February 5, 2009 9:02 PM
The Obama week: Fear-mongering, awkward moments, and more double standards
When it looks like you are losing on rational grounds - i.e., that people are getting wise to the sad reality that the "Stimulus Package" is really a Spendarama to reward interest groups and potential 2012 Democrat voters - what should a new and inexperienced President do>
Pull out all stops. Stir up some FEAR. Demand what you want NOW!!!!
Obama warns of turning a 'crisis into a catastrophe' (CNN) -- President Obama warned Wednesday that failure to act immediately on his economic aid plan "will turn crisis into a catastrophe and guarantee a longer recession." President Obama says Congress must act "without delay" on his economic plan.President Obama says Congress must act "without delay" on his economic plan.
Click to view previous image"Millions more jobs will be lost. More businesses will be shuttered. More dreams will be deferred," Obama said, as Senate debate continued on amendments to the stimulus package.
The House last week passed an $819 billion version of the plan, but no Republican voted in favor of it. The president has been trying to gain Republican support before the Senate votes on its version of the bill.
Debate on amendments to the bill is expected to last all week in the Senate. A vote could come as early as Friday.
Entire story here.
Obama warns of need for stimulus bill right away
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent Thu Feb 5, 9:40 am ETWASHINGTON - President Barack Obama warned on Thursday that failure to act on an economic recovery package could plunge the nation into a long-lasting recession that might prove irreversible, a fresh call to a recalcitrant Congress to move quickly.
In an op-ed piece in The Washington Post, the president argued that each day without his stimulus package, Americans lose more jobs, savings and homes. His message came as congressional leaders struggle to control the huge stimulus bill that's been growing larger by the day in the Senate. The addition of a new tax break for homebuyers Wednesday evening sent the price tag well past $900 billion.
Senate Democratic leaders hope for passage of the legislation by Friday at the latest, although prospects appear to hinge on crafting a series of spending reductions that would make the bill more palatable to centrists in both parties.
Obama painted a bleak picture if lawmakers do nothing.
"This recession might linger for years. Our economy will lose 5 million more jobs. Unemployment will approach double digits. Our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some point, we may not be able to reverse," Obama wrote in the newspaper piece titled, "The Action Americans Need."
He rejected the argument that more tax cuts are needed in the plan and that piecemeal measures would be sufficient, arguing that Americans made their intentions clear in the election.
"I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change," he wrote.
Read entire article here.
That's right, President Obama, they voted for CHANGE!!!
- Not the biggest spending spree in the history of our country to secure Democratic control forever.
- Not more old-idea Democrat political hacks who raise everyone else's taxes while not paying their own.
- Not an administration that cuts corporate CEO pay and perks while continuing to allow themselves huge excesses.
- Not an administration that says one thing - bipartisanship, listening, ethics - while doing another.
- Not a leader who campaigns on ending the war in Iraq and promptly begins escalating in Afghanistan (where is the radical left on this one?)
- Not a leader who manipulates us through fear-mongering and acts like a petulant school boy when he doesn't get his way.
Interesting to live in the DC area where what the President does each day is our local news - stuff you might not be getting in flyover country.
On Tuesday, as press secretary Gibbs fielded questions from the press regarding Daschle's dropping out as HHS secretary, Obama and Michelle "escaped" to read a book to second graders at a DC public school:
There's certainly the irony that his own girls are going to the most elite school in DC while the Obamas grandstand among the common kids in a public school.
But ponder the significance of a man who spent only several months in the Senate and then campaigned for almost two years to get to the White House, who now spends two weeks flubbing administratively while entertaining lavishly, then together with his wife acts like it's such a terrible burden they have to "cut loose" and "break out."
And just imagine if Bush had done something similarly shallow in the midst of constantly crying "Crisis!" to the citizens of this country.
Sheesh. Where is the dignity? Where is the gratitude? Where is the humility? Where is the servant/leader we need?
And why - since Bush was always raked over the coals for not responding properly to a crisis - is Obama being given a pass on the Kentucky crisis, which has left 55 dead and 200,00 without power. Why is the press so pointedly not interested in the story? Was the only thing that made crises interesting before that they provided an opportunity to blame Bush for something else. And now if Lord Obama does not turn his gaze in that direction, neither do they?
This weekend, Obama will travel to Williamsburg with a couple hundred lucky Washington lawmakers to spend the weekend at a luxurious spa/resort to discuss politics.
Excuse me? Isn't that what they are supposed to do every day on Capitol Hill?
And Excuse me again - didn't Obama just verbally rough up corporate execs, then put a cap on their pay and perks? Even the Associated Press is scratching its head:
INSIDE WASHINGTON: Congress retreats, luxuriouslyBy LAURIE KELLMAN - 2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Members of Congress were quick to shame corporate executives for over-the-top extravagance during the economic crisis, flying private jets and taking luxury junkets. But some lawmakers are strolling fancy resorts spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars and mingling with lobbyists.
"We're very mindful" of perceptions, House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson told reporters Thursday camped outside of the sprawling Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va., where House Democrats spent about $100,000 on their three-day annual retreat. "It's serious and it's from morning till night. We've been dwelling, rightfully, on the economy," said Larson, D-Conn.
Republicans and Democrats in the House have passed new rules governing such trips even as lawmakers say the events are useful for negotiating public policy. But with a nation tightening its belt and already fatigued by stories of corporate excess, perceptions matter these days in Washington. Congress risks shattering its glass house throwing stones.
Read entire article here.
I'll tell you - it is getting pretty weird in the DC area because the double standards and hypocrisy here are so beyond belief right now.
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Comments
Here's another popular spot for politicians to gather:
http://www.nemacolin.com/CHATEAU
The luxury, extensive facilities and amenities, private airstrip, and close proximity to D.C. make it appealing, apparently. It's just a few miles from my parents' house, so I've been there--not to soend the night, of course. Like probably 99% of the local residents of the area, I could never afford it!
Posted by: Marian | February 5, 2009 11:54 PM
I have difficulty managing my emotions when things start to get out of hand...As Christians, we have the responsibility to do what we can for the sake of morality...make the phone calls etc...Then there's the scriptures that say over and over " FRET NOT"... I turned to psalm 37 yesterday, and it was such a comfort to read that the evil people will wither like the green herb...Lots and lots of encouragement there. I think that the next 4 years are going to be a balance of fighting the good fight when we can do something about it, and reading the good book for peace.
Posted by: Lisa | February 6, 2009 12:19 PM
Very good perspective, Lisa. I just finished sending my emails. Now I will go and read Ps. 37 and say my prayers.
Posted by: Elissa | February 6, 2009 1:34 PM
