Stimulus Bill Draft Circulated By Dems: Full Text

A draft summary of the stimulus plan is circulating among House Democrats on the Hill. Below is the outline of the $825 billion proposal:

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SUMMARY: AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT

The economy is in a crisis not seen since the Great Depression.

Credit is frozen, consumer purchasing power is in decline, in the last four months the country has lost 2 million jobs and we are expected to lose another 3 to 5 million in the next year.

Conservative economist Mark Zandi was blunt: "the economy is shutting down."

In the next two weeks, the Congress will be considering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009. This package is the first crucial step in a concerted effort to create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, jumpstart our economy, and begin the process of transforming it for the 21st century with $275 billion in economic recovery tax cuts and $550 billion in thoughtful and carefully targeted priority investments with unprecedented accountability measures built in.

The package contains targeted efforts in:

· Clean, Efficient, American Energy

· Transforming our Economy with Science and Technology

· Modernizing Roads, Bridges, Transit and Waterways

· Education for the 21st Century

· Tax Cuts to Make Work Pay and Create Jobs

· Lowering Healthcare Costs

· Helping Workers Hurt by the Economy

· Saving Public Sector Jobs and Protect Vital Services

The economy is in such trouble that, even with passage of this package, unemployment rates are expected to rise to between eight and nine percent this year. Without this package, we are warned that unemployment could explode to near twelve percent. With passage of this package, we will face a large deficit for years to come. Without it, those deficits will be devastating and we face the risk of economic chaos. Tough choices have been made in this legislation and fiscal discipline will demand more tough choices in years to come.

Since 2001, as worker productivity went up, 96% of the income growth in this country went to the wealthiest 10% of society. While they were benefitting from record high worker productivity, the remaining 90% of Americans were struggling to sustain their standard of living. They sustained it by borrowing... and borrowing... and borrowing, and when they couldn't borrow anymore, the bottom fell out. This plan will strengthen the middle class, not just Wall Street CEOs and special interests in Washington.

Our short term task is to try to prevent the loss of millions of jobs and get our economy moving. The long term task is to make the needed investments that restore the ability of average middle income families to increase their income and build a decent future for their children.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Unprecedented Accountability: A historic level of transparency, oversight and accountability will help guarantee taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and Americans can see results for their investment.

· In many instances funds are distributed through existing formulas to programs with proven track records and accountability measures already in place.

· How funds are spent, all announcements of contract and grant competitions and awards, and formula grant allocations must be posted on a special website created by the President. Program managers will also be listed so the public knows who to hold accountable.

· Public notification of funding must include a description of the investment funded, the purpose, the total cost and why the activity should be funded with recovery dollars. Governors, mayors or others making funding decisions must personally certify that the investment has been fully vetted and is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. This will also be placed on the recovery website.

· A Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board will be created to review management of recovery dollars and provide early warning of problems. The seven member board includes Inspectors General and Deputy Cabinet secretaries.

· The Government Accountability Office and the Inspectors General are provided additional funding and access for special review of recovery funding.

· Federal and state whistleblowers who report fraud and abuse are protected.

· There are no earmarks in this package.

This plan targets investments to key areas that will create and preserve good jobs at the same time as it is strengthening the ability of this economy to become more efficient and produce more opportunities for employment.

Clean, Efficient, American Energy: To put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow, we will strengthen efforts directed at doubling renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient.

· $32 billion to transform the nation's energy transmission, distribution, and production systems by allowing for a smarter and better grid and focusing investment in renewable technology.

· $16 billion to repair public housing and make key energy efficiency retrofits.

· $6 billion to weatherize modest-income homes.

Transform our Economy with Science and Technology: We need to put scientists to work looking for the next great discovery, creating jobs in cutting-edge-technologies, and making smart investments that will help businesses in every community succeed in a global economy. For every dollar invested in broadband the economy sees a ten-fold return on that investment.

· $10 billion for science facilities, research, and instrumentation.

· $6 billion to expand broadband internet access so businesses in rural and other underserved areas can link up to the global economy.

