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The Perspective:
Well, the first 100 hours sort of fizzled. A few executive orders issued, a few Bush policies overturned, a few meetings taken; not exactly the kind of stuff to write home to Mom about.
Things have not gotten better. The need to explain why Obama cabinet picks Timothy Geithner and Tom Daschle failed to stay current with the tax folks wasn’t exactly helpful. Neither was the news that nearly a dozen lobbyists were getting prominent administration jobs despite the new president’s “no lobbyists” personnel decree.
Things are different for the Republicans though, who actually have shown some hopeful signs of coming back to life. Faced with what some suggest is the imminent destruction of the party by the Obama machine, the GOP has apparently found its voice by saying almost nothing at all.
The trigger for this good news is “Porkulus,” the massive spending bill currently working its way through Congress.
Sold as a program to immediately stimulate the flagging U.S. economy, Porkulus is supposed to be the first 100 days signature piece of legislation, paying out enough money to kick start things as they are sliding into a real recession, fourth quarter of 2008 GDP figures showing a contraction of almost four percent.
The bad economy, plus Obama’s vaunted net roots political machine, his 53 percent victory, and the Gallup organization’s new assertion that the number of safe Republican states is down to about five — with none in the solid South — was supposed to have stampeded everyone into voting for Porkulus. Obama made a show of “listening” to the Republicans. And he did “reach out” to them — but only so far as to let them know his heels were dug in and he wasn’t in the mood to negotiate. He would, however, feel bad while watching them complain about it on FOX News, or so one person present in the meeting alleged.
Porkulus, with a price tag nearing $1 trillion, includes much that the heartland of America might find objectionable. In its original version, it included money that would likely have ended up filling the coffers of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America which, according to some news reports, is laying off personnel thanks to a financial bind attributed to Bernie Madoff and his magic pyramid.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, after first defending the money, agreed to drop it from the bill. But Porkulus still includes over $300 million to combat sexually transmitted diseases, an earmark of more than $2 billion for national parks being pushed by an organization whose chief lobbyist is the son of House Appropriations Committee Chairman Wisconsin’s David Obey, $200 million for new sod for the National Mall (the old sod apparently having been wrecked by the near record turnout for Obama’s inauguration), $44 million to repair the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (also on the National Mall) and $600 million so the federal government can buy some new cars from Detroit (well, someone has to).
When push came to shove this pork-laden, special interesting supporting, mother-of-all spending legislation did pass the House– but without a single Republican voting for it. As a result, its prospects in the Senate have gotten worse, with Republicans and Democrats both suggesting Porkulus is in trouble.
The partisan nature of the support for Porkulus has sparked a stream of confused comment from the Democrats and the liberal allies — who suddenly seem to have forgotten they won the election. The scheme to make Porkulus a bi-partisan effort is collapsing, stripping them of the political cover they were depending on to protect them once America learns what is really in the bill.
So the gloves have been taken off. MoveOn.Org let its members know by e-mail over the weekend that Porkulus is in trouble:
“President Obama’s economic recovery plan just passed in the House-it’s got billions of dollars for education, mass transit, and clean energy. But what really gets me is that not a single Republican voted for it, despite all the efforts by President Obama to reach across the aisle. If the same thing happens in the Senate, it won’t pass.”
So MoveOn thinks Porkulus won’t pass because it didn’t get any GOP votes in the House and it may not get any GOP votes in the Senate, where the Democrats hold a majority of 59 out of 100 seats. Hmmm…
Meanwhile, the White House, seemingly looking to pick a fight with someone, is poking radio commentator Rush Limbaugh instead of the people who can actually vote on the bill. It’s sort of like the Bush White House deciding to pick on the Dixie Chicks over Iraq after lead singer Natalie Maines spouted off in London: entertaining but totally beside the point.
By maintaining a posture of relative silence, in comparison to the Democrats on Iraq during the Bush years or the Republicans on health care (at least under Clinton), the Republicans are letting the nation see President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and their Porkulus package for what they really are.
