Why are YOU happy the stimulus bill passed?

[HardWorkingDem]

Is it because it's a win for the Dems? Obama? Because you know what is in it? Because you know it will jolt the economy?

Why?

To be honest, I don't know all of the inclusions of the bill but am disappointed about the items of pork I have read about.

[firedupdem]

1. Which pork specifically? The pork I heard pointed out about

a Marsh in Pelosi's district was a lie. What other examples of pork?

[Cant trust em]

44. What marsh in San Francisco?

In the second most densely populated city in the United States? Such bullshit.

[firedupdem]

59. Here's a link to the story. The Lie they were trying to tell

was shot down within 24hrs. Assholes.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=35766

[Clio the Leo]

2. Pork? Seriously? Pork? NT

[FarLeftRage]

3. Maybe I'll get a job...

I also read somewhere that the unemployed's COBRA coverage will be paid by this.
If that's true, this may save my life...

[prolesunited]

83. Last I heard, it is 60% for nine months

And I've been paying close attention because I'm in the same boat.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

4. What pork???

Name one item of "pork" in the bill.

[muntrv]

5. I like that we're spending money in the US for once.

[Thrill]

6. What Pork? You think its Pork because Republicans tell you it is?

[HardWorkingDem]

20. You making such a claim as is insulting is me stating...

you are just swallowing the company line because this bill is by Democrats....


Tell me WHY you like it...

[Clio the Leo]

21. I like it because there's no pork in it. :-)

One man's pork is another woman's drinking water.

[Doctor_Horrible]

25. hey! that could be a funded program - hiring people to examine water for pork bits...hello JOBS

[Thrill]

39. Tell me where the pork is? I stated why I like the bill a couple post down

[HardWorkingDem]

53. Reply number 14...nt...

put two there...and there is pork in ALL US bills...ALL...

[Honeycombe8]

76. You still have not listed all the pork you claim is in the bill, despite many asking you for it.

We're waiting.

[HardWorkingDem]

93. Have done so, but to repeat, Reply #14 and #85

Did you look right above your own reply?

[dbonds]

7. All the claims of pork turned out to really be beef.

[bluerum]

8. I like that we are not giving billions to banks and investment houses

to bail them out for losing all our money.

[Thrill]

9. I'm happy it passed because its a Liberal's dream Bill

Its has the whole Democratic Platform. Money for Healthcare, Education, Tax cuts for the Middle Class, Infrastructure, and ton of money for Green Tech and alternative energy. It has every thing, Democrats fight for. Would we like even more spending? YES. But how can a Liberal not like the bill?

[Doctor_Horrible]

10. loved the muckraker segment with schuster last night...

they used the example of WWII spending helping end the depression. Didn't matter if the warships, etc. were built and then buried at the bottom of the ocean. The actual act of making them generated jobs... the point was spending is spending. I don't care if they are using stimulus money to buy vats of literal pork. As long as they spend. I don't even care if there WAS a #%^@#%^ rodent in there ... spending on that little bastard would help generate some kind of job.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

11. pork is 'Republican speak'

the pork you are talking about was going to fund the police and firefighters! The GOP wanted to take it out!

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. pork=jobs.

I don't care what people are building. Lewis Black had it right; they just need to "build a big fucking thing. I don't care what, I only care that it's big and it's a fucking thing"

My disappointment in the bill is that it's too small and to heavily loaded toward tax cuts.

[napi21]

13. I'm glad for Obama, the Dems, showing the Pubs up as the Party of NO,

and I honestly think it will help improve our economy. I think a more important bill is the $350BB finance distribution because if IT'S done right, it will help stem the foreclosures, and begin to free up much needded credit. Coupled together, I believe we should see some improvement in the next several months.

[HardWorkingDem]

14. As I stated, at this time I don't know all items in it but....

ALL bills in the US Govt contain pork whether we like it or not.

So far here is one item I've found...

650 million for the Digital TV converter program, or how about 200 million for a trust fund for leaky fuel tanks (why isn't big oil paying for this stuff?);

I'm sure there are others.

