Obama To Mayors: Don't Screw Up The Stimulus (VIDEO)

Sounding, at times, like a school teacher lecturing a classroom of mischievous students, President Barack Obama warned a gathering of mayors on Friday that the stimulus money they received better be spent wisely, transparently and without political motives.

"There is an unprecedented responsibility and accountability on all our parts," said Obama. "The American people are watching. They need this plan to work. They expect to see the money that they've earned... I want to be clear about this: we cannot tolerate business was usual. We will use the new tools that the recovery act gives us to watch the taxpayer's money with more rigor and transparency than ever... If a federal agency proposes a project that wastes that money, I will not hesitate to call them out on it and put a stop to it. I want everybody here to be on notice that if a local government does the same, I will call them out on it."

There was a scolding tone to the speech. And implicit in it was the notion that local governments have failed in this task in the past.

In addition, Obama seems cognizant of the future traps and binds that the stimulus represents. For better or worse his administration owns the economic recovery package. So while each job saved or created can be chalked up as a political success, so too will each report of corruption, misappropriation, or the lining of pockets with federal largesse be treated as an indictment of the president's big-money proposal.

We have, Obama concluded on Friday, an "unprecedented obligations to spend that money wisely. Free from politics, free from personal agenda."

Watch:

Comments

[TomS7]

Many Local Government agencies are already doing a great job of providing transparency, certainly better than the federal government has done in the past. Click on the following link to over 100,000 archived and searchable public meetings from 500+ government agencies. http://www.granicus.com/Clients/ClientListing.aspx

[nightwind928]

Expecting politicians to line up at an overflowing money trough and behave like perfect ladies and gentelmen is stretching the imagination beyond resonable limits. I'm sure there are sincere and well meaning politicans who will use this money for it's intended purpose and I'm equally sure that there are greedy, devious and selfserving elected official s.o.b.'s who will see this as a golden opportunity to exploit it for their personal enrichment. It will be interesting to see if the administration can keep a leash on these dogs. Many of these people have had political free reign previously under a Republican "hands off" policy tword involvment in the political affairs of the state and local governments. Are there any enforceable laws and rules that can be used effectively to keep these people who will be the conduit for this stimulus money honest, and more importantly, will anyone have the courage to use and enforce them if and when they are necessary to slap some hands and keep the train on track for the public good? Who is holding the willow tree switch telling them "I have my eye on you"?

[BushBites]

I hope he was staring at daley when he said it.

That fat little crook is probably already trying to figure out how he can spend the money on his crazy Olympics scheme.

[bogues]

President Obama is going to have to count on people being honest and that is always risky. Of course it would be nice if people didnot have to be watched like hawks in order to do the right thing. It seems from some of the postings here that some people think that we should just do nothing and wait and see what kind of country we have in a year or two. If we don't do something, we will look like a third world country next thing you know. Of course it won't be easy. Naturally some will try to take advantage and yes we are all going to have to contribute even if we think we shouldn't have to, but the alternative to doing what has to be done, is not pretty and would make what we are facing now, look like nothing. Slinging insults and pointing fingers isn't helping. Everybody needs to just go to work and do what they can do to get us through this.

[StillIRise]

It's interesting that all the Rethug trolls who are now attaching the bill directly to President Obama, wanted to attach it to anyone BUT President Obama to discredit the allegation of racism in the NYP cartoon. Recognizing that it's ultimately Obama's bill didn't serve their interests in the discussion about the cartoon, but it serves their interests now! I guess when the stimulus actually works, they'll find a way to make it someone else's bill again ... in fact, they'll probably find a way to try to twist it to make it the Republicans' bill. It's amazing how they can so easily go in and out of reality, more out than in.

Typical!

[truthspray08]

For all you Facebook Users, I started a group called the Stimulators. It's a group of Obama supporters who want to take their extra money each month and spend it in a common goal to help stimulate certain sectors of the economy. Our Goal, to help stimulate the economy to to insure the Success of President Obama-pure and simple. What the Senate took out, we'll help make up the difference. I have written letters to my Senator Kay Hagan, Ariana Huffington, and Paul Krugman to help instruct and join our efforts. I also sent a link to Move On.org for guidance as well. Let's come together like we did in the election to make this country a financial powerhouse again!