No wonder the Democrats are scared. If Porkulus has any money it for the construction of coops, the chickens would be massing, getting ready to come home to roost.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I just want to know.
The Perspective: To anyone who is reading this, please e-mail me so I know that someone is reading. If I don't get any e-mails in the next few days with the subject heading: Your Blog. I'll stop doing this. If no one is reading, why in the hell should I write?
Send your e-mail to captaincgray@yahoo.com with the subject heading Your Blog. Thanks.
Send your e-mail to captaincgray@yahoo.com with the subject heading Your Blog. Thanks.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Juicy Numbers
Just read and enjoy, you know how I feel.
The Perspective:
Some highlights of the package, by the numbers:
• $825 billion total (as of 1/15/09) • $550 billion in new spending, described as thoughtful and carefully targeted priority investments with unprecedented accountability measures built in. • $275 billion in tax relief ($1,000 tax cut for families, $500 tax cut for individuals through SS payroll deductions) • $ 90 billion for infrastructure • $ 87 billion Medicaid aid to states • $ 79 billion school districts/public colleges to prevent cutbacks
• $ 54 billion to encourage energy production from renewable sources • $ 41 billion for additional school funding ($14 billion for school modernizations and repairs, $13 billion for Title I, $13 billion for IDEA special education funding, $1 billion for education technology)
• $ 24 billion for "health information technology to prevent medical mistakes, provide better care to patients and introduce cost-saving efficiencies" and "to provide for preventative care and to evaluate the most effective healthcare treatments."
• $ 16 billion for science/technology ($10 billion for science facilities, research, and instrumentation; $6 billion to expand broadband to rural areas) • $ 15 billion to increase Pell grants by $500
• $ 6 billion for the ambiguous "higher education modernization."
[Source: Committee on Appropriations: January 15, 2009] Here is a further breakdown of the package: NOTE: The following are highlights of the package; for the full 13-page summary from the Appropriations Committee, click here: (as of 1/15/09) Energy $32 billion: Funding for "smart electricity grid" to reduce waste $16 billion: Renewable energy tax cuts and a tax credit for research and development on energy-related work, and a multiyear extension of renewable energy production tax credit $6 billion: Funding to weatherize modest-income homes Science and Technology $10 billion: Science facilities $6 billion: High-speed Internet access for rural and underserved areas Infrastructure $30 billion: Transportation projects $31 billion: Construction and repair of federal buildings and other public infrastructure $19 billion: Water projects $10 billion:
Rail and mass transit projects Education $41 billion: Grants to local school districts $79 billion: State fiscal relief to prevent cuts in state aid $21 billion: School modernization ($15.6 billion to increase the Pell grant by $500; $6 billion for higher education modernization) Health Care $39 billion: Subsidies to health insurance for unemployed; providing coverage through Medicaid $87 billion: Help to states with Medicaid $20 billion: Modernization of health-information technology systems $4.1 billion: Preventative care Jobless Benefits $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. Taxes Individuals: *$500 per worker, $1,000 per couple tax cut for two years, costing about $140 billion. *Greater access to the $1,000-per-child tax credit for the working poor.
*Expansion of the earned-income tax credit to include families with three children *A $2,500 college tuition tax credit. *Repeal of a requirement that a $7,500 first-time homebuyer tax credit be paid back over time. Businesses: *An infusion of cash into money-losing companies by allowing them to claim tax credits on past profits dating back five years instead of two.
*Bonus depreciation for businesses investing in new plants and equipment *Doubling of the amount small businesses can write off for capital investments and new equipment purchases. *Allowing businesses to claim a tax credit for hiring disconnected youth and veterans [Sources: Associated Press: Highlights of Senate economic stimulus plan; January 23, 2009; WSJ: Stimulus Package Unveiled; January 16, 2009; Committee on Appropriations: January 15, 2009]
When is the money being is going to be spent, and on what? The government wouldn't be able to spend at least one-fourth of a proposed $825 billion economic stimulus plan until after 2010, according to a preliminary report by the Congressional Business Office that suggests it may take longer than expected to boost the economy. The government would spend about $26 billion of the money this year and $110 billion more next year, the report said. About $103 billion would be spent in 2011, while $53 billion would be spent in 2012 and $63 billion between 2013 and 2019.
