert all vehicles to natural gas (jobs) .Build Filling stations (jobs). What do you think? Job Stimulus! And clean air!

The stimulus, not change but business, TAX & SPEND. We need someone in there who can bring about real change, not empty promises.

john – most of the gass can come from the bloviating in congress!!

Will congress legislate harsher laws against Wall Street "types"? It seems like most of the talk is just that: talk. We keep telling them: don't do this. And they just keeping nodding their heads while grabbing from the candy jar. Isn't it like trying to parent a child and thinking that speaking is enough to discipline the child.

The republicans are all like broken records and if Obama's plan works there going to look like the boobs they are. Only with eqq all over there face's, couldn't happen to a dumber bunch of jerks.

There are atleast 350,000,000 citizens in the U.S.
Why don't you just give every eligable citizen 250,000 dollars
and they can pay anything off and still have for alittle investment .
They can payoff a house, car, college, and other issues that are important, even credit cards and I tell you that it won't even pinch the money the government has.Its a real stimulus, because my unemployment aint cutting it.

The Republicans are acting like small children. There way or no way. stomping their feet and throwing tantrums. They have their own agenda (money in their pockets) and not really thinking of all the American people. I can see where President Obama will have his hands full in dealing with these stubborn men.

To the Republicans, grow up, and stop thinking of yourselves, and respect your Presidents' decision. He is full-filling is campaign promise to the American people.

On infrastructure, my wife says build a pipeline along major highways so when there is flooding in one area of the country the excess water can be pumped to other areas that are in a drought or are fighting massive fires. Creates tons of jobs and keeps jobs for those running the system. Resevoirs around the country would store excess and could even be used for public recreation (creating even more jobs). By building along existing highways right of way cost and acquisition time would be minimal. Just gotta think out of the box.

I came in late on the Preident's conference. He said it is wrong for the bankers to give themselves the bonuses that they did. Did he say that he is getting the bonus back from the bankers? If he doesn't is that setting a double standard between the Bankers and Automotive companies.

Rick,

Is there any provision in this 819 Billion dollars package for extending unemployment benefits thru the rest of 2009?.

Thank you

Explain to me how giving tax cuts so people can go to Wall Mart and buy Chinees products stimulates our economy?

Ricardo, 250,000 only makes money available to 6 million people. That leaves around 344 million without. What would be the criteria to make someone eligible? Not that I wouldn't like 250K.

Rick:

Maybe the GOP in the house are trying to tell people that they are NOT necessarily against the President, but they are against the arrogance of the Dems, specifically Polesi. I think her SMIRK, says it all!!

HI RICK, I AM SPEECHLESS AND THROUGHLY DISCUSTED WITH ALL THIS . TO THINK THE UNITED STATES COULD COME TO THIS IS UNIMAGINEABLE,AND TO THINK THIS STIMULAS PLAN IS FOR THE PEOPLE IS REDICULOUS.WHAT I WANT TO SEE IS THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THEIR JOB BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING AND ALL I HEAR IS THE SAME TIRED BULL____.

Please Help me understand.
Regarding the impeachment of Blagoavich.
It appears he has paid his dues in education and in Washington as a legitimate Governor. The people have Illinois have voted him to office twice. So from what I'm hearing is the house and senate are being referred to as a club or fertility not a Government and the club has appointed some sort of overseer as a club member. This overseer was not an elected official but an appointed official. Can I assume he is like a hired gun???
Did the people that voted the Governor into office hire him???
Is this club part of the US Government???
Where despite what the people of Illinois think the club can get rid of him??? Without a chance to even defined him self???
What country is Illinois in???
Oh now I remember... the one that use to have Mr. Bush for president.
I think before he was President that country use to be a democracy.

Rick
I live in Arizona so I really don’t know if he should Go or Stay.
But watching the process, no wonder the latest pole shows that 50% of the People living in that country wouldn’t mind leaving,
I assume to try and find the United states of America.

Peace
Tommy

HI RICK,TO ME THESE PEOPLE WILL DO ANTHING TO GAIN ATTENTION AND SYMPATHY,THEY ARE SO SELF ABSORBED THAT THEY WILL AIR THEIR DIRTY LINEN,AS MY MOTHER CALLED IT EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR DIGNITY.WE ALL HAVE OUR DIRTY LINEN BUT TO AIR IT TO THE WORLD IS DISGUSTING.

HI Rick, Have you ever heard of the windfall/offset? A few states have this. Those of us who worked for the federal government, schools, etc. lose 2/3 of our social security when we retire. I was not a teacher, I worked in the school caferteria part time, I am a widow, I lost 2/3 of my husband's social security, this is hurting me very much. Is there some way we can get this turned around and get our full social security? The last I heard it was setting in the Ways and Means Committe, nothing ever gets done about changing this. I would appreciate any discussion you would have about this. Thank you very much.
Carol

The stimulus plan includes 5 billion for ACORN. Talk about payback!! Tax-breaks would put money back into the hands of working people sooner and easier. And As long as most money goes into paying credit cards off little will go back into the economy. Very litle has been set aside for bridges and roads. Most has gone to pet projects and silly stuff. Pork projects could better help the economy if done right. The stimulus bill as I read it is bad. No better than George Bush and some of his dealings. The best way to help the economy is to make Wal-Mart raise its prices so small business can grow. Until that happens what ever the gov does will have little effect.

how does this pay for work plan help retired and disabled people? I have CML plus MS and thus yes against my wishes I am retired and as such do not collect a paycheck

Helen,

You're exactly right. All these things create work. Work is done by laborers who collect paychecks and spend the money on goods and services. On the other hand, more tax cuts for the rich go to people who already have more than they need. They invest the money with Madoff and the rest is history. More tax cuts? That tired refrain has been proven wrong since Reagan's muddled reign. When have tax cuts ever created a job? As GHW Bush once called it, that is "Voodoo economics". It is fantasy. It doesn't work and never has.

Did I hear correctly that the Economic Stimulus package only includes $12-$14 more a week for people working and making less than $75,000 a year? What about people making more than $75,000 – $150,000. I thought the President, said during his campaign, this is considered middle class. Supposedly, the $12-$14 more a week for a working person are the tax cuts the democrats have been referring to. If this is not correct, would you tell me how much more money will be put into the middle class pocket with the new tax cuts. If this is true, why would the President and Democrats think everyone will now go out and spend with only about $50 more a month? I'm sure other people are in the same situation as I am. My property taxes will be increasing and spring time is coming so of course the gas prices will be increasing. In between those two things, I've spent that $50 and more. I appreciate the $50, but if they want me to purchase a large ticket item or to keep regulary spending, I need more than $50 a month.

If the government wants the everyday consumer to start spending, why not withhold less federal income tax. I'm sure if a person had an extra $400 – $500 a month or more they may be inclined to spend. If I received at least that amount of an increase, I might get rid of my 10+ year old car and buy a new one.

Since I mentioned the auto industry, I don't understand how the auto industries are going to pay back their loan to the government if people are not buying cars. With $50 more a month, I may be getting, I certainly won't be buying a car.

I am glad the President is creating jobs. We do need jobs, but even if a person has a job or gets a job that doesn't mean they are going to go out and now spend. A person needs a job, but also needs more than $50 a month to justify spending more with it costing more to live and not to mention the huge hits everyone's 401k's have taken. If this is all the tax cuts for low and middle class citizens that President Obama is including in the bill, it is very disappointing. I voted for him and voted for majority Democrats. I felt from what I heard and saw that President Obama and majority Democrats were the best choice and had a deep understanding and vision of how difficult it is for people to pay their bills and the fact that the dollar doesn't go as far as it used to. I hope my vote wasn't wrong and they show it by actions not just words.

As a member of the "working poor", I was hoping the stimulus package would help those of us who now find basic needs such as electricity a luxury. We make just a little too much for any assistance.
Some of us don't make enough to even think of buying a home or car.

Why do we give money or tax cuts to those who only abuse it. I work for a small business who has benefited from tax cuts under Bush and it never "trickled" down to me. Now they are laying people off and taking hours away from those of us left.

When is someone going to get tough with banks and credit card companies who rip off the American people everyday? Their power is completely out of hand.

It's mind boggling how much money is really out there, yet there isn't enough. We pay movie stars, atheletes, CEO's and talk show hosts obscene amounts of money. When are they going to suffer? TOO MUCH GREED!

Rick,
How many of us can comment enough??? Another tax cut, another request for defense spending to help the Halliburton buddies, etc. Is this a freakin broken record or what?

Here's what I think, Obama presents his bills and plans to the democrats in the Senate and House, they vote and we allow the republicans a time out to get their "you know what together"! Obviously they could care less about American's – what is really going on in this country right now – and well we just don't need their downer attitudes.

It's time for us to support and defend a President who is trying for a change to help us – let's just get rid of those idiots on the other side – we already know what they want and really isn't that why we are all in need of a job, trying to keep our houses and watching the greatest country in the world go down the toilet. Oh yeah we really need another republican idea don't we?

Would someone please explain why with the urgency to spend money and create job, why no one has suggested to downsize the H1B program. Thousands of jobs would be created immediately at absolutely NO cost to the taxpayers. Would someone please explain?

I get a kid out of how some of you dump on the idea of using some of the stimulus to help people stop smoking. I understand that the government has given the green light to hate and discrimminate against smokers, but one has to remember that for decades billions if not trillions of dollars have been brought into the government coffers from taxes leveled on smokers. If you look at the drug problems and the programs that get government monies every year to help people that are addicted to what ever drug they use. and not one penny of tax ever came from the sale of drugs. Then again that just might be it, if you stop every one from smoking heck there would be no more cash cow for the government. Of coarse they must be making a good buck of the stuff they are bringing back from afganistan and selling to the kids on the steets and then giving money to groups to help them get off the stuff. And if you all go. OOOOOOO heres another government conspiracy nut just think of this, the government says that the taliban get their weapons from the sale of heroin or the poppy crop that has flourished there since the invasion, if they really wanted to stop the taliban then all they would have to do is distroy the crops hence no more money for weapons for the taliban.

Unfortunately, Obama sounds as though he is still compaigning and everytime he opens his mouth about the dire circumstances of the economy, and saying that there isn't a minute to spare before dumping 850 billion to "rescue" the economy, the DOW plummets. This is where his inexperience is obvious and everyone is being hurt by it.

Why isn't the news all over the fact that our congress/senate repeatedly vote themselves pay raises each yr. For a do-nothing bunch of folks, why do they deserve pay raises???? Kind of like the CEO's they're decrying, isn't it?????

Today,is the 11th day of President Obama's first 100.He did as he said he would do,hit the ground running.Seems the constuancy is low on patience and the RNC'S are into "payback" or Partisanship,big time.

True,there are some things in the first,overly wordy bill,that do not seem to have much to do with stimulus.Personally,I would like to see much more,roads,bridges and electric rewiring.The Schools could also wait until we get more on the up swing.Putting a cap on Wal-Mart might encourage some of the Mom and Pop businesses,return,or try to,at least.Get well Rick...GOD BLESS.

The GOP's actions are symptomatic of the current state of their party.
It's leaders should first acknowledge that during the past eight years, for at least 6 of those years, they did have carte blanche when it came to policy making. They began with a surplus and ended up handing a debt ridden gov't to the current administration. What makes them think that their policy of tax reduction, especially at a time of a two front war, is the right policy? If that were the case, These United States would not be in a recession and looking down the barrel at a depression.
If the elected republican officials were truly concerned about this country and it's citizens, there would be constructive discussions in progress, and not these childish, wining statements I have been seeing in print and listening to on t.v. GOP.......... GROW UP

Hey TJ/Rick Sanchez it's unbelievable on how i hear about the stimulous bill giving people of America $25 per paycheck but what about the people who don't get paychecks and are unemployment benefits. How do they get stimulous?? I feel they should give Americans anywhere from 15-25k and let them pay bills, food, mortages, rent, and any other things that are effecting the economy. This will give Obama's people time to get things done and direct relief to the American people (that doesn't need Bipartianship help)

If people would take off their party hats they would realize this situation with the economy has been a long time in the making, and both parties are to blame for no oversight or accountability. One thing that should be crystal clear is that the government is not the answer to all our problems and that congress doesn't know any more than any one else on how to fix the problems except throw money at it.