Modernize Roads, Bridges, Transit and Waterways: To build a 21st century economy, we must engage contractors across the nation to create jobs rebuilding our crumbling roads, and bridges, modernize public buildings, and put people to work cleaning our air, water and land.

· $30 billion for highway construction;

· $31 billion to modernize federal and other public infrastructure with investments that lead to long term energy cost savings;

· $19 billion for clean water, flood control, and environmental restoration investments;

· $10 billion for transit and rail to reduce traffic congestion and gas consumption.

Education for the 21st Century: To enable more children to learn in 21st century classrooms, labs, and libraries to help our kids compete with any worker in the world, this package provides:

· $41 billion to local school districts through Title I ($13 billion), IDEA ($13 billion), a new School Modernization and Repair Program ($14 billion), and the Education Technology program ($1 billion).

· $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cutbacks to key services, including $39 billion to local school districts and public colleges and universities distributed through existing state and federal formulas, $15 billion to states as bonus grants as a reward for meeting key performance measures, and $25 billion to states for other high priority needs such as public safety and other critical services, which may include education.

· $15.6 billion to increase the Pell grant by $500.

· $6 billion for higher education modernization.

Tax Cuts to Make Work Pay and Create Jobs: We will provide direct tax relief to 95 percent of American workers, and spur investment and job growth for American Businesses. [marked up by the Ways and Means Committee]

Lower Healthcare Costs: To save not only jobs, but money and lives, we will update and computerize our healthcare system to cut red tape, prevent medical mistakes, and help reduce healthcare costs by billions of dollars each year.

· $20 billion for health information technology to prevent medical mistakes, provide better care to patients and introduce cost-saving efficiencies.

· $4.1 billion to provide for preventative care and to evaluate the most effective healthcare treatments.

Help Workers Hurt by the Economy: High unemployment and rising costs have outpaced Americans' paychecks. We will help workers train and find jobs, and help struggling families make ends meet.

· $43 billion for increased unemployment benefits and job training.

· $39 billion to support those who lose their jobs by helping them to pay the cost of keeping their employer provided healthcare under COBRA and providing short-term options to be covered by Medicaid.

· $20 billion to increase the food stamp benefit by over 13% in order to help defray rising food costs.

Save Public Sector Jobs and Protect Vital Services: We will provide relief to states, so they can continue to employ teachers, firefighters and police officers and provide vital services without having to unnecessarily raise middle class taxes.

· $87 billion for a temporary increase in the Medicaid matching rate.

· $4 billion for state and local law enforcement funding.

DETAILED SUMMARY

CREATE JOBS WITH CLEAN, EFFICIENT, AMERICAN ENERGY

To put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow, we will make investments aimed at doubling renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient. America's energy shortcomings present a huge opportunity to put people to work in ways that will transform our economy.

· Reliable, Efficient Electricity Grid: $11 billion for research and development, pilot projects, and federal matching funds for the Smart Grid Investment Program to modernize the electricity grid making it more efficient, secure, and reliable and build new power lines to transmit clean, renewable energy from sources throughout the nation.

· Renewable Energy Loan Guarantees: $8 billion for loans for renewable energy power generation and transmission projects.

· GSA Federal Buildings: $6.7 billion for renovations and repairs to federal buildings including at least $6 billion focused on increasing energy efficiency and conservation. Projects are selected based on GSA's ready-to-go priority list.

· Local Government Energy Efficiency Block Grants: $6.9 billion to help state and local governments make investments that make them more energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions.

· Energy Efficiency Housing Retrofits: $2.5 billion for a new program to upgrade HUD sponsored low-income housing to increase energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and furnaces. Funds will be competitively awarded.

· Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research: $2 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities to foster energy independence, reduce carbon emissions, and cut utility bills. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis to universities, companies, and national laboratories.

· Advanced Battery Loans and Grants: $2 billion for the Advanced Battery Loan Guarantee and Grants Program, to support U.S. manufacturers of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems. America should lead the world in transforming the way automobiles are powered.

· Energy Efficiency Grants and Loans for Institutions: $1.5 billion for energy sustainability and efficiency grants and loans to help school districts, institutes of higher education, local governments, and municipal utilities implement projects that will make them more energy efficient.