Facebook Group Name: The Stimulators: How We Can Help Obama Be Successful with the Stimulus

[freshnotbitter]

Maybe Obama will read this blog and realize that people aren't as stupid as some pols believe.

In four years O can come to my town and point to the actual concrete things done with the stimulus money. then we can go vote.

Look forward to your visit, O

[barackobama4prez]

Mr. Prez, you'll neeed to regulate their spending. we have no time for the freakin honor code.

[totaldisbelief]

I can't even imagine what kind of shape we'd be in if W. still had 2 years to go.

[planetfotheApes]

What President Obama is really saying: Don't screw up the stimulus. We need as much wealth transferred from the poor to the fantastically wealthy as possible. Don't worry about the brain dead Obamanoids, they will believe whatever I say.

[Danigirl65]

Oops, apparently you thought Obama was a Republican - only their party is for helping the rich. The Dem's have always been for the working class, which is who this stimulus helps.

I think it's awesome that he made it very clear that any idiotic spending would be stopped.

[planetfotheApes]

The policies of Mr. Bush and President Obama are nearly identical. There's been a transfer of about ten trillion dollars from our children to the international banking cartel. Whatever you think you are going to receive from this bailout is simply a smoke screen for the greatest bank robbery in history.

[poster1122]

Obama telling the mayors that they'd better spend the money "wisely" is ridiculous theater. It like the mom that bakes the jarful of cookies, puts the jar in front of a bunch of kids, says don't eat these, and walks away.

[doctordoubt]

It's more like he's saying just take one. Some will, some won't.

[LDS50]

Ridiculous is doing nothing. He's letting them know it's not business as usual. There will be extraordinary accountability. They will be expected to behave like grown ups and suffer consequences if they do not. What's so hard to understand?

[TexasLady41]

Oh, I get it now.
If the Stimulus Bill "doesn't" work its going to be the State's fault, and if it "does" work, it was his idea and he was the genius! Boy this guy is a "piece of work", he has it both ways on everything he does. The way he works it is for every important decision this country has to make he forms a committee filled with "experts" and when the plan doesn't work he just blames them. "Not my fault, look the other way at my committee of experts, it was their plan and the best to be had". For any one whoever has worked as a volunteer I am sure you can recognize this guy as the perfect community organizer.

I am an independent who has gone back and forth with my support for Obama. Some times he has me feeling that he can make anything happen and the next minute he's back tracking and talking trash and I lose all confidence in him. At first I was against the housing bail out, then I heard him speak and I was supportive. Now I am learning more and I don't know what to think. Oh my god this is going to be a long four years.

[VMA]

You need to learn to stop being so wishy washy. And, yes it's gonna a very long four years. It always takes time to fix anything of this magnitude.

[dlswriter]

Your mind is like the Texas weather... just wait ten minutes and it will change.

[bogues]

I have real doubts that you ever supported President Obama. You say you feel better when you listen to him and then you don't know. Maybe you should keep listening to him and not listen to the dime a dozen talking heads out there who have a burning desire to see President Obama fail. We are in such a mess and all he is doing is trying to fix it. Why would anyone fault him for the efforts he is making on behalf of the country.

[Pulemerci]

What makes the President think that mayors will do the right thing? In 1998, NYC threw a ticker tape parade for Sammy Sosa. He didn't live in or play for any NY team. The logistics of such a parade cost a lot of tax payer money. Maybe New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin can buy more school buses that can sit in a lot (empty) while he does nothing during the next hurrican to evacuate his city.

Wishfull thinking Mr. President.

[mergina]

America to Obma - DON'T SCREW UP THESE WARS

[planetfotheApes]

First the Obamanoids supported the largest transfer of wealth from our children to the wealthiest bankers in history.

Then the Obamanoids became pro-war, supporting the termination of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives.

Then the Obamanoids became pro-torture openly supporting GW's illegal policies.

By then the Obamanoids had become Neocons and all I could do was watch in horror.

[Danigirl65]

Huh? Whose Kool-Aid have you been drinking?? Rush Limbaugh's??

[Mabo]

Ah...now we know who will be blamed when this "stimulus" bill doesn't do what they promised. Blame the little guys...