Our public men are speaking every day on something, but they ain't saying anything.
~ Will Rogers

It's a shame how everyone is playing word games from the Republicans and Democrats to portray a stimulous plan. How does the stimulous help the people who's out of work and getting benefits or people losing houses' out of work and companies laying of people in the thousands. It makes no sense whatsoever to try and get relief years down the road when people need it now. You see and hear people of America struggling and all they can do is talk about debating about taxes hear and there. American people can careless who votes for the stimulous they just want help and it still seems the tight rope walking is working in Washington. They are so worried about keeping there jobs there scared to make the right dedcisions for the people of America.

I'm the middle class, I'm female, hIspanic, and work hard, I don't take hand outs. I'm independent, I don't need BO's enabling policies. He is sooo wrong for the middle class. Conservatives think of the future, they don't dwell in the past. BO is living in the past. Conservatives are back. THANK GOD. I'm so proud of them after yesterday. BTW, Michael Steele WON!! Michael is soooooo much SMARTER than BO. But because he's not a DEMOCRAT, we" probably see the MEDIA(proganda) diminish Michaels victory. Bring it on. MSNBC–CNN, The propaganda of the northeastern is no match for us thinkers. Bunch of alarmist on the DEMS...Gore, BO..Gibbs...Biden.

Rick Sanchez,
Get well soon!
We miss you
Thanks to you you we switched to CNN
Que Dios te bendiga

Rick, we along w/ RUSH don't want BO's policies to be put in play. Not good for us, the middle class. I don't know what middle class Bo is talking about. Remember, he only people hung out w/ the RADICALS on the left, so need I say more. He is sooo misinformed. "I hope he fails"

The stimulus bill is almost all pork. Think if each portion was voted on seprately they would be exposed as not really having any thing to do with stimus at all. It is kind of like needing a inexpesive car to get back and forth economically and the guy tries to sell you a one with gps, all leather custom seats, top of the line stereo cd player, high performance engin package, custom paint job, expensive rims, 100,000 mile tires (you get the idea) All we needed was an affordable / economic car. Instead we got all kinds of add-ons we didn't need or payments we didn;t need and for sure could not afford.

It really is like buying a home you can;t afford (sort of the root cause of the problem) only on a much much larger scale. Just because there isn;t any payments due yet when they are we will be able to see this congress as preditory spenders.

The stimulus program will not work!! The politicians still do not feel the pain of the average citizen.

I got a bill today from Citi Bank for one of my credit cards. They have increased my interest rate 5%. That's an extra $100 per month for me. My wife called them to find out what was going on and why the increase. They kept saying it was because of the economy, they had to raise it across the board. My wife went through 2 people then finally ended up talking to a manager. She got the same answer.

If companies are going to raise prices and interest rates, then the money that President Obama gives us would end up going to pay these increased fees which in my mind is not stimulating the economy at all.

I have 5 credit cards and not 1 car payment. If these companies force me to pay an additional $100 per month. The stimulus money would be gone and I would not have helped the economy at all. Money wasted.

The point here is that President Obama must include a no fee/interest hike of existing customers if they want any type of bail out money.

I'm furious!!!

I would like to ask WHY is Sam " the slime ball" Palmisano, CEO of IBM meeting with Obama??? He has the nerve to ask for money? My family and friends are getting laid off left and right and this slime is taking a bonus? Maybe Obama should have done his homework before making a deal with this devil. ASK HOW MUCH BONUS HE GOT!!!!! I wonder what happened to all the tax incentives IBM was given from New York State TAXPAYERS? To fill his wallet and bank accounts for sure! WAKE UP WASHINGTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IBM IS STEALING FROM NYS AND IT'S TAXPAYERS....yeah, I know, NOT YOUR PROBLEM AS USUAL because the little people really don't matter! Thanks a lot! Live in our shoes for 1 day and you'll be running as fast as you can to catch a flight back to DC.
SO MUCH FOR "CHANGE"....same ole same ole.......SHAME ON IBM and shame on OBAMA......

TAX THE STOCK MARKET

We all have been watching our government spend trillions to save poorly managed and even more poorly regulated financial institutions. I believe the only fair way to bring this money back to the taxpayers is to institute a transaction tax on all financial trades and transactions in this country. Billions of stocks are traded daily on the NYSE and the Nasdaq exchanges. Using a small fee per transaction, such as a penny a stock trade, would generate millions of dollars daily. Then add in options, commodity trades, bonds, securities and currency trading, and you would have the income to balance the federal budget, generated by the industry that we bailed out.

This would be a fair tax that doesn't impact lower income people the way sales and income taxes do. If someone wants to buy 1000 shares of a stock, the tax would be $10, hardly an amount that would discourage the average investor.

Brokerage houses already have the computer programs that calculate their fees per transaction, so it should be easy to do.

As for the concern that the markets would just move offshore, I doubt a small amount would spark that drastic a move. Certainly the government could enforce it on companies that do business in the US. Most likely, other nations hosting exchanges would be quick to follow suit.

I am amazed that government has let the greatest transfer of money in this country go untaxed for so long.

I figure they should put all the CEO's in jail for 1 year, charge them with Economic Terrorism and let them prove their innocence.

If history shows us anything it's that if the power elite don't solve this soon then the citizens will and all hell will break loose...

Hi Rick, I have not heard anything about helping small business owners who cannot collect unemployment.I have directly and indirectly employed between 30 and 50 people on a renovation or new construction .My business has declined steadily for the last two years and is currently about 98% off.I have no recourse like the banks stimulus ,if this keeps up I will be living on the street instead of getting a bonus.

Rick,
I have listened to the speech of the newly elected RNC chairman. Scary. He has, in effect, said that if you do not agree with the G O P you will be run over by them. He has also stated that bipartisanship is overrated. WHAT? I have a newsflash for this gentleman.
The G O P is a minority BECAUSE of this thought process. He has minimized the american citizens call for bipatisanship. Citizens have expressed, at the election booths, their DESIRE for bipartisanship. If we follow the RNC chairman's thought process, that which the American People want is overrated.
This way of thinking not only shows the G O P's continued resistance to change, but is a divisive influence, which would continue to tear this great country apart from the inside out.
As long as this convoluted logic pervades in the republican party the average American citizen should "be afraid. Be very afraid" for their children's future.

GOOD QUESTION

YES WE CAN THANK YOU

Let me understand this, there are banks out there that want to continue bonusing their executives and are sighting Contracts as the reason they cannot keep from spending TARP money on these bonuses???? WHY? What would they have done if there was no TARP money? Now I hear that those same banks may not accept further TARP funds if President Obama makes restrictions "too tight" (for their greedy standards) and they think this will hold something over him....like if they refuse to loan money becuase they need more money to loan but want it with no strings, I say WHO CARES. What business are these banks in anyway, you need money to make money...which means spend it on what brings money back to the bank. NOT Bonuses for the staff that allowed them to get in this situation to begin with. Are you telling me they would pay bonuses before the light bill? Greed is what has gotten us into this mess and greed is what continues to keep us there. Execs should be standing up and refusing bonuses in order for the banks that they have bled dry, can continue business for those non greedy people who pay their bills and do not live beyond their means. If they don't they don't eserve their jobs, contractsor packages. I say stick it to 'em, Obama. Everyone needs to take a step back and realize that the days of GREED are over, learn to live on a real salary!

RICK..WHY OH WHY DOESNT ANYONE EVER ASK , DURING THE STIMULIS INTERVIEWS, WHERE THE TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE GOING TO COME FROM. THIS COUNTRY IS BROKE AND EVEN CHINA HAS SLACKED UP ON LENDING TO US. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW.

SECOND.. SINCE THE SEC OF TREASURY AND MAYBE THE SEC OF HEALTH, CAN CHEAT ON TAXES UNTIL CAUGHT SO TO SPEAK, WHY CANT THE REST OF US DO IT...SAVES MONEY FOR YEARS THEN JUST PAY IF CAUGHT PRIOR TO STATUE OF LIMITATIONS RUNS OUT.

THANKS..JON

We all agree that something needs to be done about the Wall Street knucklehead pirates. But caping their salaries doesn't seem painful enough. So here comes my "wonderful" idea. Let's tie their total compensation as follows:

Half tied to the business performance.
The other half tied to what in HR is called a 360 degree performance review. In this style of review you're rated by your bosses, your peers, and your subordinates. Cool eh!

IF OBAMA BACKS THE TWO TAX DODGERS HE NOMINATED, DOESNT THAT MAKE HIM ACCESSORY TO A CRIME SINCE TAX CHEATING IS A CRIME.

KIND OF LIKE TWO GUYS ROBBING A BANK...ONE GOES IN AND THE OTHER STANDS OUTSIDE TO KEEP WATCH.. BOTH ARE GUILTY OF ROBBERY IF CAUGHT.

SOUNDS LIKE GOVT AS USUAL, WHICH OBAMA SAID HE WOULDNT DO. ... RIGHT.

Hey Rick – why isn't anyone doing anything about lowering the rates (finance charges) credit card companies are charging? They are truly shameful and that is greed if I've ever seen it! Lowering rates would let consumers gain some financial stability, pay off their credit cards and put some cash back into the economy!

Rick,

It is incredible how sick minded the Wall St. leaders are! 1-> Why can't President Obama, create a new holding house that the funding regulations can apply too and cut the Wall St. players out, if they won't play by the rules. 2-> I don't think a cap on CEO positions is the answer, but I do think that every company can be monitored for ethical practices, when it come to wages. 3.-> How much of the jobs lost is do to the fact that these businesses want the tax break for hiring new employee's in the new administration policy? Seems to me that the companies are looking to capitalize on the little guy's regardless of what the state of the economy is!!!! It's shameful and greedy, I've never seen anything like it!

Let's get it together!

Why is there a big issue on the stimulus pkg that Pres. Obama
presented? But it's okay for Pres. Bush to spend Trillions of dollars
for Wars and all other unnecessary things. What happen to Katrina ? What about the deficit that he made when Pres. Bush was in office?
The deficit will never ever get paid, especially with this economy. I
think too much spending on Wars and sending in more troops and we
never accomplish.Republican & Democrats need to work as a team, not go against each other.

If the government can give away billions of dollars, how about an easy distribution mechanism, like, say, writing each US Tax payer a check or a voucher that can be used only for housing, education, medical car or an economy car. Let the average taxpayer be responsible for their own bills, let the business owners respond to the taxpayers patronage, and let the politicians go home and mind their own business instead of inventing a whole new beauracracy!

I have a strong feeling that the deep tax cuts are talking about
are again tax cuts that will benefit big business and the wealthy.
We need to spend money on such things as infrastructure
and the arts. Under the Bush administration the National
Endowment for the Arts was severely cut; this money should be
replaced. The arts such as opera and concerts employ people.
It seems like all the Republicans care about is big business, the
CEOs, and getting tax cuts for their friends.
President Obama wants to help working families in the middle
class. This is a national emergency and the Republicans need to
come on board. This calls for swift action; our country does not
have time to lose.

Republicans call Obama a socialist and that the stimulas plan is a redistribution of wealth. We just went through 8 years of redistribution of wealth from the poorest people to the richest people. The biggest redistribution ever in history. Why can't the republicans admit to that. Nevermind, I forgot double standards exist in this country!!

whats the real story about Merrill Lynch's four billion in bonus.
its unauthorized margins positions, that occured in the fourth quarter of last year. i am not the only one that problem! So check it out, it could be the story of the year and it can be your discovery!

South Florida will be pulling for you!

Arts? That is like paying for a super stereo for a cheap economy car that was purchased for the express purpose of getting back and forth to work. If you were footing the bill for this, why add on extra cost that don't really add to the purpose being met? Stimulate first, then address these other pet issues. If your so sure they are also what we need to stimulate the economy, then introduce them one at a time. Then we will see if that is really what is needed to be paid for by seeing if the taxpers back it.