· Home Weatherization: $6.2 billion to help low-income families reduce their energy costs by weatherizing their homes and make our country more energy efficient.

· Smart Appliances: $300 million to provide consumers with rebates for buying energy efficient Energy Star products to replace old appliances, which will lower energy bills.

· GSA Federal Fleet: $600 million to replace older vehicles owned by the federal government with alternative fuel automobiles that will save on fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions.

· Electric Transportation: $200 million for a new grant program to encourage electric vehicle technologies.

· Cleaning Fossil Energy: $2.4 billion for carbon capture and sequestration technology demonstration projects. This funding will provide valuable information necessary to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere from industrial facilities and fossil fuel power plants.

· Department of Defense Research: $350 million for research into using renewable energy to power weapons systems and military bases.

· Alternative Buses and Trucks: $400 million to help state and local governments purchase efficient alternative fuel vehicles to reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions.

· Industrial Energy Efficiency: $500 million for energy efficient manufacturing demonstration projects.

Diesel Emissions Reduction: $300 million for grants and loans to state and local governments for projects that reduce diesel emissions, benefiting public health and reducing global warming. This includes technologies to retrofit emission exhaust systems on school buses, replace engines and vehicles, and establish anti-idling programs. 70% of the funds go to competitive grants and 30% funds grants to states with approved programs. Last year EPA was able to fund only 27% of the applications received.

TRANSFORMING OUR ECONOMY WITH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

We need to put scientists to work looking for the next great discovery, creating jobs in cutting-edge technologies and making smart investments that will help businesses in every community succeed in a global economy.

Broadband to Give Every Community Access to the Global Economy
· Wireless and Broadband Grants: $6 billion for broadband and wireless services in underserved areas to strengthen the economy and provide business and job opportunities in every section of America with benefits to e-commerce, education, and healthcare. For every dollar invested in broadband the economy sees a ten-fold return on that investment.

Scientific Research

· National Science Foundation: $3 billion, including $2 billion for expanding employment opportunities in fundamental science and engineering to meet environmental challenges and to improve global economic competitiveness, $400 million to build major research facilities that perform cutting edge science, $300 million for major research equipment shared by institutions of higher education and other scientists, $200 million to repair and modernize science and engineering research facilities at the nation's institutions of higher education and other science labs, and $100 million is also included to improve instruction in science, math and engineering.

· National Institutes of Health Biomedical Research: $2 billion, including $1.5 billion for expanding good jobs in biomedical research to study diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer, and heart disease - NIH is currently able to fund less than 20% of approved applications - and $500 million to implement the repair and improvement strategic plan developed by the NIH for its campuses.

· University Research Facilities: $1.5 billion for NIH to renovate university research facilities and help them compete for biomedical research grants. The National Science Foundation estimates a maintenance backlog of $3.9 billion in biological science research space. Funds are awarded competitively.

· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: $462 million to enable CDC to complete its Buildings and Facilities Master Plan, as well as renovations and construction needs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

· Department of Energy: $1.9 billion for basic research into the physical sciences including high-energy physics, nuclear physics, and fusion energy sciences and improvements to DOE laboratories and scientific facilities. $400 million is for the Advanced Research Project Agency - Energy to support high-risk, high-payoff research into energy sources and energy efficiency.

· NASA: $600 million, including $400 million to put more scientists to work doing climate change research, including Earth science research recommended by the National Academies, satellite sensors that measure solar radiation critical to understanding climate change, and a thermal infrared sensor to the Landsat Continuing Mapper necessary for water management, particularly in the western states; $150 million for research, development, and demonstration to improve aviation safety and Next Generation air traffic control (NextGen); and $50 million to repair NASA centers damaged by hurricanes and floods last year.

· Biomedical Advanced Research and Development, Pandemic Flu, and Cyber Security: $900 million to prepare for a pandemic influenza, support advanced development of medical countermeasures for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, and for cyber security protections at HHS.

· National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Satellites and Sensors: $600 million for satellite development and acquisitions, including climate sensors and climate modeling.