• Less than $5 billion of the $30 billion set aside for highway spending would be spent within the next two years, the CBO said.
• Only $26 billion out of $274 billion in infrastructure spending would be delivered into the economy by the Sept. 30 end of the budget year, just 7 percent.
• Just one in seven dollars of a huge $18.5 billion investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs would be spent within a year and a half.
• About $907 million of a $6 billion plan to expand broadband access in rural and other underserved areas would be spent by 2011, CBO said.
• Just one-fourth of clean drinking water projects can be completed by October of next year.
• $275 billion worth of tax cuts to 95 percent of filers and a huge infusion of help for state governments is to be distributed into the economy more quickly. [Note: The CBO's analysis applied only to 40 percent of the overall stimulus bill, and doesn't cover tax cuts or efforts; a CBO report outlining all of its costs is expected in the next week or so.]
• The Obama administration said $3 of every $4 in the package should be spent within 18 months to have maximum impact on jobs and taxpayers; if House or Senate versions of the bill do not spend the money as quickly, the White House will work with lawmakers to achieve the goal of spending 75% of the overall package over the next year and a half. [Source: AP: Three-quarters of stimulus to go in 18 months; January 22, 2009; Bloomberg News: Much of Stimulus Wont Be Spent Before 2011, CBO Says; January 20, 2009; link]
Who will be spending the money? Will the states be receiving any money to spend, community organizations? Churches? The economic stimulus plan now moving through Congress would shower billions of federal dollars on state and local governments desperate for cash:
• The House stimulus bill includes an extra $87 billion in federal aid to state Medicaid programs.
• It allots some $120 billion to boost state and city education programs.
• There's $4 billion for state and local anticrime initiatives in the legislation, not to mention $30-plus billion for highways and other infrastructure projects.
• $6.9 billion to help state and local governments make investments that make them more energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions.
• $87 billion to states, increasing through the end of FY 2010 the share of Medicaid costs the Federal government reimburses all states by 4.8 percent, with extra relief tied to rates of unemployment.
• $120 billion to states and school districts to stabilize budgets and prevent tax increases and deep cuts to critical education programs. Overall, about one-quarter of the entire $825 billion recovery package would be devoted to activities crucial to governors, mayors, and local school boards - making them among the plans biggest beneficiaries. [Sources: Committee on Appropriations: January 15, 2009; Reuters: Roads, energy, states win in US stimulus plan;15 January 2009; Christian Science Monitor: States to win big in stimulus sweepstakes; House bill allots almost one-quarter of the $825 billion recovery package to states, localities. How will that boost the economy?; January 25, 2009; Link]
The Perspective:
Some highlights of the package, by the numbers:
• $825 billion total (as of 1/15/09) • $550 billion in new spending, described as thoughtful and carefully targeted priority investments with unprecedented accountability measures built in. • $275 billion in tax relief ($1,000 tax cut for families, $500 tax cut for individuals through SS payroll deductions) • $ 90 billion for infrastructure • $ 87 billion Medicaid aid to states • $ 79 billion school districts/public colleges to prevent cutbacks
• $ 54 billion to encourage energy production from renewable sources • $ 41 billion for additional school funding ($14 billion for school modernizations and repairs, $13 billion for Title I, $13 billion for IDEA special education funding, $1 billion for education technology)
• $ 24 billion for "health information technology to prevent medical mistakes, provide better care to patients and introduce cost-saving efficiencies" and "to provide for preventative care and to evaluate the most effective healthcare treatments."
• $ 16 billion for science/technology ($10 billion for science facilities, research, and instrumentation; $6 billion to expand broadband to rural areas) • $ 15 billion to increase Pell grants by $500
• $ 6 billion for the ambiguous "higher education modernization."