All in all, these economic problems faced by our country and Pres.Obama have been caused by, either directly or indirectly, our illustrious ex-Supreme Ruler Bush and the Republicans, who have little concern for anyone other than themselves and their wealthy CEO and VIP friends, and allowing themselves and such friends, even more tax cuts so they can keep more of their blood money and will
allow their companies to make more money so they can partake of even more obscene bonuses and salaries. And, I might add at the expense of the expendable average worker, often single mothers, often experienced workers who have been worked so hard they don't have time to pursue degrees to put themselves in better positions, often disabled people...and yet, there seems to be little ability to have
any empathy for such people and the positions they're in and have
been in increasingly since Bush got into office. And the likes of the rest of the hate-mongers, ie Palin, Beck, most of the Fox talking heads, Rush L., now Steele (who can only thank the fact that Obama is now in office for his selection...and like that is going to matter as you see that he is that rare darker face in a sea of white faces in the floundering Republican party). Wouldn't you think that they would get that Republicans were voted out because of all this crap!?! Wouldn't
they love to get another President in office who would try to break Bush's record for Executive orders, so only partisan Republican proposals and suggestions would be approved wholeheartedly!

When the GOP can't even TRY to join with others who aren't in their party...as that other party was rejected wholeheartedly, it's just
totally disgusting. They can hide, gloss over, and justify all their political shennanigans and politicians, but god forbid a Democrat should possibly make an innocent mistake. I'm a white Independent, affected by the recession years ago, so I can assume the frustrations that Beck, Limbaugh, Coulter, all these right-wingers feel, arent all the
things they prefer us to think, and yea, some are copying Obama's success in trying to re-unite people (THEIR PARTY) but the fact that their party isn't in power anymore.It hasn't been unusual for
people, especially busy politicians, stretched thin small business owners, those who might be faced with personal grief or issues, to
overlook or forget about some tax issues. No, the average person is
not always excused...we have to pay penalties for that oversight, even though it it an honest mistake. When you have someone who has done so much in and for Human Services as Obama's current preference, or for Geitner as well...their expertise and some of the many qualities lacking in most Republicans, more than make up for their mistakes, which they readily offered up and apoligized for. Is it
not okay for them to do that just as it has been allowed with previous
Republicans?!? Meanwhile, Bush has and is covering up for not just
Rove, Cheney, Rumsfield, and himself...why is there no outrage from the Republicans there, when we all know how many illegal and questionable things the Bush administration did?!?! Give me a break.

I may not be an economic whiz, and I am SO a supporter of Pres. Obama, but I heard a brief discussion, getting in on the middle of it, that makes me wonder why we might not be following the same, or
at least a similar, plan of rescuing the banks like was done years ago
with the savings and loans? Can anyone, in a non-partisan, non-hateful way, explain rationally, what that plan was, what it did include, and why that might or might not make more sense than this "bad or toxic" bank plan that would seem to leave the taxpayers stuck with foreclosed properties we don't want or need?

Stimulus Package. They should stop trying to stimulate the econony from the top down, where they will not pass it back down. I believe in the bible that it talks about every 10 all debts are forgiven. The government needs to either give all of the banks, credit card, car lenders and pay off ALL consumer debt for the american people. Because they are not passing gthe billions down to us. or...

So here is my two cents worth for the economy.

I ask the question, how many tax payers are there in the US? My guess about 100,000,000 plus or minus.

Now the government is talking about another $850 billion bail out. Why does the government not bail out the consumer? Let’s think about this, if the fed’s had say $1 Trillion to spend/print.

How about if they gave each tax paying entity (that would be husband & wife, single person…) $100,000.00. And in that they had everyone bring in their bills to some government office and they paid every bill off (up to $100K) and if there was not that much the would pay all of the bills off and give a check for the remaining back to the taxpayer.

What would that do for the economy? First it would make all of the banks, credit card, auto lenders and a lot of mortgage companies VERRRRRRY flush.

Then people would start spending again, businesses would start hiring again. Unemployment would be near ZERO and the economy would be great again as well as the stock market, oh and by the way the government would not have to keep giving all of the big business outrageous $$$ that they are not going to pass down to us the REAL consumer.

Why does Big Business always have to get the help??? When are they going to REALLY help US the AMERICAN PEOPLE???

Big business just hoards the cash and does not pass it down, not even to their workers, except the big wigs….

And last but not least, they need to institute a national 15% Sales tax (or there abouts) and also get rid of the IRS. What will this do you ask, 1st it will make sure EVERYONE pays their fair share. It will catch the drug dealers, businesses that do not pay anything now, the Mafia, every tourist that visits the US. It is my belief that there would be an excess of $$$ in the US government in 5 years or less. At that point they could start funding for SSI at that point. Every state should implement the same type of system. That would solve it alllllllllll.

Pass this along to everyone you know and have them go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and put this on Obama’s website. As he has said, he wants to have the open administration in history. He wants all of the comments he can get from the people (You and I). I have done my part, now it is time you do your part. Tell the president what you think. Pass this to 5 people as soon as you receive it.

If you don’t like these idea’s pass yours back to who ever sent this to you and ask them to pass it back. Oh and by the way, this would stop all of the bankruptcy filings going on now!!

It's a good life,

Craig Turner

HI Rick!
Those war mongers(Republicans) spent billions of taxpayers money every month for eight years in a war we're not suppose to even be in ,yet all of them are criticizing Obama for the stimulus package which goal is to send relief to the innocent taxpayers who are suffering foreclosures, unemployment, and stress because of their evil desires for oil justified by their so call "War on Terror." They just need to shut their mouths, take a back seat and let Obama do his job. His job right now is to clean up their dirty mess that got us into this mess. Shame on you Republicans for denying support to the person who's come up with a plan to clean up your mess. You got us here, let's see what Obama's plan is going to do in the near future to get this economy back on it's feet. A friend of mines always told me, if you have nothing good to say just shut up! This is the case of the Republicans right now.

I am disappointed with the GOP are our long lost heros to save the economy they spent us into. They must have hit a block in ideas so I hear they had to call in Joe to give them the common man's input however uneducated. Any spending keeps someone at work to provide a service or a product doesn't it? The states need help and the GOP does not want to give it. Our country needs help and they don't want to give it. I agree we need more construction/infastructure....but more in the stimulus not less. We all are aware of the neglect , disrepair the last crew left us in....and the rampant fraud and mismanagement in Iraq. The GOP leaves me speechless with their head so high in the clouds they don't get it.....Obama DID win because they FAILED to do their job.

AIG (AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GANGSTERS): This company has ruined my life, I fractured my skull (6 inches+) on the job installing security cameras in Myrtle Beach High Schools, and "AIG" hasn't paid me regularly, denied medical attention, and more!!! (American International GANGSTERS). REVENGE IS A MEAL BEST SERVED COLD!!! Former two tour Sgt. USMC Infantry 1/8!!!

I was watching CNN News today with Heidi and I hear that the stimulus that the Republicans want is to help 40,0000 people out their with good credits. What happens to the people who had two income before and one loses their job and now it's only one income and they are laate on their mortgage because they are trying to make ends meet? The only thing I hear from your money adviser is to sell your home. The only thing to solve this economy is to do a mortgage laon remodification for all people, for the economy mesed up alot of the peoples credit. The housing market needs to get straighten out before the economy can get back to it's track, HOw can the economy get better if their only going to refinace people with good credit? How many people will be losing their homes if they cannot refinance? ALOT....They need to refinance people with good or poor credit who are still in their homes, people with good credit more likely have a good income coming into their homes and the ones with poor credit more like has only one incoming coming in instead of two and is now trying to make ends meet.. The banks were able to get the stimulus help, therefore people with good or poor credit who are employed should be able to get their mortgage interest lowered. We all pay taxesand all these big ceo's are getting big bonuses and going on vacations but cannot reduced the interest mortgage for all people who are in their homes?

I support 4% mortgages for every principal residence both new and refinance. It will stimulate the economy immediately, help keep our citizens in their homes, put millions of people to work, not cost the taxpayers a dime (since we get the money back), and most importantly start restoring confidence in our financial futures!

Felicitaciones, tu programa es excelente! Congratulations, your show is excelent!
I know the economy is very bad, and there is a lot that has to be done, etc. etc. However, very little has been said about how this problem started. For instance, in the mortgage crisis, it is true that the financial entities are guilty, but at the same time the irresponsible people who signed the mortgages are guilty as well. Now the government wants to give another stimulus package. I know they need to solve the problem; however, they are in a way is rewarding these irresponsible entities and people, which is not fair for the people like my husband and I who have been responsible spending money. We haven't had a problem with our mortgage, all the opposite we have refinanced it and now we have a better deal. Our house value has increased since we bought it in 2005, so we gained some "free" equity.
If there is going to be a Stimulus package I think the Senate should modify it focusing the Stimulus package in saving the financial entities with clear requirements for the use of the money they will lend them (to be used only for credits, mortgages, etc.), save the housing crisis also giving them some kind of punishment in their credit, and tax cuts for everybody, not just some.
We are not millionaires, we work hard for our money and we are responsible spenders; however, we didn't received the first stimulus check. We hope now we will be included in the new "Stimulus Package"; ohterwise, I would call it the "Unfair Package" because it would punish responsible people and reward irresponsible entities and people.
Espero que te recuperes al 100% muy pronto y que sigan los exitos!

The bailout money already given to banks has not done a thing to help the economy except to give them bonuses and perks. Why not give the money to taxpyers with the stipulation that they pay their mortgages, credit card bills, studeny loans etc? The money will go into the banks and then, by stipulation, be used for loans for small businesses and consumers, which would aid the economy. That would be a Stimulus package.

I live in nome alaska.We still pay 5.50 agallon for heating feul.feul is shiped here by barge.so when we buy our feul supply we are stuck with the price. bp and exxon submit record profits while I have to choose between eating or heating my home.Today it is 27 below zero.that means my feul is burnig up fast.I haven't eaten a real meal in three days. with this cold spell means I won't eat anther good meall for two more weeks.It's not just in nome all of western alaska is in the same boat.can you ask pres. obama to demand these company's give us some relief please.

I was watching the leading economist on your show the other day. He was referring to how if the stimulus starts at the bottom, small businesses might horde the money and still cut jobs. Is it just me, or does common sense elude our leaders? My family has been affected by the reductions in labor force, that is happenning all over our country. Is it too much to ask, that guidelines be set for these small business that will ensure that they do not get stimulus money and still cut jobs. I can understand the desire to save their own butts. I do feel however that if they truly desire to get the economy going again, this should be a requirement in order to receive tax breaks and any of the taxpayers money. Just a thought, I mean, it doesn't sound like rocket science to me. Or am I wrong.

Everyone agrees that we need a stimulus bill. Of course the republicans would oppose a bill that creates mass transit, taking money from the oil companies and putting it in the hands of the ordinary people. Of course republicans would oppose a bill on energy that would create competion for the oil companies. This all goes to prove that we still have too many republicans. Also the republicans do not want to see a drop in the number of abortions under the democrats.

it would seem to me that if our tax money went to chrysler and chevrolet for bailout relief that there should be a stipulation that they should bring back some of our jobs back to the states within a certain time period recreating only the jobs that put us in this spot in the first place. not that it is only their fault but if they continue to build $30,000 automobiles nobody can buy them with an $8.00hr job. quite frankly it bothers me that some of our tax money was wasted by these companies without a reguard for who gave them the money and buys their products. ya your welcome

I am sick and tired of the Republicans in the Senate and House. What do they have against the regular American. Last year we lost over 2.5 million jobs. Last week alone, we lost over 100,000 more jobs in this country. Instead of jumping to help regular Americans they stall and stall this bill so they can have what they want. How selfish is this. I is very clear that they do not care about the thousands of Americans each day that go out of work. I guess I should be suprised. They get paid around $150,000 a year to sit down and push there own agenda. What has happened to this country where a party that lost so bad in the election can hijack the process to get there names in the press. They should be ashamed of themselves. If this keeps up, I will fight and spens every dime I got to vote every Republican in my area out of office. I hate to be upset, but I know a lot of people who are losing there homes and jobs and feel that if this stimulus package got through as soon as possible, things might just get a little better, which is more than what we have right now.

