Feb 03 2009
Five things I would change on the stimulus package
As senate democrats and republicans argue over the legislation of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package, I thought I would pitch in five things that I feel would change this bill for the better.
1. Get rid of a $2 billion provision for “clean coal” plants. Instead, invest this money in green infrastructure and alternative energy development.
2. Invest in infrastructure, not tax cuts. Don’t reward businesses that got us into this mess with tax cuts that won’t create new jobs in the future.
3. Reinstate the Medicaid Family Planning State Option. Funding state healthcare programs for women will protect jobs of healthcare workers and make sure women living in or on the edge of poverty get the care they need.
4. Include meaningful bankruptcy reform. Bankruptcy judges should regain the ability to restructure mortgages (that is, lower the amount owed and the interest rate, reflecting the lower value of the house) so that borrowers can stay in their homes.
5. Don’t give Verizon $1.6 billion in tax cuts without generating a single new job. Money originally earmarked to encourage companies to bring high speed internet to underserved low-income and rural communities has turned into a billion dollar giveaway to big telecom.
Anyone who feels the same way that I do about this is more than welcome to sign a petition calling for this over at Credo Action.
Are you running any time soon Travis? You can have my vote!
Good piece. They need to cut this thing down. But we all know that the opposite will probably happen.
http://politicalanimal.today.com/
Perhaps in the future you’ll see me running - hope you don’t mind voting libertarian!
First of all i like the additions to the site. Nice to see your friendly face again.
Secondly, I doubt you are going to see the 2 billion taken away for the production of Clean coal when Obama is in office. This was one of his main premises going into the white house. Although I would like to see more money to go to alternative fuels and green technology, the reality is those areas of production have not shown to have the capability to be a reliable energy source for Americans. Now there would be ample evidence that would support the idea that because we have no properly funded this area of technology it is not going to be reliable…
I believe tax cuts are needed for big companies at the moment for them to turn around the current economic status. Although yes infrastructure is needed…especially around your end with not having clean water and all…big business needs these breaks to stay afloat. But it also needs to be watched over and hopefully the administration is dealing out the tone to these companies that if you think you can just use tax payers money for Jets, office improvements, and buying other firms…you will be held accountable.
I think you are seeing the disappearance for Medicaid for one main reason. Obama is serious about bringing social health care to this country and having medicaid in place will only present problems down the road for this to be passed in congress.
As for bankruptcy judges…this is a tough issue. fault is on both sides of the spectrum when it comes to home mortgages recently. one side it’s the companies pushing employees to hand out mortgages to people who have no reason getting one to buy a house that is well out of there price range. and 2, some people are just stupid with there money and think the government is going to help them out when they get a fluctuating mortgage with a low interest rate when they bought and now with the economy down the shiter…interest rates have sky rocketed and they can’t make the payments. should people be able to stay in there holmes…depends on the circumstance and that usually comes down to what the judge sees to necessary
last but not least, Verizon. Why is our government using tax payers money to help Verizon create a monopoly on broadband services in the US? This does not make sense to me. Let the companies battle it out to the point that the price drops. We should not meddling in the markets
Rome, Georgia out!
I wondered if that was you logging on from Rome, GA. Good to see you too Sege. Hey one of these days I’m gonna take a trip down there.
Do you get Time magazine by chance? If you do take a look at the newest issues article titled “why your bank is broke”
If you have some questions on what all the economic jargon means, give me a call and I can try to explain.
Great stuff though.
PS. Why is the republican party rallying behind Rush Limbaough? Are they that desperate for leadership? And they made a black guy head of the party…i wonder if that’s a coincidence? LOL. They need moderates leading the party…not radical conservatives.