[Source: Committee on Appropriations: January 15, 2009] Here is a further breakdown of the package: NOTE: The following are highlights of the package; for the full 13-page summary from the Appropriations Committee, click here: (as of 1/15/09) Energy $32 billion: Funding for "smart electricity grid" to reduce waste $16 billion: Renewable energy tax cuts and a tax credit for research and development on energy-related work, and a multiyear extension of renewable energy production tax credit $6 billion: Funding to weatherize modest-income homes Science and Technology $10 billion: Science facilities $6 billion: High-speed Internet access for rural and underserved areas Infrastructure $30 billion: Transportation projects $31 billion: Construction and repair of federal buildings and other public infrastructure $19 billion: Water projects $10 billion:
Rail and mass transit projects Education $41 billion: Grants to local school districts $79 billion: State fiscal relief to prevent cuts in state aid $21 billion: School modernization ($15.6 billion to increase the Pell grant by $500; $6 billion for higher education modernization) Health Care $39 billion: Subsidies to health insurance for unemployed; providing coverage through Medicaid $87 billion: Help to states with Medicaid $20 billion: Modernization of health-information technology systems $4.1 billion: Preventative care Jobless Benefits $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. Taxes Individuals: *$500 per worker, $1,000 per couple tax cut for two years, costing about $140 billion. *Greater access to the $1,000-per-child tax credit for the working poor.
*Expansion of the earned-income tax credit to include families with three children *A $2,500 college tuition tax credit. *Repeal of a requirement that a $7,500 first-time homebuyer tax credit be paid back over time. Businesses: *An infusion of cash into money-losing companies by allowing them to claim tax credits on past profits dating back five years instead of two.
*Bonus depreciation for businesses investing in new plants and equipment *Doubling of the amount small businesses can write off for capital investments and new equipment purchases. *Allowing businesses to claim a tax credit for hiring disconnected youth and veterans [Sources: Associated Press: Highlights of Senate economic stimulus plan; January 23, 2009; WSJ: Stimulus Package Unveiled; January 16, 2009; Committee on Appropriations: January 15, 2009]
When is the money being is going to be spent, and on what? The government wouldn't be able to spend at least one-fourth of a proposed $825 billion economic stimulus plan until after 2010, according to a preliminary report by the Congressional Business Office that suggests it may take longer than expected to boost the economy. The government would spend about $26 billion of the money this year and $110 billion more next year, the report said. About $103 billion would be spent in 2011, while $53 billion would be spent in 2012 and $63 billion between 2013 and 2019.
• Less than $5 billion of the $30 billion set aside for highway spending would be spent within the next two years, the CBO said.
• Only $26 billion out of $274 billion in infrastructure spending would be delivered into the economy by the Sept. 30 end of the budget year, just 7 percent.
• Just one in seven dollars of a huge $18.5 billion investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs would be spent within a year and a half.
• About $907 million of a $6 billion plan to expand broadband access in rural and other underserved areas would be spent by 2011, CBO said.
• Just one-fourth of clean drinking water projects can be completed by October of next year.
• $275 billion worth of tax cuts to 95 percent of filers and a huge infusion of help for state governments is to be distributed into the economy more quickly. [Note: The CBO's analysis applied only to 40 percent of the overall stimulus bill, and doesn't cover tax cuts or efforts; a CBO report outlining all of its costs is expected in the next week or so.]
• The Obama administration said $3 of every $4 in the package should be spent within 18 months to have maximum impact on jobs and taxpayers; if House or Senate versions of the bill do not spend the money as quickly, the White House will work with lawmakers to achieve the goal of spending 75% of the overall package over the next year and a half. [Source: AP: Three-quarters of stimulus to go in 18 months; January 22, 2009; Bloomberg News: Much of Stimulus Wont Be Spent Before 2011, CBO Says; January 20, 2009; link]
Who will be spending the money? Will the states be receiving any money to spend, community organizations? Churches? The economic stimulus plan now moving through Congress would shower billions of federal dollars on state and local governments desperate for cash:
• The House stimulus bill includes an extra $87 billion in federal aid to state Medicaid programs.