· National Institute of Standards and Technology: $300 million for competitive construction grants for research science buildings at colleges, universities, and other research organizations and $100 million to coordinate research efforts of laboratories and national research facilities by setting interoperability standards for manufacturing.

· Agricultural Research Service: $209 million for agricultural research facilities across the country. ARS has a list of deferred maintenance work at facilities of roughly $315 million.

· U.S. Geological Survey: $200 million to repair and modernize U.S.G.S. science facilities and equipment, including improvements to laboratories, earthquake monitoring systems, and computing capacity.

Creating Small Business Opportunity

· Small Business Credit: $430 million for new direct lending and loan guarantee authorities to make loans more attractive to lenders and free up capital. The number of loans guaranteed under the SBA's 7(a) business loan program was down 57% in the first quarter of this year compared to last.

· Rural Business-Cooperative Service: $100 million for rural business grants and loans to guarantee $2 billion in loans for rural businesses at a time of unprecedented demand due to the credit crunch. Private sector lenders are increasingly turning to this program to help businesses get access to capital.

· Industrial Technology Services: $100 million, including $70 million for the Technology Innovation Program to accelerate research in potentially revolutionary technologies with high job growth potential, and $30 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships to help small and mid-size manufacturers compete globally by providing them with access to technology.

· Economic Development Assistance: $250 million to address long-term economic distress in urban industrial cores and rural areas distributed based on need and ability to create jobs and attract private investment. EDA leverages $10 in private investments for $1 in federal funds.

DTV Conversion Coupons: $650 million to continue the coupon program to enable American households to convert from analog television transmission to digital transmission.

MODERNIZE ROADS, BRIDGES, TRANSIT AND WATERWAYS

To build a 21st century economy, we must engage contractors across the nation to create jobs - rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, modernizing public buildings, and putting people to work cleaning our air, water, and land.

Highway Infrastructure: $30 billion for highway and bridge construction projects. It is estimated that states have over 5,100 projects totaling over $64 billion that could be awarded within 180 days. These projects create jobs in the short term while saving commuters time and money in the long term. In 2006, the Department of Transportation estimated $8.5 billion was needed to maintain current systems and $61.4 billion was needed to improve highways and bridges.

Transit: Public transportation saves Americans time and money, saving as much as 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline and reducing carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons each year.

· New Construction: $1 billion for Capital Investment Grants for new commuter rail or other light rail systems to increase public use of mass transit and to speed projects already in construction. The Federal Transit Administration has $2.4 billion in pre-approved projects.

· Upgrades and Repair: $2 billion to modernize existing transit systems, including renovations to stations, security systems, computers, equipment, structures, signals, and communications. Funds will be distributed through the existing formula. The repair backlog is nearly $50 billion.

· Transit Capital Assistance: $6 billion to purchase buses and equipment needed to increase public transportation and improve intermodal and transit facilities. The Department of Transportation estimates a $3.2 billion maintenance backlog and $9.2 billion in needed improvements. The American Public Transportation Association identified 787 ready-to-go transit projects totaling $15.5 billion. Funds will be distributed through the existing formulas.

Amtrak and Intercity Passenger Rail Construction Grants: $1.1 billion to improve the speed and capacity of intercity passenger rail service. The Department of Transportation's Inspector General estimates the North East Corridor alone has a backlog of over $10 billion.

Comments

[Rural Juror]

07:10 AM on 02/03/2009

Don't they get it? FIX THE HOUSING CRISIS!

Add in something about home mortgages and it will work. There are some great things here, but again, the blood letting started with housing.

Correct the housing problem, then implement the programs in this bill and the recovery will start.

[JamesKlichII]

07:32 PM on 01/21/2009

This is a very good start! My only concern is we will see an increase in home foreclosures. To combat this it would be nice if we could give all Americans a home interest rate of 3.5% to 4.0%. It would change the way we do business in the United States but in the long run people could afford to live. I know this would fix the economy ASAP!