[Honeycombe8]

77. I don't think you know the definition of "trust fund" or "pork."

You might want to look those terms up.

I think you're confusing a bill that benefits someone or his constituents with the term "pork." Bills ALWAYS benefit someone. If they didn't, they wouldn't be in a bill. That is not the definition of pork.

"Trust fund" is a legal and financial term pertaining to a particular type of monetary holding place with a trustee in charge of the money. I don't think the bill establishes any "trust funds."

[quiller4]

15. I like the infrastructure spending including high speed rail.

I'm not bothered by the tax cuts so much. Cuts that result in an increase in take-home pay for middle income earners tend to be more stimulative that rebates. People spend the extra $25-$75 in take-home pay when more than half save stimulas checks of $300-$1,000. That will help ease the strain on family budgets and it will also help the local merchants where those families shop. Besides the tax cuts really do go to those in middle and lower income brackets--not to the high earners as under the Bush Administration.

I'm pleased with the amount that will be going to the states. It isn't as much as the governors had hoped but it enough to stave off severe cuts in state spending and reductions in state employment. That is important. This isn't just about creating new jobs. It is also about preventing more job loss and I think it is worth the $$ to save jobs in the public sector.

I've looked at what it means to my state and I'm pleased that it will speed up work on dangerous bridges. That translates to new employment in my community. The staff at the Operating Engineers local that represents heavy equipment workers in our region said at a labor council meeting that the stimulus package is likely to reduce by more than half the number of names on the "out of work books" at his local. The secretary-treasuere of the Laborers local was even more optimistic.

To me, all of that is reason to be pleased with passage of a piece of legislation.

[cliffordu]

16. I'll take some bacon, and some of those chops.....

Bicycle infrastructure is always nice.

For those of us that ride everywhere and live without cars.....

[sandnsea]

17. Where'd you go?

We're all waiting to hear your list of pork!

[Historic NY]

18. Look one mans pork is anothers bread & butter...we need action now...

to stop the backslide.

[Barack_America]

19. Because now I can have lots of babies and the government will buy me a Cadillac.

:wtf:

[Historic NY]

73. Really A CTS?

[CoffeeCat]

22. Ok, I'll be honest...

I am happy for Obama that he got this "win". I think he's got some good ideas, and I know he
loves this country and wants to help.

I have not paid too much attention to the bill, because I do not believe that anything
can save our economy. I think we're in for a massive catastrophe of unprecedented
proportions.

I'm not a pessimist. However, I am bracing and preparing for dire economic circumstances.

The fact that Obama had to fight tooth and nail--to get this stimulus bill passed, speaks
volumes about how arrogant and ignorant many in DC are.

I sometimes wonder if there are 5 politicians in DC who actually get what is going on
with our economy? Either they are oblivious; or they know and just don't care.

I don't think anything can stop this house of cards from toppling, but I do think
Obama's efforts are a good first step.

[HardWorkingDem]

Thank you so much for your honesty and candor...

And after watching all of this process, the thing that is so fascinating to me is how this bill getting passed is a victory on different fronts. It's a political victory, it's a legislative victory, it's a perception victory and hopefully it will be an economic victory.

[CoffeeCat]

30. I do agree...

...that this is a political victory.

The Republicans tried so hard to destroy this legislation, and scare the public about it.

I listened to some right-wing talk radio this week--and there was so much fear surrounding this bill. They
were all suggesting that Obama was trying to take over the lives of all Americans and control them--with this
bill.

The Republicans failed to terrorize the nation. The bill passed.

I sometimes believe that the Republicans want Obama to fail, and they want him saddled with a bad economy--so they
can use it against him in 2012. So, they try to thwart all of his efforts and good ideas--because they're actually
afraid that he just might turn things around.

I do think this is a victory on many fronts, for Obama and for the Dems. I just don't think it's an economic
victory, but I am keeping an open mind.

[HardWorkingDem]

23. So far, MOST are reacting to the pork comment and not stating why he or she is glad it passed...

Believe it or not, that is what I'm after; tell me why YOU are glad it passed - what is in it that makes you happy or not happy.