• It allots some $120 billion to boost state and city education programs.
• There's $4 billion for state and local anticrime initiatives in the legislation, not to mention $30-plus billion for highways and other infrastructure projects.
• $6.9 billion to help state and local governments make investments that make them more energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions.
• $87 billion to states, increasing through the end of FY 2010 the share of Medicaid costs the Federal government reimburses all states by 4.8 percent, with extra relief tied to rates of unemployment.
• $120 billion to states and school districts to stabilize budgets and prevent tax increases and deep cuts to critical education programs. Overall, about one-quarter of the entire $825 billion recovery package would be devoted to activities crucial to governors, mayors, and local school boards - making them among the plans biggest beneficiaries. [Sources: Committee on Appropriations: January 15, 2009; Reuters: Roads, energy, states win in US stimulus plan;15 January 2009; Christian Science Monitor: States to win big in stimulus sweepstakes; House bill allots almost one-quarter of the $825 billion recovery package to states, localities. How will that boost the economy?; January 25, 2009; Link]
Monday, January 26, 2009
Change My ASS!!
I'm warning my readers now, today I'm biased as I've ever been. I'm sick and tired of what the fuck this inexperienced black man is doing to my nation.
The Perspective: Fuck Barry Obama. Yes, that's his real fucking name. To hell with this Barack bullshit. To hell with his fucking "stimulus plan". Some will ask why in the fuck the words are in quotes. It's because its not a real plan.
I've told everyone from the FUCKING START to NOT BELIEVE this man. He's NOT the change that you narrow minded fools who voted for him we're wishing for. This is a man who is changing the foundations of the American economy!!
Why don't you people see through his paper thin disguise, and see his FUCKING PUPPET STRINGS!?! The man is a voice for the most liberal minds in all of Washington, a Washington that WON'T FUCKING CHANGE.
This "stimulus plan" is meant to "quickly" simulate the American economy...it won't. According to reports released today, in 2 YEARS only 17% of the money will be spent...right on time for midterm elections. I mean, that wasn't planned or anything? Sure...
Money goes to Amtrack...funny how Biden lobbied for them..hmm connection? Of course there is.
I WARN YOU AGAIN. This man is bringing SOCIALISM into America, without telling the American people. That is BULLSHIT. Let the American people know what the fuck your doing. It's our nation ASSHOLE.
Barry Barack Hussein Obama...FUCK YOU.
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To those that wanted the "juicy" news, I'll bring it to you tomorrow.. Sorry, I had to just spew some things today.
The Perspective: Fuck Barry Obama. Yes, that's his real fucking name. To hell with this Barack bullshit. To hell with his fucking "stimulus plan". Some will ask why in the fuck the words are in quotes. It's because its not a real plan.
I've told everyone from the FUCKING START to NOT BELIEVE this man. He's NOT the change that you narrow minded fools who voted for him we're wishing for. This is a man who is changing the foundations of the American economy!!
Why don't you people see through his paper thin disguise, and see his FUCKING PUPPET STRINGS!?! The man is a voice for the most liberal minds in all of Washington, a Washington that WON'T FUCKING CHANGE.
This "stimulus plan" is meant to "quickly" simulate the American economy...it won't. According to reports released today, in 2 YEARS only 17% of the money will be spent...right on time for midterm elections. I mean, that wasn't planned or anything? Sure...
Money goes to Amtrack...funny how Biden lobbied for them..hmm connection? Of course there is.
I WARN YOU AGAIN. This man is bringing SOCIALISM into America, without telling the American people. That is BULLSHIT. Let the American people know what the fuck your doing. It's our nation ASSHOLE.
If Barry, would just come out and tell us what his real intentions were, I'd have fewer problems with it. But his is the wrong way to do it.