[marijam]

05:28 AM on 01/20/2009

Must read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/19/opinion/19krugman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

[schatsie]

08:37 AM on 01/19/2009

PLEASE consider the following 3 points in hiring..
1. what is their stock in trade? That is, is their stock in trade making money for banks? If so the same skills do not necessarily transfer to monitoring the bailout.
2. what is their next career move? back to wall street, a lobbiest for the banks..etc. a position at Boeing...
3. what is the greatest thing they have done, their greatest risk..
So the fact is we should be monitoring, auditing and recusing these people and their close friends from making decisions as to what we taxpayers are funding...They can manage/supervise but not make decisions... READ about so called control mechanisms....the government and even Big Bidness has been gutted of the people who realized the FIDUCIARY Responsibility of ANY ORGANIZATION....

[socalrepublicansdotcom]

02:07 PM on 01/17/2009

Full text? The full text is at "read the stimulus dot org". 334 pages. And there is a search box.

Is it really so offensive to many of you that the conservative philosophy does say, you can do it, you can rely on yourself and that government is often more of an impediment (or an enabler) than a friend?

Reading some of these comments, one gets the feeling that some people think after they leave the shelter of their parents' home, they transition to a world where the government takes over as the safe haven provider. What happened to Liberty and Freedom? I guess it's just too much for some people to be out there free in the world.

For a minute let's say it is nice to have someone covering your back - what makes some Washington politician smarter and more in touch with your best interests than you? Today the Democrats are in power and you trust them, but if we hand over so much decision making to government that means the Republicans will have that control over you when things eventually swing back there way. What then? Might you regret the yolk at that time? How did it feel under George Bush's boot heel?! Lol. Seems government wasn't your BFF then Think it through folks...

Listen to you buddy Stuart Smally, People like you. You are good. You can do it. Harry Reid is not smarter than you.

[slarabee]

12:30 PM on 01/22/2009

Sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, Red State. I think that says it all.
You guys had your chance and blew it.

[ConstructionStaffing]

03:24 PM on 01/16/2009

The greatest asset construction staffing
offers is the nationwide reach of skilled tradesmen and journeymen electricians.

If you land the big job or just need an extra hand, consider staffing

http://www.gruspersonnel.com

[PNG]

02:53 PM on 01/16/2009

Just had a quick read at some of your threads.You people need to re-read the proposal; "No Earmarks" i.e. no pork barrel spending. Also, the focus is on the more immediate way of creating new jobs under an economy extremely compressed. INFRASTRUCTURE .

This is the FDR plan re-constituted,; altered to fit present-tense situational circumstances unique to this melt-down . Is it perfect? No. But it is the most concrete plan ever brought by Obama and his current team.

The only concern I have is the alleged oversight that is to be transparent. If Obama could decentralize the role of the Federal Reserve at the end of all this, then we will no longer have to depend on them to control our economy. They helped wreck this in the first place, along with a consumer culture that spent wildly out of control, and was given the means to do so.

[23000Days]

02:49 PM on 01/16/2009

Good plan. Every dollar will end up being spent in the economy, which is the whole purpose of the stimulus bill. In the end, dollars changing hand at the street level enrich the entire economy.

Truth is, you can nit-pick this bill to death based on your personal perceptions of how the money should be spent, or you can realize that it will be very beneficial to the larger economy while creating long-term benefits for us all, in it's current form.

[Bjarni]

02:46 PM on 01/16/2009

Democrats sneak Net neutrality rules into 'stimulus' bill
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10144035-38.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

[957]

07:38 AM on 01/16/2009

The scary part is the same people who got us into this mess wrote this thing..This is not "change" its just rolling back to 1998. Lowing cost of Cobra? The whole cobra system should be scrapped, you ever talk to those people at cobra, they treat you like dirt, rarely return your calls and are very rude. Plus the cost is ridiculous even if its halved its still to high. What happened to equal healthcare for all? Obama is throwing senior citizens under the bus to boot. Tell me I live 200 miles from a large city in town of 800, what is this "plan" going to do for us....nothing it only gives to city folks.