Or did you want a more Krugman like package? (That's what I was hoping for and agreed with).

[Doctor_Horrible]

28. ok... I'm happy that it will create jobs. Also happy that it proves repubs have a limited...

vocabulary related to things that go oink.

[Clio the Leo]

33. I'm glad that my hillbilly neighbors will have drinking water now....

..... now, tell me where the pork is? :)

[FailureToCommunicate]

35. I'm happy 'cause the PORK listed for my state smelled like jobs! I'm also

happy because the Congress gives the Pentagon upward of $700 billion EVERY year and there is hardly a whimper of dissent. 700 Billion for war. 700 Billion for jobs and bridges and schools. Hmmm which sounds
better to you?

[AtomicKitten]

24. WTF! Pork? The point of the stimulus is to spend money.

And there is nothing more substantial as in bang for your buck than spending on infrastructure projects with creation of jobs plus having something to show for it (New Orleans levees please).

The rest includes middle class tax cuts and a safety net for the most vulnerable.

On edit and on point ----> I'm glad the bill passed because most economists agree only the government has the money to spend in this stagnant economy. The fact that Obama pulled this unprecedented spending bill out of his hat within his first month in office is nothing short of a miracle, and kudos to him for that.

[Clio the Leo]

29. "That's the point!"

I walk around all day working that phrase into as many conversations as possible. Just my own little inside joke.

He was so funny yesterday or whenever it was when he said it again and you could tell he wanted to be a all smart assed about it like he was last week but he was at some official event so he had to be all "everyone's President" again. But he was fighting it lol.

[AtomicKitten]

32. It's golden.

:hi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt6eDFLoi6E

[Clio the Leo]

36. I swear if I could ask the man just ONE question...

.... I would ask, "ok, fess up, was this comment....."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt6eDFLoi6E

"inspired by this one?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpBzQI_7ez8

that was so funny.

[AtomicKitten]

41. I love his straightforward answer, a rarity in politics.

[doc03]

26. I am not all that happy it passed, yes extended

unemployment, Cobra and other things to help people out of work is good. The tax cuts are a waste, been there done that last spring, it didn't help. A very small amount goes to much needed infrastructure. From what I have seen it is just loaded with billions and billions in waste. I don't think this bill will do anything to stimulate anything other than a larger deficit.

[Doremus]

89. Well, there's a percentage of waste in any undertaking.

This bill is no exception.

I'd rather see waste occur while we're doing something productive for the people than watching it idly flow into the pockets of plutocrats.

There is MUCH in this bill that will help us, from scientific research to schools to health care to infrastructure. It's the embodiment of the Democratic platform. For that reason alone it's worthwhile.

[scheming daemons]

27. Extending unemployment benefits from 23 to 46 weeks is HUGE

53 weeks in high-unemployment states.


People don't realize how big this is... just to keep families afloat until the economy turns around.

[CoffeeCat]

34. i agree that is big...

...and I thank you for highlighting that portion of the bill.

It's going to get more and more difficult to find a job--and these added/extended benefits will
be invaluable to many Americans.

These benefits will keep more people in their homes and more food on the table.

[mvd]

40. Yep good point there

:thumbsup:

[Cant trust em]

48. Republicans totally don't get that

Yes, increasing unemployment benefits does not create jobs. But it does help people from falling into total abject poverty and homelessness.

[grantcart]

31. jobs jobs and more jobs

pork? at the end of the day we will have more roads, bridges and schools, only in America is that considered pork.

[doc03]

38. Building a road, a bridge or a school is not a job

it's a year or two of temporary work. It won't make any work for the laid off workers from Circuit City or other businesses that went belly up. It will mostly make some temporary work for some lucky people that through family connections have a job in the construction trades..

[firedupdem]

42. Oh, so you agree with Mr. Steele?

So, if we shouldn't build bridges, roads, or schools what should we do?