RICK WHATS GOING ON WITH WALL STREET & THE BAIL OUTS
ARE JUST A NOTHER FORM AND MEANS TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE (NEW WORLD ORDER) AND WE ARE MAKEING WAY FOR THE AINTI CHRIST.......WHATS HAPPEING NOW IS ONLY THE BIRTH PANS OF THE RAPTURE ......SOMETHING NO ONE WANTS TALK ABOUT...SO THEY PERTEND IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN

This is enough. We are just uncovering what we have known ALL ALONG. OUR GOVERNMENT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WE VOTE TO TAKE CARE OF AND PRESENT OUR VIEWS, HAVE AND SHOULD BE PUNISHED THATS FROM WHAT GEORGE BUSH DELIBERATELY DID TO KILL OUR COUNTRY.

aLL WE GET IS LIP SERVICE THEIR ACTIONS DON'T MATCH THEIR LIPS SPUTTERING THE SAME OLE CRAP.

OUR COUNTRY IS LETTING US GO DOWN THE DRAIN WHY ARE THEY NOT ALLOWING THE FREE ENTERPRIZE AMERICA IS KNOWN FOR DIFFER FOR THE BANKS FOR THE CAR INDUSTRY. WHY NOT MAKE THEM THE SAME WE ALL GET. i DIVORCE THE CURRENT AMERICA AND I AM SAYING SHAME SHAME ON THOSE WHO ARE WALKING AROUND FREE WHO HAVE COMMITED ROBBERY AND SHOULD BE IN PRISON LIKE ANY OTHER COMMON CRIMINAL !!! AND THE FIRST I WOULD SEND THERE IS GEORGE AND CHANEY AND THERE OLE BOY SYSTEM AND ALL THAT ARE IN IT

PS I DON'T LIKE YOUR SHOW AT ALL AND HOPE THEY PUT SOMEONE ELSE IN YOUR PLACE UNTIL THEN I WILL SWITCH TO ANOTHER NEWS CHANNEL DURING THE AIR TIME THEY PUT U ON

The Buy Americain ideas will hurt Canada. Townships in Ontario make steel for US projects. There has to be another comprimise to help the economy.

What part of "NO" does the Wall Street moguls not understand? The financial institutions don't have any problem saying NO to us when we want to get a loan or trying to keep up with everything but they still feel obligated by some previous contract to pay out millions to the CEO's. We didn't just get off the turnip trucks and we're not a stupid as they think we are. Something is wrong with this picture.

Rick check my math, I`m sure I`m right. This mourning I added up the list of "Stimulus `waste' list revealed by the GOP. The sum I came up with was 22,090,500,000,000.00. That`s 22trillion 90billion fivehundredmillion dollars. Now that`s alot of pork.

While I agree that more money needs to go to infrastructure, I think any loans (rather than grants) to the states needs to have a few conditions attached. All employees must be verified as here legally by e-verify. Perhaps it is also "protectionist", but I think American made products need to be emphasized in all aspects of government.

And, since all US Senators seem to have an opinion about the taxes of candidates for President Obama's cabinet, I think all of them should be closely audited by the IRS. Let's see how they begin to squirm then.

Rick, I made a mistake I apologize that`s only 22billion90million five hundred thousand, and still alot of pork.

dear sir;

i saw your comment on barrack obama and i also heard more on the radio on the sudden discover of trillions of dollars in a federal out of court settlement account (35 figures plus).

It was my understanding that the us supreme court is the advocate for the plaintiff, d disabled veteran and a graduate student in criminal justice, taking a few course in mental health and business this year,
is the only individual that is allowed to touch that money, give written permission to access it, or allow a penny to fo toward what the president programs of hopes for a soicalist utopia?

I have read documents from as early as 2002 on plans to fun and assist americans that Barrack Obama is trying to take credit for today.
if you were to access the us senate judiary committee record for the past 2 years and the treasury from 2004 to today (also the office of the comtroller of the cuurrecny in houston, texas. you will see barrack obama has no orginal ides, but a republican did.

I do believe that us senator from vermont stated these facts on
23 august, 2007 on cnn.

the firing of ashcroft , the disbarrment of janet rano, john ashcroft, and soon to be ganzales and the last bush arttorney general are direst reasult of getting int the face of the veteran and defying the us supreme court.

Now we have the new attorney general holde who i understands think he can take on the veteran and the us supreme court as well
to get full access to the settlement account and steel from it.
well from what I know, the us suprme court and the plaintiff are counting on it to make the new appinted attorney general number 5 on the list of attorney generals to bite the dust in washington, dc.

if he last 18 monthe consider him lucky, gonzales lastedless than one year after the veteran went after him before the us supreme court.

this time the battle lines were drawn in october and the game plan to make obam life hell before the us suprme court was made clear as the objective to obam's actiions as well as the clear intention of the newly appinted us attroney to harrass the veteran and his family.
it has already happened.

10 decemebr, mr holder and obama used the us post office to tray and set the veteran up on fake charges, mistake was the postal office inspector talked to an office rof the us suprem court in the home of the veteran, thus undenialbe violation of the federal ex parte (500 ft) and the idiot postal inspector then harrassed the veteran wife at work the next day, result ,an additional damages of 35 figures awared on the spot to the veteran.

now we have a very naught thing obama did or i say planned to to do and like bush got caught in the same plan to misuse federal funds to committ murder of the veteran and his family and all who knew of these 23 lawsuits etc.. so he can be god obama and bring forth the miracles.

If obama is trying to reach the veteran and talk nice and get him to sign the release of these funds as he syas is his idea, what is stoppping him?

the vet has a phone, a fax, numerous attorney's the us supreme court appointed to do all the legal buisness ( lawyer stuff).

why is he and the vice president unable to talk or communicate?

ann coulter should research this, but th money is for real and it is under a code in the us treasury litgation section.

what is the truth? The veteran sent the ovenor of california a letter and some standard documents, ( not all of them) to show the he wanted the us supreme court (his adovate) to approve a quaterly disbursement from the orginal 60 billion in 2006 to 500 billion as of 2009.

the money for soical secuirty to make it solvent was the veteran as he also draws soical security diosabilty ( 100 trillion plaus to the plan) and get recipentd to get 6,000 a month, retor acitve. payy foo the nations debt and give the us a surplus from the 35 trillion set aside fo this action. then veteans all disbled to get $9,000.oo a month from the $200 trillion set aside for this and full medical etc..

what obama tlka as his ideas were sotlen from the minutes of the meetings of EVDS & JRD, LLC owned by this veteran from 2002.

Where did medicare and medicaid get these fiunds coming to the thought & wishful thinking and the almighty obama?

who got the presential pardon in a add on to the stimulus bill of september, 2008, the veteran.

the truth about how bin laden was actula set up an taken out started as a class project between the veteran and a general in th us army assigned to anti terroism in afganistan in september, 2007.

obama is joke and as more time passes, the truth will come out of the us supreme court, and the image of the svior of barrack obama will dissappear and show obama's true face, a clone of george bush.

the plaintiff

As easy as it seems to run the country fromm our living rooms, as we debate with a face on TV, maybe we all should stop and take a deep breath before we completely go insane. Fear tends to bring out the crazy nuts who rant, rave and complain, but the worst part is that they spread doom and gloom all over the place and that's NOT what we need today in the USA. As for me, I intend to hold onto hope and faith. It just seems more logical to me than being afraid. We can complain, rant, rave and debate all day, but the fact remains that Obama has got to be brave to take on what seems to be an impossible job...so let's give him a break. By the way, I like your show!

Obama was elected by air heads who couldn't even tell you what issues of his platform they agreed with. The politicos saw the "stepford wives" type voters and so they are now are free to drive us into socialism and ruin, Maybe while these unconcerned voters are out looking for a job they can check out cspan and learn the truth. See cspan for yourself and not thru the evening news bias and maybe you will realize just how censored and deceptive the newscast really are.

It's very sad to see some Americans trusting Obama or the stimulus package. It may create jobs in the short term, but in the long term it will be adding serious debt on to everyone who is in debt up to their eyeballs. The economy can only take so much pounding before the whole system collapses. It's prophesized in the bible and it will happen. The safest investments are property, gold and diamonds. The only bailout package that has hope is Jesus.

God bless you

The Stimulus package will include a "Buy American" provision, but should also have a "Hire American" provision, including the E-Verify program. Congressional Stimulation would be exempt from the E-Verify requirement, as E-Verify does not include prostitution.

Stimulous package:
I have not heard anything about pumping money into Social Security to make it easier for those who should have and can't afford to retire.
Just think about it, if this can help those Americans retire, that will open up jobs like crazy for those in need. This will also cover the whole spectrum of occupations out there, not just a select few that the government can drum up.

Stimulus package?
I have not heard anything about pumping money into Social Security to make it easier for those who should have and can’t afford to retire.
Just think about it, if this can help those Americans retire, that will open up jobs like crazy for those in need. This will also cover the whole spectrum of occupations out there, not just a select few that the government can drum up.

It's not going to matter, even if the stimulus package is carefully planned out, America can't even pay the interest on their loans presently...so the stimulus package is prolonging the inevitable which is a total collapse of world financial markets. It's coming very soon. This is not a depression that will bounce back, it's impossible. Do you think Walmart will stop outsourcing? So you think people will boycott Walmart because their products are unamerican? Do you honestly think businesses will buy American and remain competitive? This is the day of reckoning of free trade and correction. Will Americans work for .15 cents an hour like they do in China? How can any country compete against them. So the question is not how much bailout, but how long do we have?

Oops I forgot, after everything collapses, it will be the biggest blame game in the world. What colour playing piece do you want?

Will the congressmen and the senators be taking a pay cut? Will there be layoffs? Will they have to pay for their own healthcare. I mean everyone else is taking cuts, why not them.

We owe the federal Reserve What? They are just a print shop, Think about it, They took paper, worth little, printed a note (now worth value, backed by gold) and claimed ownership of our country's wealth but they wuold be willing to lend these printed notes to our country. . What if the folks who printed your completed deed claimed ownership of your property ? But would be willing to let you stay there for a a payment plus intrest. They only printed the deed.

economy ,keep the jobs here for americans stop the outsorceing

The government should give every man woman and child one million dollars to stimulate the economy. It would be cheaper than the trillions already spent and talk about a stimulas!

The $500K salary cap is too high. If the failed company execs want to be on the federal pay roll, they should all be limited to the federal government GS pay scale! I guarantee you that there are plenty of well qualified people who will work for $186K or less to do the right thing for the country.

The president's 500k limit says to me that he is following his campaign promises. Look for bank rules to include elimination of surprize fees there and on your phone fees as well as your credit card. Way to go Mr President.

When is the government going to get the hint to stay out of the public's business? The bailouts have been a bad idea from the start, the government taking my money and giving to a company that can't pay their own bills. They make the bad decisions they should have to fix it. The energy companies and banks are to blame for this whole issue of bailouts. If it wasn't for their greed we would not be in this position, I would still have a job along with 2.5M others. If the government wants to help the American people, than send me some money so that my family can have health insurance and food on the table. Right now the government is only concerned about the people who are in office. You pat my back and I will pat your back, terminology. I am not happy with where this administration and the past administrations are taking my country. Harder times are coming.

I'm not sure there are peeps in DC who REALLY want to fix the current economic problems. I developed a simple, cost effective basic program that has ALL the infrastructure, technology and information in place and could be online for the US peeps in near record breaking time BUT I can't get the ear of ANYBODY.
Does anybody know a workable way to get the ear of the President or is he so walled off that he can't hear good, workable ideas.

Where has all the money gone? Stimulus enough ... not enough? The American dream is crashing for the masses while the CEO's fatten their mattresses. We taxpayers are cinical. We're bailing out Banks and Wall Street with our money. We live paycheck to paycheck .... those of us who are blessed to live within our means. It seems to be enough for us! Ceo's are greedy sob's. This is madness! All this talk infuriates me! What would work. Bail us out. Wipe all out indebtedness out .... student loans, mortgages,.... take less from our hard earned pay and trust us to be good stewards with what we have worked for! The corruption in gov't and finance runs rampant .... at our expense! Now because of Daschle's little ERROR.. the "fix" for our healthcare is another major loss.

socialism, thats all i hear. ive had to take pay cuts, drop out of college again, and am barely feeding myself and keeping a roof over my head. wall st bonuses, to quote one of my favorite characters of literature, "off with their heads!"