[Peter007]

06:41 AM on 01/16/2009

Pork, pork, and more pork.
If you have a business that relies on special government funding, you can start your application process now. Washington DC is a city of special interest groups filling out paper work in an attempt to get free cash. Government, quasi-government, educational institutions, government workers, unions, and business that rely on government contracts will benefit.
The Obama plan gives so many groups free cash that it gives the appearance of helping everyone. It's filled with feel good phrases , like green energy, solar power, renewable energy.
These types of business have been around for many years. The problem is that they can't compete with traditional energy sources. Hoping that technology will make them more economical is like waiting for the 2nd coming of Christ. You need to be a true believer.
Its easy to gamble with other peoples money. The politicians have never produced any jobs in their entire life with their own money. Now, the Obama freaks, are hoping that people , that have no expertise in producing jobs, will somehow get smart, and learn how jobs are created..
I blame GW Bush for creating such an atmosphere of despair, that any goofy plan will be seen as an improvement.

[PNG]

03:09 PM on 01/16/2009

Peter 007:

Clinton created 20 million-plus jobs under his administration.

The problems wrought by the deregulation of the financial sector started, oddly, with the S&L scandal of the 80's under the Reagan Administration, which has since allowed the mortgaging of homes to be used as a financial investment out of context with home ownership, creating the housing bubble of over-valuing which was pervasive through the 90's and finally imploded in '07.

Obama's plan is heavily-rooted in the FDR 'New Deal' format, adjusted to reflect the nature of the current crisis in present tense and form. It is easy to sit back and reticule him when this is just a draft that hasn't even been approved in its entirety yet.

I have also a hateful disdain of Government at this point, and this plan is not perfect. There is no such animal at this stage. You should read it again and review the "New Deal' as well before you pile on. The man hasn't even screwed up yet..and its not even January 20th.

[Sunmaker]

09:12 PM on 01/15/2009

I am little dismayed in the fact that the 305 million households in the US are not receiving any direct money, which is rightfully theirs, and their grandchildren will be paying on this money for years to come. If each household received $l0,000.00 imagine what they could do. Start a small business, add solar to their home, insulation, buy a used car, (as their's has probably been repossessed), down payment on a home, etc. etc. Many people have had their phones turned off, living with relatives, and in very dire straits. Many have been waiting on food stamps for months, no medical care due to lost jobs, most of all they are loosing hope as they need "immediate" help, not 2-3 years down the road. If people are retrained for jobs, how are they going to get to school? This is the most pitiful mess our country could ever be in and it seems big government will stay big, and the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Looks to me as if they want to do away with the middle class so they won't have to hear us whine. As far as home mortgages, what about all the people who have already lost their home, job, credit ? Who will help them? It is way above my head on these matters but I still think if you put enough money in the Americans pockets instead of Big Business, we could get ourselves out of this mess.

[GrainOSand]

09:48 PM on 01/15/2009

To those who are hurting, who have lost their job, lost their home, who are drowning in debt, I pray for you because once again it seems, you are not the priority. The GOP says that if you are struggling it is your fault anyway. The Democrats and/or the authors of this proposal seem to be saying "we care", yet what is revealed is that they lack creativity and vision in caring. I have faith that Mr. Obama does care, and this proposal is what I would call a good first swipe at a massive problem. I am not shocked that it is not radical in its approach for that is politics and that is the nature of change (slowly I turn...step by painful step). A bold and immediate approach to transformation of society will (unfortunately) require greater suffering and resulting outrage before politicians are ever inspired to think, not outside the box, but outside the bubble of their being rich, "educated" (indoctrinated), and insulated from what actually happens on Main Street. It is apparent that Washington is a fishbowl. Polls and political calculations concerning career continue to drive legslation. When death of children due to hunger and homelessness and lawlessness due to despair and hopelessness becomes systemic and widely reported, only then will bubbles of insulation burst. Courage in politics is not a gathering storm but a gathering mob -- for most politicians anyway.