[doc03]

46. Only a very very small percentage of this

bill actually goes into any kind of infrastructure. I agree it helps to put people to work but it is just temporary work for some people who were lucky enough to get a job in the construction trades not a (job).

[firedupdem]

49. I think it's about 26% of it. While that may seem small, the dollar

amount is not. All those jobs won't be front line construction work. They have to order supplies and materials from someplace which benefits companies that offer those services. Those companies will hopefully need to hire additional people. This work will benefit us way more than anything else we can do right now. The jobs that left are gone and they aren't coming back. Our best bet is to work on America and get the economy moving. It's not about just being a construction worker. I think it's important for us to keep looking at the big picture.

[Cant trust em]

50. I don't think that any of the people getting the paycheck are interested in semantics

Is it a job or is it temporary work? Who cares. I'll tell you one thing that they have in common...Paycheck!

One of the few lucky people? 3.5 million lucky people.

[NYC_SKP]

84. So, there you are....

Hearts to ya! XOXO!!! :loveya:

[Barack_America]

43. Fuck work vs. jobs...it's about PAYCHECKS.

And last I checked, they both provided them.

That's more than a lot of folks have right now.

[firedupdem]

47. Exactly! These private sector jobs surely didn't stay! Give me

a government job and call it temporary if you want.

[NYC_SKP]

65. I'm going to have to correct you, doc03.

First, no small number of the jobs that went belly up were "forever jobs" to begin with, as evidenced by their demise.

We're witnessing the end of a crazy Vegas style binge of spending that really needed to end, as it was never sustainable to begin with.

Second, our infrastructure is in such rotten condition that tens or hundreds of thousands of jobs would be virtually permanent just to begin to bring them up to code.

Third, we are about to witness, god willing, entirely new forms of infrastructure, smart grid, light rail, high speed rail, and more, that will employ tens of thousands in long term blue and white collar jobs.

And guess what, most of these cannot be outsourced.

A year or two? Only if Bush was still around.

Welcome to the 21st Century!!!

:toast:

[shrike]

86. Was just going to post this myself.

Our infrastructure's a mess. We've got to rebuild. We've also got to upgrade, and join the rest of the world in 21st century transportation.

[NYC_SKP]

90. Like the Golden Gate bridge, times 20,000 or more,

Crews could be in perpetual motion, by the time they get to the end of the projects it would be time to go back and upgrade the ones they started with, on a twenty year cycle. The GG bridge is on a similar but shorter cycle of finding and treating decay and repainting.

Not to mention expansions and new projects.

:patriot:

[grantcart]

81. lol by that definition no jobs are created by any road or any building built in America

Even the World Trade Towers was 'temporary' work lasting only a couple of years.


The question on construction jobs is how many jobs in aggregate have people employed at anyone time.


But it goes beyond that because stimilus jobs are not just created by the person receiving the paycheck. That family continues to receive a paycheck and they continue to be active consumers. Their purchases keep money circulating as they buy houses, cars, etc.


Your understanding of how stimiulus expenditures is not only not sound it is very Republican, but I repeat myself.

[mvd]

37. #1 for me - much needed help for the states and transportation/infrastructure!

:hi:

If any bill should have some "pork," it's this one.

[shrike]

87. The states desperately need help

And not just California.

[FrenchieCat]

45. When you say.....

"To be honest, I don't know all of the inclusions of the bill..."

I suggest you read the bill, and then come back and ask for opinions.
I dislike nothing more than to feel like having a discussion with someone
without a clue.

[HardWorkingDem]

51. Um....the bill just passed a very short time ago...and...

do you know of all the inclusions of the bill?

And lastly, please, before posting an insulting reply, if you don't like my posts, then check my nickname and move on before answering or put me on ignore.

I'm so sick and tired of the rude and insulting messages here at DU.

[FrenchieCat]

54. I don't necessarily "dislike" your posts generally....

but this one was quite assinine; short on specifics and long on enuendos.
Perhaps this time around you've earned the response you are getting.
Perhaps, maybe it's you.