I have lost my job to an H1B visa worker. My unemployment has run out. I have 1 month before I am evicted from my home, and become homeless. I have no money left in my 401K. Yet, I have to pay my back taxes to bail out all of these crooks in the financial sector. WHERE IS MY BAILOUT????? WHERE IS ANY HELP???

Americans need money NOW!!!!! Whats wrong w/ giving "us" money just like all these greedy & failing banks have received. It's their own fault they're in this mess, & of course the American people are bailing them out! Why can't we receive help? What's wrong w/ a "flat" 4 or 4.5% rate for ALL current & future homeowners? This would free-up hundreds per month, every month, year after year! Now that's a permenant stimulus that would be IMMEDIATE! This mortgage mess needs to be #1 priority, as we all can see how its affecting our jobs, auto industry etc.

No one seems to understand the term 'bipartisan.' It means the Republicans screw things up on their watch, and the Democrats have to come in and fix it. Forget the unaccountable Republicans. Let's get this done!

May I respectfully suggest now may be the time to commence discussions on a bill that would cap tax deductibility and limit annual compensation of a firm's top five employee's total annual compensation (excluding stock options with a long term vesting time frame) to a multiple of the annual wage of the lowest full time employee?

For example, the lowest paid full time employee of company 'Greed' is receptionist "A". This person earns $24,000 per year. The maximum annual renumeration of the top five highest paid employees would then be limited to a multiple of $24,000, (say 20 times). Therefore, the upper limit of renumeration for each of the top five earners would be $480,000 per year. Any renumeration beyond this figure would not be tax deductible in any manner whatsoever, so the excess renumeration would come from corporate profits.

These top 5 may be compensated for exception performance by stock options that are not vested for at least 5 years after being granted. There needs be restrictions upon these too I suggest.

The above would possibly limit the "greed" factor somewhat, recognize that more-often-than-not, a corporation is highly successful in spite of, and, and not because of, the senior management.

Why not let the American people decide the bailout? give the money back to us and we will bailout everything. We would buy cars,homes,clothes,appliances,stimulating the economy. This is a no brainer. Obama wants change,prove it!.Stop the same old washington tactics and let the American people have a say.

The hell with Republicans, the only stimulus they want to see is tax cut for the rich and more war spending.
I voted for Democrats is because I wanted Democrats to lead.
Haven't history taught us enough? every times we have Republicans in power its always end up just like this, and it always take a Democrat to fix it.
Example; Bush one = BAD. Bush two = WORST ever.

President Obama don't need to take the Republicans input for nothing.

How can a cap of $500,000 satisfy those paying the bill? Most hardworking citizens make only a fraction of this amount. If this act is going to work, much steeper cuts to their salaries is necessary, not just the bonus cuts. They are lucky to keep their jobs. Most of us feel they should be in the unemployment lines with the huge populations that ended up there because of the bad loans they distributed. This loan should have huge interest paid to taxpayers.

Why can't we bailout Main Street AND Wall Street with purchasing the foreclosure notes?

1 million forclosures at $218,000 average would be $218 billion. Which is much less than the other bailouts. This would free up the banks and the American people. This would help those that are losing their jobs and get credit moving again.

WTH ALL THE BILLIONS THEY ARE GIVING OUT, IF THEY GAVE 5,000 TO EVERY MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY WATCH HOW IT STIMULATES THE ECONOMY QUICKLY THUS OPENING UP MILLIONS OF JOBS. GIVE MONEY TO THE TOP OF THE LADDER AND THEY WILL PUT IT IN THE BANK OR TAKE A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD THAT WILL STIMULATE NOTHING.

The President needs to quit bowing to the RNC and tell Pelosi and Reid to cut the pork from the stimulus package and move on with getting the bill to the House and Senate for a final vote....lets see what the Republican members of the Congress do then..........It amazes me first of all that Pelosi had the gall to place so much bull in this package when so many jobs are being lost ......Mr President you can do it without the BUSHED clan in Washington

$20 Billion in CEO bonuses divided by the median US household income of approx $50,000 equals a handful of greedy individuals receiving the equivalent of 400,000 US household incomes. Its time for a revolution!

It's so stupid to give these banks and mortgage companies all this money when so many are losing their jobs and have no way to pay back any loans. GET THE PEOPLE BACK WORKING FIRST!!!

If Obama really wants a bipartisan rescue package as he 'say's, then he has to get Nancy Pelosi off of her 'throne' at the head of the House. She is a terrible hinderance to any thought of bipartisanship. Every time she opens her mouth, the Republicans turn off their hearing aids! She MUST STEP DOWN to give us a fair bill supported by BOTH sides.

I halfway agree with the criticism of the stimulus package, it is filled with, social engineering, pet projects, pork, and to few tangible goods. On the other hand I think a tax cut in the face of ominous deficits is irresponsible. The whole inability of the world economies to expand is a product of the United States hogging up all the available credit in the world. Instead of a tax cut the proper medicine is a tax increase, especially for those fat cat oil companies that make in excess of 10 billion a year. Another tax increase at the pump will reign in consumption and the export of dollars. By combining a modest tax increase with a stripped down no nonsense version of a stimulus bill and the country would be going in the right direction.

If we actually give money to Americans to spend, let's make sure it's in the form of a debit card that can ONLY be used to buy products MADE IN AMERICA. Why give them money so they can run to WalMart and make China richer????

The taxpayers should be allowed to put a cap on salaries when they take our money. I don't dictate the terms of my mortgage to my mortgage holder.

Rick, where is the tough questions? The stimulus plan does not create jobs, it jump starts the health care plan. Less than 1% of the money is targeted towards small business and manufacturing.

The money for health care electronic records and expanding internet and such will generate temporary jobs and those will be minimum wage to boot. We need a living wage job and though agreeing with the republicans kills me, they are right this stimulus plan is not going to create jobs that people can raise a family on and those jobs will disappear as soon as the targeted jobs are completed.

Build nuclear plants, refineries, improve roads, bridges and schools. Invest in small business and manufacturing – focus on where real jobs will be created and a living wage can be found.

P.S. Robert Gibbs ought to be a senator, he lies as soon as he opens his mouth, perhaps in time he will learn to lie more convincingly.

Do we want 'policing' of bailout monies or not? We can't have it both ways! First, we complain that these 'fatcats' rec'd bailout money without restrictions, now, we complain that 'policing' these funds is socialism, communism, etc. Wake up, America – we're going to fail if something isn't done soon. This new policy only affects those companies that receive 'bailout' funds! Don't you want someone to look out for your tax dollars? We don't want to throw 'good money' after 'bad' anymore. These are extroadinary times that require extraordinary measures!

I have sent this to anyone who i hope is listening.

The stimulus package does not make any sense.
We the people have been discussing the economy.
Wondering what happened to BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE.
This bill we are waiting on is for BIG BUSINESSES AGAIN!
It will not give the people that need it the help we need fast.
Give the BAILOUT to the 'LEGAL AMERICANS'
We will pay off or purchase houses, cars,credit cards & bills.
This will have immediate effect on economy and fix all the crisis' fast.
Crime rates are up & Suicide rates up ! ARE YOU LISTENING
WE THE PEOPLE NEED HELP NOW! WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR TRICKLE DOWN.
You all like town meetings during elections; do it now and you will hear what
WE THE PEOPLE think of this NO COMMON SENSE PACKAGE.

I want to ask a silly question here, if I go to a bank and ask for some money for my business, the bank generally asks for a business plan and sets a repayment schedule. If I go back to the bank a while later and ask them for some more money they will usually ask what I did with the money they already loaned me. If my answer is that I paid a big chunk of it out to my CEO and spent another big chunk on parties and bonuses but that I just didn't have "enough" to actually get my business going are they not going to just laugh at me and demand their first loan to be repaid?

If I am a bank and I go to the government to ask for some money so that I can loan it out to businesses to keep the economy going why is it so difficult to make it plain and simple that the money I am getting will go to just THAT purpose? How is that "socialist"?

Enough already! The bill has to pass! People are hurting. Can the Congress and the Senate not understand? Who do they think they are?

Whatever happened to Obama not wanting the trickle down affect? Why doesn't the gov force banks to loan and or refinance mortgage rates at 3.5%. They will still make a profit at that rate seeing as how they are getting the money from the gov at less than 1%? Most homeowners could deal with that kind of rate. Why didn't the gov put in safe guards to protect tax payer money? Better still why doesn't the gov open a lending tree for tax payers and give them 3% rates and use W4;s to pay back their loans. Its a win win situation. Gov gets interest on home owner loans and home owners get a great percentage rate. Afterall, it is the tax payers money not the banks to profit!

Infrastructure spending is a good thing execpt if your a woman. I don't know of many women that want to work in construction!

why dont we line up a buch of c130 planes wing to wing from north to south over america and fly them from the east coast to the west coast throwing out the 816 bilion dollars to america, now thats stimulating

Even if the stimulus package was to save the financial institutions and put Americans back to work, the lack of buying power will continue to exist for the life of the high payment mortgages out there. The solution is found at the root of the problem. The salaries to mortgage payment ratio are too close together. Only inflation will offset this ratio in the future since mortgage payments will remain the same and salaries will increase adjusting to inflation.
Can we encourage a healthy and controlled inflation to help the American families?

I believe that the Stimulus Package just needs to be passed and if the people of America doesn't like what is in it, why doesn't Obama just give the public more money in there pockets!? That seems like the best solution for America's peeps. Only we can stabilize the Economy, not Congress or the House or the Senate or even OBAMA...

One thing that worries me with regards to this stimulus bill is how the tax refunds will handled. I paid a lot of taxes last year and when Bush with Democrats approval decided to send those stimulus checks to citizens I did not get it because Of my income level for that year.
It so turns out, that some of my friends who live in Brazil (American Citizens) who have been living there for almost 3 years now got the checks!!!! I found it outrageous that citizens that don't pay any tax to US Government due to international treaties receive any checks...and worse, checks that won't stimulate American economy at all since they will be spent in other countries....

The Stimulus – It appears the Republician Senators are disagreeing just to disagree. John McCain forgot the election is over and he lost. . The Senators should remember, they are to represent the people.What about the raise the senate gave themselves in December?t

Cheney needs to back to his undisclosed location where he spent the last 8 years.

While I agree with Obam's crack down on Wall Street, cutting th "pork" out of the banks is hypocritical if he does not do the same with the stimulous package. What's the difference between TARP being used to pay bonuses with taxpayer dollars or Nancy Pelosi using tax payer dollars to load bills with wasteful "pork" projects. The President needs to clean up Washington befopre he cleans up Wall Street !

Chaney had his turn and look where we are! He needs to go away like the administration did. At least Obama knows where to "shoot"!!

Hey Rick Sanchez.. My name is Tony Maloney and I am a minority structural steel detailer negatively affected by outsourcing. The following is a response to a conversation with a fellow minority steel detailer. We decided to share this with you and hope you can bring some positive respose back for us in the steel industry. We just want to feed our families, not get rich.

Ginger Hand wrote back:
"I don't know where to begin, Tony. The decline in the state of the structural steel industry has paralleled that of this country. The top tier, the supposed experts, have shirked their design responsibilities, while they thought up new ways to keep as much of the project money in their own pockets as possible. They give us less and less to work with, but refuse to compenstae for the mutiple submittals we end up providing, that are a direct result of lack of information on their part. Unfortunately, we detailers are already so strapped for cash, we can't afford to refuse these half-designed jobs. If our bids reflect compensation for the poor quality of the design drawings, some detailer in worse shape than we are will undercut us, or the fabficator will outsource them overseas. I can't even blame the fabricator, he also is hamstrung by the whole process. I don't know how to go about forcing design engineers and architects to provide thorough drawings. Maybe we could hit them with mutiple change orders and then take it to the courts when they refuse to pay.The thing is WE have to take the first step. These guys are going to keep taking advantage of us until WE stop them. This economic collapse may be just what we, the little guys, need to get this rolling. Our complacency during the good times allowed the situation to get out of hand. Our actions now, as we fight for our very survival, can turn this around. How bad does it have to get before we stand up for ourselves?"

Aren't these hearings on the SEC just setting up another bailout for the rich by the taxpayers? I can't tell who is cheating who.