Come on out of the closet Barry tell, the American people what you really want to do. And then we can kick your ass out of the White House.Barry Barack Hussein Obama...FUCK YOU.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To those that wanted the "juicy" news, I'll bring it to you tomorrow.. Sorry, I had to just spew some things today.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Perspective Returns Monday
I just wanted to say that there will not be a post today. I'm just a little busy and I'll have something nice and juicy for you guys and gals on Monday.
Thanks For Reading.
Thanks For Reading.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Justice...ha not in this administration
The Perspective: President Barack Obama began overhauling U.S. treatment of terror suspects Thursday, signing orders to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, shut down secret overseas CIA prisons, review military war crimes trials and ban the harshest interrogation methods.
This is a complete misjudgement on the part of our new inexperienced President Barack Obama. Yesterday I agreed with two of the executive orders that President Obama signed. One, was freezing pay raises for anyone in his administration who currently makes over $100,000 USD. Two, he made accepting gifts or money from special interests and lobbyists illegal. This will help limit corruption in The White House.
But today is a different story. He signed an executive order beginning the closure of Guantanamo Bay detention center.
In case you don't know what Gitmo is, it's where we keep all of the world most dangerous terrorists that we've caught. Currently we have at least 250 people staying in Gitmo. The question...is what to do with these "people"(if you call them that, I don't)
We already know that their home nations don't want them, because they are terrorists. The majority of our state Governors don't want them in their states. This is because they don't want the threat of terrorism in their states.(makes sense if you ask me)
So what to do? Use money, that America doesn't have to build a new Gitmo type prison center to contain these men? Send them off to somewhere no one will find them? Kill them?(its an option yes) To me, none of these things are the answer. There is only one answer.
Keep it open.
Don't close one of the most secure locations in the world. These are the type of places you send madmen, who want to kill, rape and destroy the American and Western way of life. These are not people...these are terrorists. Terrorists who attacked America and attacked our allies. These men...need to die. To rot in prison, sure. To send them to death, sure why. Not. Eye for an eye I say.
I mean hell if we capture Usama bin Laden what do we do with him...
This is a complete misjudgement on the part of our new inexperienced President Barack Obama. Yesterday I agreed with two of the executive orders that President Obama signed. One, was freezing pay raises for anyone in his administration who currently makes over $100,000 USD. Two, he made accepting gifts or money from special interests and lobbyists illegal. This will help limit corruption in The White House.
But today is a different story. He signed an executive order beginning the closure of Guantanamo Bay detention center.
In case you don't know what Gitmo is, it's where we keep all of the world most dangerous terrorists that we've caught. Currently we have at least 250 people staying in Gitmo. The question...is what to do with these "people"(if you call them that, I don't)
We already know that their home nations don't want them, because they are terrorists. The majority of our state Governors don't want them in their states. This is because they don't want the threat of terrorism in their states.(makes sense if you ask me)
So what to do? Use money, that America doesn't have to build a new Gitmo type prison center to contain these men? Send them off to somewhere no one will find them? Kill them?(its an option yes) To me, none of these things are the answer. There is only one answer.
Keep it open.
Don't close one of the most secure locations in the world. These are the type of places you send madmen, who want to kill, rape and destroy the American and Western way of life. These are not people...these are terrorists. Terrorists who attacked America and attacked our allies. These men...need to die. To rot in prison, sure. To send them to death, sure why. Not. Eye for an eye I say.
I mean hell if we capture Usama bin Laden what do we do with him...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Barack Obama
The Perspective: It has happened. It is official. We have sworn in the 44th President of The United States Of America. I have nonthing more to say about it. I'm happy that it has happened. While I don't agree with most of his issues and where he stands. Now, today none of that matters. Today is history. Today America the greatest nation in the world has put an African-American in The White House. Don't forget this day, because ladies and gentlemen, today we witnessed history.
The Oath
The Speech Part One
The Speech Part 2
The Oath
The Speech Part One
The Speech Part 2
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