And Yes, I read the provisions.....

and you can too: http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/PressSummary02-13-09.pdf

[HardWorkingDem]

60. Please then, put me on ignore...

As I said, I'm so sick and tired of name calling and insults hurled by other DU members. I made a simple statement in my OP. I asked others to explain why they were happy this bill passed. And then stated my own reason I was disappointed in a part of it.

Not only that, I was honest in stating I had yet to learn of ALL the provisions that are in it. Frankly, you must be a far superior person because if you know all that is in it when many congress people do not, then wow.

But in the future, put me on ignore or don't even add to the discussion if you want to hurl insults.

[FrenchieCat]

66. Please feel free to use the link I provided.....

and no, you don't have to thank me for it.

As for putting you on ignore, please practice what you preach. I'm good.

[cherokeeprogressive]

94. The link you provided is to the PRESS SUMMARY. Not the actual 1071 pages of the bill.

If that's your basis for ridiculing HWD then I call bullshit. Have you read more than just the summary?

[Runcible Spoon]

56. it's Frenchie's MO to insult those who don't bow down.

Now, if you posted a thread full of Obama kissing babies, even if you hadn't even ever heard of, say, FISA, you would still be worthwhile of her adoration. Don't worry. Even though she insults you, her understanding of politics is limited to shallow, regurgitated talking points and campaign propaganda.

[FrenchieCat]

58. Sounds like your MO too.

or are you just a hypocrite?

[Runcible Spoon]

62. I only jump on bullies. Feel free to stalk my posting history if you like.

I know that is one of your hobbies.

[Runcible Spoon]

52. "I dislike nothing more than..having a discussion with someone without a clue"

ohhh the irony. snicker.

[FrenchieCat]

55. How's that? Please elaborate.......

as it appears as though you are trying to get yours in,
for whatever your reasons. Quite petty and childlike. :eyes:

[Runcible Spoon]

61. Petty and childlike, kinda like chastizing a poster who wants an honest discussion.

They must have cut your pay; usually you would have seen this as a conversion opportunity. :eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

64. When folks don't do their homework, I can tell them that they should......

Or should I STFU cause you think so, big ass hypocrite?

As for your insinuation of my being on some payroll, you can kiss my yellow activist ass......twice!

[HardWorkingDem]

67. Well, you can do it in a kind way or in an insulting way...

but as I've typed several times - I admitted I did not know the full list of items in the bill at this time, HOWEVER, that was not my main question. I wanted to learn why others were happy it passed.

But like I typed, if you don't care for my OPs, then please, move on and ignore them instead of being rude.

[FrenchieCat]

69. Rude is when one makes an uninformed observation (I don't like that there's a lot of Pork)

But won't elaborate when asked. That is what is hella rude.

[HardWorkingDem]

71. Reply number 14....and re-read...where did I say "lot"...

never did; said items and there are items. As in all legislation, pork is always present. It's a fact of American life and to state otherwise it to be either disingenuous or living in fantasy land.

[Eryemil]

80. You didn't provide any specifics...

...in regards to what you disliked. Coupled with your admission to not having of not having actually sifted through the bill...

[HardWorkingDem]

85. Reply number 14, and how about this one...

70 Billion to shelter upper middle class and wealthier taxpayers from a tax increase; this is more than the 48 billion for transportation projects;


What is so hard for Du people to understand, there is almost pork in ANY bill. It is there and can be found. For once, it'd be nice for Congress to cut the crap and do a bill that only deals with the particular thing it is supposed to deal with.

[Eryemil]

88. Ah, I missed the post above

I can't however comment on the thinking behind these additions.

[CitizenLeft]

57. well, I was going to say...

(1) because my unemployment will be extended.
(2) because my unemployment comp. will be raised $100 a month (DESPERATELY needed)
(3) because I'll get some kind of healthcare, since right now I'm not covered at all.

But I can't say that, because...

I GOT A JOB!!!

YESTERDAY!

THANK YOU GOD!

:bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo:

But I'm ECSTATIC that those who really need help will get a little relief. Every little bit helps when you have nothing.