It's only a matter of time GOP, SEC, and Wallstreet morons!
You're still using every piece of old and tired rhetoric to you can think up to block something that is ours in the first place, we the people, . . . AMERICANS!
You cannot protect your greedy investments anymore (which wasn't yours anyway, . . .it never was) it's what you stole from us and our families.
Your coven has been discovered you sick blood suckers. Our justice will take care of the rest!
You think history has been made lately? Re: Obama. Wait until you all see what will happen to all of you. The world isn't going to tolerating your Fascism anymore!
You cannot run and you cannot hide!

A. Maes

One of the things they want to see in the stimulus package, is "buy American". How do we do that? Nothing is made in America to buy anymore.

Hey Rick,

Enjoy your show. Great piece on Millard. We need more of those for examples. I am a retired electrician, Viet Nam Vet, widow father of 4

Oil vs green: most unions do in person role calls and dispatch. Redundant at best, that's millions of gallons and barrels of oil yearly. Challenge Pres Hill of IBEW, Sweeny of AFL-CIO in DC. And we claim to be Patriotic?

Stimulas: Free Trade conflicts. Cut all wages, salaries, bonuses across the board including Government. We will be competitive in the world next day morning on cost and save our country alot of tax payer dollars and solve the fair trade conflict.

Cut housing mark to mark losses and make new loans. That will support all wage and salary cuts and jump start business, consumer confidence and spending. Pay down directly the National debt in lieu of giving to corps and financial irresponsible entities.

Summary: Those 3 items will do more than present stimulas, which is bypartician and self indulged opinions. Rick, you can't have cost of living increases year after year and avoid where we are today. Russia is the living proof of that statement. It took 88 years to bring about their collapse in 1988 and another 20 years to recovery as they have?

That is Joe Electrician's opinion,
Sparky Snyder
Retired

Take the Banks and wall St out of the Stimulus and bring back manufacturing and you will solve this crisis

Rick there is so much controversy over Obama putting a cap on executive salaries. Ask this. Whats the top executive position in this country? Answer: The President. What does he get paid per year. He is head of the biggest business in America. Yet his salary doesnt exceed even one million dollars. Top pay for screwing the economy up is unbelievable. And right now its the American tax payer paying these people them salaries. It our money and I think the President did exactly what was needed, except i feel they should all be fired and jailed for out right defrauding the American people.

lets make those Hot Shots in Wash live on unemployment til they get
something passed. I bet they will work together then. I am still on the payroll but only worked 2 weeks since Dec. I got a call yesterday
not to come back to work til march 2. These Co's can only hold on so long. And the Reps want more tax credits?????? Hell NO JOB NO INCOME, NO INCOME NO TAXES !!!!!!!! GET A CLUE WASHINGTON

New Medical Term: Stimulus Package; choking with spasms, face turns red with high blood pressure ! Infecting middle class americans . Effects: Takes everything you own, comes with starvation.Cure: Rehab Long Term , with no help ! Notation: Save every penny,get out of debt , your feeding the infection ! Can be confused with credit card addiction.( Just a little humor for the real world.)

John McCain and his cronies really should be put out to pasture to graze. Again and still out of touch with the current issues and crisis'.

If the GOP doesn't support the American people, this administration won't need to investigate the majority of the GOP, for their self-serviant interests of their pocket linings, which have become obvious to everyone, they either participate and pitch in or their paper trail will lead to their convictions of their crimes against the peolple of America along with Bush and Cheney!
Hey GOP, you have a choice, . . . less money and freedom or no money and jail terms!

A. Maes

Is the Republicans in the Senate disagreeing with the Stimulus just to disagree? Since there are only two blacks among the Republicans in the Senate, could this disagreeing be a race thing?

We are about to dump a multi-Trillion dollar bill on the next generation. You would think that helping that generation be ready for the weight we are laying on them would be a no brainer. Then again no brainer and the Republicans seem to have become redundant.

The Republicans are fighting to remove a provision to renovate and modernize the nations’ schools. Not only does that create jobs, but then helps that next generation that will have to pay for the Bush Depression. How sad when the culture of a political party becomes selfish greed and an FU attitude to the least of our society. Arguing against modernization of our education infrastructure just further convinces this country that the Republicans are morally bankrupt, and like the Wiggs they replaced in the mid 19th century, we are witnessing the death of the Republican Party. RIP (and good riddance)

Greed is NOT Good!

I have been listening to the news, watching everything I can concerning this stimulus plan. Sounds as if it is just business as usual. I feel that it makes more sense to give every registered taxpayer in this country, a bailout. I am only guessing as to the work force in our country at around ten million, I don't know if that is too high or a little too low. However, what are these people, like me, a woman of 60yrs. who raised a family, children were all doing well, college educated and I was a single mom of four. I have worked hard all my life, paid taxes, never been on government assistence, but could not get a medical card due to making sixty dollars too much a month to qualify, and yet I worked a paid taxes for someone to sit on their butts and I paid them to do it. Something is very wrong with our system.

What about giving every legal citizen, registered tax payer in this country a bailout of $100,000. that would only be $1.e12 dollars. How does that sound. I agree with the republicans about the birthcontrol, and the national parks, there will be time for that after we get people back to work. I think that by helping the working poor who are the large majority of the people loosing their jobs. I know that is has had an impact on all facets of our jobs. My children have been lucky, except my middle daughter. She was in medical sales, and lost a job of about 150,000 a year. I don't think we should rush this stimulus, I think exact details and plans need to be addressed, and the Amercian people are tired of being kept in the dark. We want to know details, details, details. facts, facts, facts. No more guessing,!

Obama is pushing a national bankrupting “stimulus” plan and trying to scare people into going along and approving it saying it will turn into a catastrophe.That is absurd.Yes people are losing jobs daily out there but it's because Obama hasn't addressed the financial and credit problems with the banks,and the mortgage crisis also created by these Banks. The problems in our economy originated there and is creating every other problem we are having.Businesses cannot sustain and thrive without credit.People or businesses cannot buy without loans and credit.If they cannot continue to run their businesses they cannot stock and support their business,they cannot pay their employees. Of course they have to cut down and that means more people lose jobs! This now is Mr. Obama's fault.He needs to stop blaming,they're gone now and he has the money and control..

This stimulus doesn't even address those issues at all and cannot possibly resolve those problems and end those lay offs.What is Obama waiting for? To pass his wish list that will break the back of our economy and rob all of us? He already has another 350 billion dollars to use to address those Real Issues and The Real Causes Of the problems we're having and He has done nothing with it.He needs to Resolve those two the rest will correct itself with it.In not doing so Obama is deliberately creating-allowing the decline in the economy forcing businesses to come apart.He is the cause for this on going loss of employment by neglecting his responsibility to Resolve The Problem With The Funds He Already Received To Do Exactly That With!

Male no mistake here,that lack of address of the main issues are a deliberate manipulation to achieve his desires and agendas with have little to do with stimulating the economy. Most of what is in that bill has no business being in a stimulus bill at all and can be addressed separately later on in a timely manner and with a fine tooth comb.Obama also needs to pay ACORN out of his own pocket not with our tax dollars.Obama said last night that "that is what a stimulus is.Spending.." That's spending that stimulates our economy Now Mr. Obama! Not 3 years later.That bill doesn't serve the American people in that respect,and much of what I've read in that bill says to me that our government wants to drive the American people into poverty.We don't want or need more government.Jobs and contracts on workable projects need to be in The Private Sector Period.There are more than sufficient amounts of businesses and services in the private that can be contracted for the work needed to stimulate the economy andd create jobs in the private sector NOW. No more government,no more dysfunctional organizations.

Send My Message Out To Mr. Obama:
You have disappointed the American extremely Mr. Obama,you have lied to us,deceived us from the beginning and are misleading the American with this bill..The changes you are trying to bring-force on us will not stand.Address and Resolve The Main Problems with The Money You Have Now Mr. Obama! .Rewrite that bill Completely,the republicans are right this time- it's a travesty and destructive to the American People and The American Dollar.It's Robbing the Country and The American People of Today and Tomorrows, Of A Respectful and Worthy Future.We Say "No!" We don't want your "Bad Bill!" Yeah,Welcome to the new era of responsibility,it's yours.

Resolve the Problem Mr. Obama.Use that $350 Billion dollars you Already Have and resolve those main two problems now-first...

Please Help us!!! People are losing their jobs !!! And like my self, our company is trying to keep us working but cut our jobs back to 2 days a week. We are running out of time, soon jobs that are cut back less than 40 hours will be losing their jobs too !!! Obama, get the whip out !!!!!

Hey Rick,
Here is a thought re: tax cuts or stimulus. Do the republicans know that tax cuts won't amount to anything if there are no jobs created to cut taxes from? Yes, cutting taxes helps companies in normal times to afford hiring more people, but in this scary environment with banks getting breaks but still not lending, who is to say giving companies tax breaks will guarantee new jobs?
joey

I can't believe McCain is against this spending bill but he supported Bush's Bank Bailout that included so much pork. The party that McCain belongs to wants to cut out spending for public schools on this bill! GIVE ME A BREAK! Do they not watch the news? Our public schools are falling apart. If we spend money on building new schools it creates more than just the construction jobs of each building. Where does McCain and his friends think the products come from that go in to building new schools? The construction materials do not fall from the sky, but they come from companies who employ real Americans. I live in Texas but I plan to send money to support anyone that will run against these idiots.

Rick, I wanted you to ask Ali if I reard him right this morning when he said "its good that most of our products are made overseas because there cheaper" Did he bump his head/?Thats what got us in this mess!

At this time the only patient lender and investor in the banks, corporations and the taxpayer is the US Government. When did the Republican Party get economic religion and believe that the corporations who are on US welfare roll can solve the problem at present.
If they can do so the big corporation can return the money to the US.

GOP still does not get it! Lets FIRE them ALL!!

I love Pres. Obama but sometimes he is too much of a gentleman. He must learn that he is playing with thugs in D.C and he has to fight fire with fire; that's what they understand. He should always take his case to the millions of people who put him in office, don't even give those idiots in Washington a chance to open their filthy, lying, mouths.

Thanks Rick, keep up the good work!

I've got a great idea for Congress, Do the line item vote. It's the ONLY way the wheels of government can start turning. They can vote on ONE THING AT A TIME, pass it, and at least one thing at a time can get started on.
I like this way better because each item will have it's own merit, and not tied into not-so-important items.

Ali Bee
ND

Please People we need this ,the 600 million for computers will speed up the time we here at work can down load porn .Have you no heart ....
OK there was 3 million jobs lost in the last year lets say there is 3 million lost this year for a total of 6 million jobs .With 900 billion the price its up to now you could pay all 6 million people 30,000 a year for FIVE YEARS .Thank about that .
For every dollar that goes into goverment only like 60 cents comes out.
Its too BIG .

I am so sick of Republicans! They said nothing as their party ran the US economy over the cliff. Now, they are lining up for the TV cameras and talking non-stop about line items totaling less than 1% of the total stimilus package. Pass the bill and if it does not work, pass another bill. They are class A cry babies! None of their friends that got big Bush tax cuts are out of work,so they can afford to slow roll this package. I hope they pay the price durning the next elections.

The Stimulus bill is needed now. That said, President Obama must realize that while he won the presidential election it wasn't a blank check. The popular vote was roughly 53% for him and 46% against him. These numbers don't indicate that Americans are ready for a complete change in government.
I would love to see a National health care system similar to those in Europe. The time for a more Socialist government, with re-distribution of wealth, may be approaching in this country as well. However; these changes deserve an open debate and should not be tacked onto any other bill, especially a stimulus bill that is so badly needed.
Democrats- If you want to pass a stimulus bill than you must work with the Republicans to do it. Use other bills to "socialize" the country.
Republicans- Your party was defeated by a margin of 7% of the American people so you need to adapt. Get the pork and politics out of the stimulus bill and pass it.

MY RECOVERY PLAN: PAY OVER $8,000 TO EVERY MAN, WOMAN & CHILD IN THE U.S.!

When can we expect ideas that will REALLY help ALL Americans? I am a broke Realtor in Florida, about to lose my home, and faced with staggering medical bills. I have lost faith in the ability of those in power to repair our shattered economy!

Tax cuts do not help jobless people who have no income and thus pay no taxes. Unemployment is not available to the self employed. Putting bailout money in the hands of Wall Street, Detroit, big business, and government entities will provide NO IMMEDIATE RELIEF, particularly where it is most needed.