[GrainOSand]

05:03 AM on 01/16/2009

Mr. Obama looks to leave the fishbowl and take his plan to the people. I hope in doing so he listens to real Americans who are struggling and tailors his approach accordingly. He is taking steps in the right direction and that in itself is a good sign. There is no magic cure and anyone who is reasonable understands that. I feel for all the young people just starting out and the retirees who now need to consider a return to work. I saw this storm coming over five years ago and (through a series of events) downsized appropriately, but many were caught unaware in the shifting economic tide. I keep the faith that between a new and wise leader and an invigorated populace, America just might get over the hump. Anyway sunmaker, I was drawn to try and give some words of encouragement beyond my initial response to your comment. I too was struck by the lack of direct help for families but the road is hard and the hill is steep. Prudence says patience is the operative word.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090116/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_economy

Peace, love, and well being to you and yours

[theone718]

07:42 PM on 01/15/2009

Is it me or are they shorthanding(hilarious to say with the amount of money on the table) the infrastructure and transit spending? If you read the amount they are awarding and the amount that is stated there is an odd discrepency between the two. Seems like there is more we can do when it comes to that.

[theone718]

07:38 PM on 01/15/2009

"Highway Infrastructure: $30 billion for highway and bridge construction projects. It is estimated that states have over 5,100 projects totaling over $64 billion that could be awarded within 180 days"

Then why are they only using 30 billion if 64 billion dollars worth of projects can be made QUICKLY.

[GrainOSand]

09:54 PM on 01/15/2009

I commend the people involved with coming up with an approach to the ailing economy. It would not due for me to be critical without acknowledging the efforts of the many people who have been involved in the effort to stave off disaster.

That said, I find the plan is lacking. It appears that its’ authors have no idea of how Main Street really functions and it also appears that they are spending huge sums of money without directly addressing those in society who are struggling to stay afloat now. If people are hanging on by their nails, this package suggests they better have strong nails for it is going to be a wait for true impact. I also find the transportation aspect of the legislation lacking. High speed rail is needed in this country and the proposal suggests "speeding up" versus implementing and transforming from the ground up.

The government had no problem helping individual companies, but still seems hard pressed to assist individual consumers who drive the market, staff the jobs of corporations, and produce the profits that allow some to get very rich while others struggle on through life -- the maggot or vulture approach.

Mr. Obama will soon be on the job and I see this plan as first gear. I look for future shifts that bring more throttle to the situation. I believe he has it in him to be successful but he cannot do it without the help of the people.

[GrainOSand]

10:12 PM on 01/15/2009

"would not do".

[sueinmn]

07:36 PM on 01/15/2009

How does everyone assure many of these jobs stay out of the hands of political favors, companies that employ illegals and companys from out of state competing in the job markets. Our I35 bridge replacement went to a california company. local companies were not invited to bid and those out of state bidders were given bonuses to bid. like 200,000.00 just to submit a bid by invite. then 1-2 million for early completion. many locals were employed, crane operators, cement companies, but the general where most of the money went was from CA. These stimulus need to remain as local help!!!
It is very interesting how much politics play in contracts handed out and this worries me as the playing feild is tilted heavily.

[sueinmn]

07:37 PM on 01/15/2009

Minnesota interstate 35 bridge collapse

[drvck70]

09:54 PM on 01/15/2009

I worked for a Canadian company, PCL, that built the Chesapeake Bay P-Crossing in Virginia, work now for a Missouri design firm on a bridge in Louisiana and a prior one in North Carolina, it's just the way it works, perhaps your local contractor did not have the means, did not meet state criteria or submot a bid too high, just the way it is

[Yurasis Dragon]

10:30 PM on 01/15/2009

You're wrong on this one, drvck70. There is a local firm whose owner said he could build this bridge for millions less.
The winning firm had a better PR office. Plus, they "earned" about $200,000/day for every day of the 3 months they finished "early".

The problem with public construction projects is the Davis-Bacon wage law that requires the government to pay union wages. Nothing against unions, there are many individuals and companies that are non-union that can perform the same quality work for far less money. But individuals cannot give as much $$ as lobbyists, can they?

Herein lies a major portion of the solution.

In a time when there is so much $$ being wasted by our government, there must be a temporary restraint on some of these laws, like the one mentioned above.

And where is the incentive for Government saving money, using it more efficiently? It seems common knowledge that if a department doesn't use their budget it gets cut the next year. It should be the opposite- show us how you've saved, done the same with less, and you'll get more next year. Something like this.

I for one am just tired of being treated like a mushroom by the government. Move back to basic principles that are tried and proven, live within your means, cut back on your "needs" and try to become satisfied with what you already have.