But THANK YOU anyway, Prez & Dems! :loveya:

If anybody says "CONGRATULATIONS!!" I'll kiss you and hug you when I come back from celebrating by stuffing myself with chili and cherry cobbler and watching a movie! :D

[firedupdem]

63. Congratulations!!!! Good for you!! I'm hoping things will turn

around for me soon. I am so NOT used to being unemployed! Great News!!!

[CitizenLeft]

91. I'm hoping for you too - hang in there.

I know everybody's telling you that, but... hang tough, keep the applications flowing... and you'll get that offer you can't turn down. I lost my job in Sept, so it's been 5 months, and I was losing hope. Then BAM, in one day, without even being interviewed, I got a job that doesn't pay enough at first - it's a temp-to-hire position - but it's an accounting job with a hospital system. It could turn out to be long-lasting and eventually pay what I need to make it, and most importantly, it gives me stability. So I'll take it!

Best of luck to you! Fingers crossed that something comes along soon!

[HardWorkingDem]

68. Same here.....it breaks my heart when I....

think of people working one, two and three jobs or those searching for a job. As the old folk story goes, I grew up poor and didn't like one minute of it and wish no one had to live through that.

Best wishes....

[CitizenLeft]

92. thank you!

I wish the best for all of those out of work - it's a horrible feeling. Hang tough, you guys.

[NYC_SKP]

70. PORK??!! OK, here's a link, check out the details, state by state...

then show me the pork.

In my state, California, Teacher jobs are going to be saved, among other things.

"Pork" is traditionally understood to be money spent to the benefit of a specific district or company, or the politician's home district, often in exchange or return for "favors". The bridge to nowhere was a bit of pork, it didn't serve a real purpose. Often, a sports complex might be a pork project of questionable public interest. Newt Gingrich had lots of pork projects to corporations in his home district, Raytheon, for example.

What exactly is this Pork you speak of, or did you hear it on the radio or read it on the web?

Here:
http://dpc.senate.gov/dpc-new.cfm?doc_name=fs-111-1-14

Show me the pork. :shrug:

[fadedrose]

72. There's no pork in the bills - matter of opinion

So much has been neglected during the Bush years that everything seems to be needed all at the same time.

Many couples can't afford children or more children and they can't afford birth control pills either. I think birth control pills (taken out of the bill) would have been VERY stimulative to one's personal economic situation, because one would be able to take a job without worrying about pregnancy or child care.

Having kids could be put off for a while, I think...

[Vinca]

74. Republicans view anything to do with arts or science as pork.

If Obama had thrown in some money for the creationist museum they would have been all over the bill. (Maybe he should have done that just for laughs.)

[rug]

75. Because it's causing strokes in 2 out of 5 republicans.

[Bluenorthwest]

78. I've not had time to study the rather long bill

so thus far I am happy because the Republicans are so unhappy, but more so because the Congress spent all week on camera, after 8 years of skulking in the shadows. I like that.
In terms of the term 'pork' that is going to be a bit subjective. And again I have not read the hundreds of pages of material, I doubt anyone here really has. But- the Bush Bailout contained items that were intended to lure votes from my Rep and Senator. They did not vote for it anyway, but the 'pork items' went in and we got them. One item that got much attention as 'pork' involved cutting a tax on toy arrows. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth. I looked into the whole thing, and it was nothing but doing the right thing.
After reading what the 'toy arrow pork' really was, I question the characterization of anything deemed 'pork'. If justice is pork, then the arrow thing was pork. But I dig fairplay, and the arrow thing was just fair play, correcting a stupid wrong that was driving tiny cottage industries out of business. Tiny, making little profit, but providing a service. It just was not pork. But the Republicans yelled and screamed, and even on DU members brought it up in disgust. They were fully misinformed.
So I have a high bar of proof on 'pork'. And I've not read the blll closely enough to have a real detailed opinion.

[soothsayer]

79. i don't trust congress so I'm not happy with it at all. can't help but feel

we're going to get screwed again. But I surely hope I'm wrong!

[tammywammy]

82. I'm disappointed in it. n/t