IF the bailout costs to date, plus the "stimulus" plan currently on the table, were paid instead to each man. woman and child in the U.S., it would amount to OVER $8,000 PER PERSON! Imagine the economic impact of a family of four receiving over $32,000 in one lump sum? The impact on the economy would be immediate and substantial!

BTW, add to that the cost of the War in Iraq, and the total would exceed $12,000 per person!

I wrote my own economic recovery plan months ago, and faxed it to more than 20 senators, congressmen/women and congressional committees, to no avail. I guarantee it would have a more profound impact than anything proposed by the White House or Congress to date! I also wrote a healthcare plan.

Contact me when you decide to get real!

Stimulus bill? No, a damn gravy train. Obama is putting the fear into the news everyday, and the sky will fall if this Obomination doesn't pass. Strip out all the activist crap and pork, and repair the infrastructure and utilities. THAT will create jobs, not the socialist agendas in that bill. Let me quote from Hillary: "He's dangerously naive". And, Biden: " The White House is not the place to learn on the job".

The senate should vote to send the money to the mayors of needy cities! They can get jobs going in a week or less and the real unemployed will be able to find work immediately. Also, the local newspapers will benefit. Can you imagine pages and pages of classified ads? If the mayors received this money, the jobless will be hired in a week or two. GIVE THE MONEY TO THE MAYORS!

Our new President has incurred an economy thats out of this world!
He has only officially taken over since Jan. 20th, 09. Already, he has the fight of his life with the GOPs. They are collecting big fat pay checks while millions of Americans including myself is without jobs and suffering/sacrificing. Instead of working with President Obama, to fix the economy, they fighting with him. The BIG BLAME game here, should be pointed only at the Bush administration, for getting us in this big mess in the first place. Over and out! May God. Bless us all!

Our new President has incurred an economy thats out of this world!
He has only officially taken over since Jan. 20th, 09. Already, he has the fight of his life with the GOPs. They are collecting big fat pay checks while millions of Americans including myself is without jobs and suffering/sacrificing. Instead of working with President Obama, to fix the economy, they fighting with him. The BIG BLAME game here, should be pointed only at the Bush administration, for getting us in this big mess in the first place. Over and out! May God. Bless us all!

If the republicans really want to put more money into business owner's hands, work on Universal Health Care! That will put more money into the hands of business than any tax cut will.

Since our economy is so messed up, why do we hear nothing about the cessation of giving tax monies to other nations? We should be focusing on helping Americans, as selfish as it sounds, and not trying to help third world countries with our tax dollars. It's time our US goal of making all countries the same as ours comes to an end, at least for the time being! Tell Congress and the White House that America needs to come first!

Rick, you said that the press's job is to "criticize" officials, press secretary, etc., No! That's the trouble with the egocentric press now.
The press's job is to ask questions, report the facts, and NOT to be rude and obnoxious. Thanks.
D.F.
Apache Junction, AZ

It is easy to see why the Rep. want the education portion taken out. After all, it was the educated who voted them out in Nov.
Irvat75

You guys not even you Rick can call this man who happen to be a black man Preseident Obama. Then you have a Republican talking about using Taliban tactics when dealing with President Obama. We are headid for conflagration and that is what concerns me. Fifty three percent of American people voted for President Obama. Also lest we forget, there were over 2 million people at the mall and others watching world wide. If they want to start something they cannot finish or see the end of, let them them do it.

White men are losing power for the first time and they do not like it plain and simple.

If we continue on this course with hate groups, white racist talk show hosts then I can say the racial and class climate will be getting worse. Then may God help us.

The Pubs elected a black man as leader of their party biut it was only a trick that should something happens to the Precsident they can say look our leader of our Republican party is black. It is a big time with joke.

Rick, do you have a problem addressing Barack Obama as President Obama? I notice you don't do that very often.

The House has dropped a non-stimulus Bill on the Senate. It will take time for our Senators to re-construct this Bill to benefit Americans, not the Democratic House agenda. Mr. President, don’t rush those devoted Senators that want to serve your struggling people. We need Stimulus not a depression!!

The SBA is an ineffective agancy it needs to be investigated my step bother who worked for the SBA during RITA and Katrina told me they approve less than 16% of a disaster loan appicants and unless you own the real estate where your business is located you are un-elegible for a diaster loan, 90% of all small businesses lease thier space and are not obigated to repair the structures if destroyed.

January 30, 2009

President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

RE: SBA Disaster Loan Application No: 0003512305

Dear President Obama,

Please see what you can do it is now day 120 since my late wife, who killed herself and I submitted our application for disaster relief from the SBA on September 30, 2008. My wife could not take the stress of waiting for an answer from the SBA, while we were losing everything that we had worked for because our business was wiped out by Hurricane IKE. They told us it would only take 21 days for an answer. She killed herself after 45 days. She took her own life because she was suffering from Post Pardon Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome from IKE, plus the added stress of not being able to afford health coverage because of her pre-existing condition and the loss of our business income. They finally gave me a negative answer based stating non eligible because I do not own the property. I have been buying and operating the marina on a lease with an option to purchase. The seller, who had underlying debt could not seller finance the property, but offer to extend our lease and option to mirror the SBA loan, The SBA stated if I were to exercise my option then I would qualify, but there are no lenders out there who currently will loan $1.3 million on a destroyed marina. In fact I have talked with several bankers who tell me no commercial real estate loans are being made because the regulators are telling them they have too much real estate on their books. My wife and I have operated the marina for over 4 years, the lease does not obligate us to repair the property, but if we don’t repair the property we are out of business and will lose our home as well, it became our sole source of income when the banks stopped lending on real estate almost a year before the Hurricane.

The SBA’s standard operating procedure (see Ch.2, Section 13) during the Bush administration, as relayed to me, is based on a faulty premise: that my business is not lost if I am under no obligation to make repairs to the leased premises. This procedure essentially denies relief unless the tenant is explicitly required in their lease to repair the leased premises to their pre-disaster condition. The purpose for this is clear: the SBA does not want to needlessly pay to repair leased premises or tenant improvements when the tenant is not required to do so. In most cases, - restaurants and stores can relocate but would have to get financing for their tenant improvement to start over, but they have lost their business. My business is very specific to this location because it is specific to the unique features of the land. My land lease provides that my landlord has no obligation to repair the leased premises, and that I may terminate the lease when there is a total casualty. If I am to continue my business, however, I have the de facto obligation to repair the leased premises. I must choose to either end my business or pay for the repair because I am tied to the land and cannot relocate. Essentially, the procedure in determining eligibility provides no relief to businesses who are specific to the unique features of their land, but are not required by their landlord to make repairs (a ground lease-style situation).

Please Honorable President see what you can do, it is horrific enough I have lost my wife due to Ike and now must raise my two boys on my own, but to have the SBA so callously refuse to offer any assistance after taking so long to even give me any answer is an insult.
They had been looking for excuse not to help us after Hurricane Ike because the agency was embarrassed by the news story on my wife’s death. Even, if you can not help my family there is no doubt there are other families on the Gulf Coast or victims of other disaster being hurt by the SBA’s dysfunctional policies. Small Businesses are the back bone of our economy, 90 % of small businesses lease their space and are not obligated to repair their premises, yet they own their business and it is how they earn their incomes.

My step brother worked for the SBA disaster teams after Rita and Katrina and told me less than 15% of applicants were approved. The big corporations have gotten bailed out what about the mom and pop main street? I am a small business owner, entrepreneur, real estate broker, developer, eco-warrior and democrat, who now have two young sons Benny age 2 and Jake age 5, that I must raise on my own as mom and pop, please help.

Sincerely,

Garson Silvers

integrity..ethics.. when did politcs go to greed and gimme my piece of the pie.. all i can say is WOW !!!!

If tax cuts are so great why not just eliminate taxes altogether? The republicans still haven't got it. Trickle down from tax cuts haven't worked in the past (name me a few jobs its created) and it won't work now!

Why do these fat cuts on wall street still have their jobs? It I was an executive for a firm where my decisions cost the company billions of dollars I'd be fired. How come this didn't happen with the investment companies and banks. Also, giving stock or buying up worthless properties in excahnage for federal money with no controls or oversite is not the way to go. Tight oversite on all major expenditures is. That way you don't have billions of dollars in bonuses, purchases of business jets and the like and lavish parties. And if there is a thought that executives would walk if they didn't get a bonus I say let them go. Their decisions cost us the mess we're in. Along that line the SEC is totally useless.Not one of them has the vaugest idea of what controls are all about. All of them should be sacked and sent packing forthwith.

I am an Independent but voted for President Obama. Don't the Republicans get the message? What will it take? Maybe we are just going to have to vote all Republicans out of office next election time in 2010.

Dear "Enough!",

Forgot about the GOP and look at Barney Frank, FNMA, FDMAC and the Dem finance oversight committee. THEY allowed this not only to happen over the past five years, but threatened sanctions against banks that didn't loan mortgage money to unqualified applicants. Grow up and do some research instead of the old rhetoric and blame game. What the hell did Pelosi and Reid do for the last two years when the Dems took over? She hid under her desk and Reid did the same. The blame goes all the way around.

Congress and the Senate only know how to agree on three things.
Giving themselves a pay raise.
Goiing on a Junket
Going on a retreat.
All costing the taxpayers money.
When it comes to anything else they can not ageed.

I heard your comment that you don't care what "he" thinks of you or
what somebody else "Bush ???" thinks of you. It is YOUR JOB TO
CRITICIZE HIM. GEE – I THOUGHT A REAL NEWSCASTERS JOB
WAS TO REPORT THE NEWS. EVIDENTLY, I WAS WRONG!!!

His name is president Obama , if CNN can respect the office of the President by Lauren in disgrace in the President's name on Mr. Rick floorshow than maybe he should stick to interviewing women that have more than 14 kids. Say what you want about the president Obama but please respect the man's position. Simply because other countries all watch in your floorshow. Realizing that the only one that you disrespect is President Obama. Senators are called by the proper position, ex-presidents are called by the proper position, respect president Obama.

For once I agree with a comment of yours Mr. Sanchez. The hypocrisy of the Republicans cannot be overstated. The huge deficits run up by BOTH Bush administrations which had to be "bailed out by the Democrats (last time it was the Clinton administration which left office with a surplus after 8 years) cannot be overstated. These are people who are "fiscally responsible"!

The rich just took their 18 billion dollar "stimulus package".
How many jobs they created using this money?
How much money do they need to create a job in US, not in China?

Stop blaming the Repulicans for the mess the economey is in. These subprime morgages that Obamas Acorn lobbied for and Clinton (Bill) made happen to allow people who probably did not have the proper education to manage their own finances and acted wrecklessly to get homes they couldn't afford. This is what broke our econemy and the high fuel prices of the last year broke our back and forced alot of folks who could barely afford their house payment to choose between food and transportation, or pay the house. The cost of food and everything else skyrocketed with the price of fuel. So lets put the blame where it belongs. And lets not push a bill that rewards Obamas buddies that helped get him elected.

Cut the capital gains to 5% and get out of the way .

Hi Rick

I'm not going to listen to any reporters who attack President Obama. For God's sake, he's only been in office a couple weeks. He deserves respect. He's listening to Republicans regarding the stimulus. What more do you want of him?

Republicans helped us get here in the first place. Now they hog the spotlight. They better put their contribution in and pass that bill or a pox upon them!

Kate

The republicans don,t have a magic bullet to fix this problem the stop grandstanding, where they allthis time? they should get this bill pass. After all the president is the only one who is going to be in the hot seat.

Brainstrom-> is this the same thing that the military is on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq all the debate when troops are getting killed ?

Rep's irrelevance is now suicidal. Their "lower taxes" idea is so old it's laughable. Oh and it didn't work cause we tried it.

I think the republicans are just seeking attention. this country elected barrack obama as president, not the republicans or john mccain. stop this hatin'. who cares what they think. their way is what got us in the trouble we're in now. stop this clamor and get on with it. nothing president obama does can be any worse than what they did. people are hungry and need jobs and we don't want what the republicans want. the republicans just want to keep theirs and the their friends–rich folks–pockets lined and leave the poor even poorer. my husband and i lost almost thirty thousands dollars of principle because of these jokers and we're ready to try something new.

