Obama: Country Needs Economic Stimulus Plan (Saturday Radio Address)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Obama: Country needs economic stimulus plan

By PHILIP ELLIOTT and ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writers – 23 mins ago

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama urged congressional leaders Saturday to move quickly on an economic recovery plan, even as some Republicans are saying they want more time to review the details. Obama said Congress should pass an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan designed to create 3 million jobs. The Democratic president-elect hasn't announced a final price tag on it, but aides said the cost could be as high as $775 billion.

"For too many families, this new year brings new unease and uncertainty as bills pile up, debts continue to mount and parents worry that their children won't have the same opportunities they had," Obama said in an address taped Friday and distributed on radio and posted on YouTube Saturday morning. The nation's economy remains the top challenge facing Obama when he takes office on Jan. 20. The Federal Reserve estimated that lenders were on track to initiate 2.25 million foreclosures this year, more than doubling the annual pace before the crisis set in. One in 10 U.S. homeowners is delinquent on mortgage payments or in foreclosure.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., are to receive details on Monday. Obama plans meetings next week with other congressional leaders — including Republican members whose support he will need — and made an effort not to blame his predecessor, the unpopular President George W. Bush.

"However we got here, the problems we face today are not Democratic problems or Republican problems," Obama said. "The dreams of putting a child through college, or staying in your home, or retiring with dignity and security know no boundaries of party or ideology. ... I am optimistic that if we come together to seek solutions that advance not the interests of any party, or the agenda of any one group, but the aspirations of all Americans, then we will meet the challenges of our time just as previous generations have met the challenges of theirs."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090103/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama

[napi21]

1. I like the way he phrases his arguments. He's making it nearly impossible

for the Pubs to oppose his plan and still appear like they care about anyone but themselves.

[Vinca]

2. Apparently they're planning to oppose it because they feel they

were not included in the solution and they're suddenly turning fiscally responsible. At least that's the talking point. Looking for campaign commercials no doubt. Meanwhile grandma's starving by the side of the road.

[.... callchet ....]

3. Wrong plan ??

I don't know what the plan is yet but .. Instead of giving a little money to everybody he ought to give a lot of money to a few. The unemployed

and poverty homes should get all the money. I guarantee you that money would be spent in the neighborhoods were it was received. But I guess Stan

Owould be outraged if he didn't get his share.

[quidam56]

4. Appalachia can't stand anymore...

of the Bush Legacy http://www.wisecountyissues.com He, Cheney and THE COAL INDUSTRY have blasted, bombed and decapitated Appalachia all for the love of money. Bush is a TOXIC TERRORIST all over America's Landscape.

[Still Sensible]

5. What I appreciate the most about this approach is

that it incorporates a much needed upgrading of our infrastructure. It will put a lot of people to work in useful, productive and sustainable jobs.

[napi21]

6. I agree. Our infrastructure is in terrible shape EVERYWHERE and

a plan like that will provide decent paying jobs for a lot of people PLUS provide the necessary repairs that noone has had the $$ to do for a LONG TINE!

I know the Atlanta & NYC watermains have been crumbling for quite a few years already, but every time the subject is raised, there's never any $$ to fix them right. A similar thing has been going on in NYC.