Rick,

It seems that the media want to follow Rush Limbaugh's (the drug dealer and abuser) and that of FIX News, in hoping the President fails at every turn. Doesn't that mean then that America fails? Is this what is wanted? All of you were asleep at the wheel as the last administration and their cronies looted the country and left and utter mess that this man is trying to clean up.

Why not give him a chance so that he can try some of the ideas proposed and THEN if they fail, hammer him. There is a distinct double standard here that seems to go far beyond party lines. Things that make one go hmmmmm.

Rick, ask the Repub's why didn't they do in the past eight years when they were in charge what they are so call trying to now. The Republican's are such hypocrisies.

let's keep congress honest and responsive...put CNN cameras in both chambers so that the nation can see who and what they are saying and voting.

Do the Republicans think we're so stupid to think that they have something to offer that we would want?They need to shut up and just sign the package if they want to stay in office.

The Republicans are acting like there is no crisis in the economy. We need to put on our thinking hats and try to help President Obama resolve this economy crisis which he inherited. It is very easy to critisize what you did not compose; especially when you have no valid input. Come on Republicans, America is suffeering. Take off your "EGO" hats, which Edges God Out and put on your Humble hats for the benefit of us, the American people. If you are humble you cannot stumble! Together Everyone Achieves More by Tolerance Endurance Assertiveness and Motivation = TEAM!
Patsy O., PA

Why do it seems like when Republicans reaction is so onesided and have no sign to work with anyone. They seem so blatant and defiant that they can't see no other side it's sad. Why do politics rule over what's right for the people.

Rick, ask the Repub's why didn't they do in the past eight years when they were in charge what they are so call trying to now. The Republican's are obstructionist and hypocrites.

Its amazing how the blame game is being pointed at the new administration that just took over on "Jan 20th,09". Not even a full 30 days in office. Wow people, wake up!. Blame the last 8 years and that administration. When President Clinton, left, the deficit was in a great order. President Bush, messed it up. Now, lets give our new President Obama, a chance and not crusify him before he really gets started. I understand egos are still hurt for those who did not vote for him, but we are all in need of help. Lets give Him a CHANCE to HELP Us! PLEASE!!!!!

Rick, Doesn't congress realize that thier approval rating is 8% and thier bickering oonly enforces the fact that thier main interest is themselves, not he American people. I Don't see them loosing jobs or health care which we pay for.The next time around I hope there are a lot of new faces in Washington.

I agree with all the comments made by: Mrs. Brondena, Michael, Reginald W., Ray, Marilyn, Patsy O. & Mike.

Please lets keep President Obama and the Nation in "Prayers".

God, Help us all!
Carleine

Rick,
To date all we here is the down side for the most part in the news. Regarding the President's recovery package I think it is short of perfect but much better than the Obstructionist republicans response. I suggest those of us that can and want to invest in a stable tender be offered what I would call "Recovery Bonds" much like U.S Savings bonds. There would be a minimum investment of $5,000 with a maturity rate at 8% in 8 years. These bonds would be offered to various healthy businesses. A business would of course invest at a higher value and partner with the U.S. government for assurance. We need to replensish our government and I think business should lead the way.

I agree with all the comments made by: Mrs. Brondena, Michael, Reginald W., Ray, Marilyn, Patsy O. & Mike.

Please lets keep President Obama and the Nation in “Prayers”.

God, Help us all!
Carline

FEB. 6, 2009. HE GOP'S ENJOY THEIR OPPOSITION ( LIKE JACKALS ) TO THE STIMULUS PACKAGE

Those people from the GOP's party, feel great for they are doing the only thing they know how to do effectively...SCREW OTHER as long they do live better. Think about the war in IRAQ, who are the ones benefited...the higher-ups in their GOP'S HIERARCHY, and all the domino effect of BN's down the line.

The only guilty ones of what is happening to the USA, and the AMERICAN PEOPLE now days is the GOP's political STRUCTURE. They can not blame IT on the DEMOCRATS any more. The world is watching.

They can enjoy – HAPPILY for they are SAVORING ( like jackal's) their opposition to the President's alternative...THE STIMULUS PLAN – seeing our country going down to its EXTINCTION, for they have piled up all the benefits – riches – of all those MANUFACTURED wars of the past and present, and they can endure any rough times; for their riches – which they have piled up using our X-good capitalism system – may last them ages.

For the system is good until it becomes bad. We have reach that point due to the insensitivity, indolence, and the EGOTISTIC attitude of the GOP'S political party and all its followers. I thank those who think they are acting well, but reality tells you different.

I am a highly capitalistic individual, but not not a mercenary with my own people. What the GOP's senators and those who favor "PORK BARREL FOR THE WEALTHY ONES ONLY",surely they ALONE are making their biggest mistake of their live – for their is always a pay -back time for everything.

Time will tell and act accordingly, for the elements of change are in place, and they are the only OBSTACLE for turning around, and make USA come back up – and make not mistake about it, for the world is watching – not CLEAN for it is too late, but at least with some durable, and capable to endure ( which you can count them with one hand) allies in the future WORLD AFFAIRS.

Time will tell...!!!
The time has ripened....!!!
Change is coming...no matter what.
With GOP's favor or not...it is coming.

A concerned citizen.

this is what happens when the rich have to decide how the poor will survie. Take congress pay away, make them face reality. The people in charge have no idea what real life is all about. Wake up too big government.

lets c, oh yes the stimulus pact,whats wrong with these people they going to wake up from a dream and b dead, com on and pass the vote. swobster911on the twitter....................

Lets get real! Clinton left office and the angels were singing and the whole word was in order with our national deficit. lol
The next administration took over and not even a year into his first term OUR NATION WAS ATTACKED! THE DEMS RAN CONGRESS. The lost their majority when they fouled up just like they want to now. Who really runs the country? Congress! Even though GW was in office the DEMS who went along with him for both wars we are in were the ones with their hands on the perse strings. I say the heck with both parties. We are AMERICANS FIRST, and need a stimulas that is not full of *%$# PORK. This is our childrens future we are looking at here!

Tax Cuts vs Government Direct Spending
When you give tax cuts to companies two things are most likely to happen;
(1) This will swell the profit after tax of the recipient companies and this can be used in two
Main ways
(a)Pay dividends and or distribute bonuses or
(b) Plough back some of the profits into company growth (eg expansion of capital assets)
This will take longer time to translate into more jobs
However if government spends the much of the funds on the envisaged projects( infrastructure ) the following will be most likely:
(a) More jobs will most likely be created for those who will be employed on these various projects.
(b) Those employed on these projects will have money to spend on consumption goods, pay some of their mortgages, buy automobiles etc
(c) The multiplier effect on the economy will further improve the state of the economy.
NDEFO

The American people are diverse and come from different backgrounds. But the one thing in common is that we would like that our tax money is spent WISELY. The current stimulus reflect a lot of spending that may not stimulate the economy. Yes, we need to spend in order to stimulate the economy, but when we spend, it has to be backed up by WISE decisions. Mr. Obama only cares about the passing of the stimulus because it is from his party, not considering the voice of the others. It does not matter which party is the majority, what matters is WHAT IS MORALLY WISE for the Americans. The president is not governing nor leading! He is in campaign mode and attacking those who criticize him. What good will this strategy of campaigning do when the election is over and it is time to GOVERN and LEAD the nation? He is being lead by Pelosi in this stimulus. Yet, he demands his way or his party's way - are we heading to totalitarianism???

I simply cannot understand why or how some republican voters can still defend "unrestrained" free market principles. Hasn't it become clear to every sane person on the planet that unless moral restraint is the cornerstone of a free market it will inevitably FAIL. It will FAIL EVERY TIME!. Ladies and gentlemen of the republican party greed and selfishness has brought us to this day. Quit defending indefensible behavior. Our democracy will only thrive if we the people will exercise self restraint and are respectful to the needs of those less fortunate. The experiment of the American democracy, though imperfect , offers the best hope to man, but it requires that the most fortunate of us are always mindful of the least fortunate of us. I pray we will come to understand that we're all in this together and it will take all of us working together for things to improve.

Should we compliment the Republicans on their tremendous increase
in efficiency, after all, it took them 8 years to prove that they were bad
winners and only a few days to prove that they are bad losers!!

The economic situation is due to global corporate greed. The banks were greedy making bad loans they shouldn't have. Wall Street was greedy investing beyond their means. Worst of all, the Republicans were greedy giving tax cuts to the wealthy, expecting something to trickle down. Rick, the only thing that trickles down from the affluent is the effluence they leave behind.

i agree with bill burch and addition the lack of accountability.. what the. 350 billion and we dont know where it is.. wish i could be that lost

Are the Democrats still demanding money from the stimulus for acorn?

Re: Stimulus Package for Immediate Results

Dear President Obama,

Below please find my suggestions for an economic stimulus package that would provide instant relief to the American people as well as immediate results to the struggling economy. It is unclear and absolutely amazing why congress has not considered this very simple solution.

You and congress have an obligation to the American people to put their interests first. Every package that has been proposed deals with special interests needs which is taking away from the real issues. I am not against special interests or social interests but this is not the forum for those matters. This does not seem to be consistent with your statement that you would bring change to Washington.

My proposal is to allow every homeowner who is currently making their mortgage payments to refinance at 4.5% interest rate with a 30 year fixed term regardless of the value of their home versus their loan amount.

Some key benefits of this plan are that it would be fair and offered to all homeowners. This would not allow loans over existing balances except for reasonable closing costs, which would need to be pre determined at a flat fixed amount.

The benefits are many and would include:

• Instant spendable income for every household that would bring immediate simulate to the economy. This would help the failing retail and auto makers as well.
• The infrastructure that permits this change is already in place, thus allowing instantaneous results.
• Creates an economy that is not dependant on future government spending. This would reduce the need for future government bailouts.
• Reduce the number of foreclosures thereby strengthening our financial institutions nationwide and their dependency on government aide.
• Homeowners who were upside down on their loans would be forced to stay in their homes keeping them off the market. This would, reduce the housing supply and increase the demand, which would stop the housing prices from lowering and allow the values to grow again.
• Increase government tax revenue as the average homeowners interest write off’s would be slightly lower

I believe we should be helping the American people and not Corporate America. The only way our economy will get back on track is from the bottom up and not from the top down. This plan will reach the American people quickly, which will bring immediate results to the economy.

Criticize, criticize!
How can any one man be expected to restore a country that is in such dis-repair in less than 30 days. Have you ever tried to restore any age old relic. It took Bush, the GOPand Wallstreet more than eight years to dismantle America!
The “Miracle on the Hudson” was one thing but please citizens as long as the GOP is still over staying their welcome and holding hands with Wallstreet we’re going to need to fight for our freedom.
This is a modern version of the “Civil War”. Brother against brother.
This is only the start and if you don’t believe that, believe in history. History will tell you how hard it is for “human behavior” to learn a lesson. It is documented! But not only ink either!
There has been and there will be more “collateral damage”.
First we must accept the pain and then move on.
With our newly found administration it will happen, but not today.
Let’s clear our heads and make the next step work for us.
The Politicians that we voted for are in their trying to do their job.
The majority of the voters did NOT vote in the GOP! The GOP are still in denial.
The old and tired GOP will always try to protect their feeding gound.
which is shrinking in size everyday.

A. Maes

The bankers and ceo's are now the new NAZI's
economic terrorism should be dealt with harshly.. not house arrest..

Why not start a FEDERAL BANK.. redo mortages, etc.. let all the others GTH

Rick, when we lost our jobs to NAFTA here in the US several years back we did not loot and pillage banks. The bank that were transferring payments off shore. What are we seeing here in the USA that the Europeans are not?

Rick,

Aside from your status of one of the most twittered as acknowledged by your precious young daughter. You have become one of the most brave by addressing the gun control argument today. The Beckniacs are on the loose. Our children and grandchildren are less safe because of their assault gun rhetoric and mania. Stay strong brother.

Rick,

The Somali young man that is in custody should stay in custody simply because our prisons are already full of misguided African American youth that accepted their punishment based on the law of the land. We still have poverty here in the USA. People must be free to travel this world without being held up because someone else wants what another may have.