CNN

All one has to do about the impasse with the GOP with the stimulus planis to remind them that they wanted the Bridge to Nowhere that featured a construction of a bridge to an island which had only fifty people on it. If that wasn't egregious enough then this stimulus package gauged to help far more people should be seen as a god send. Money will be spent, period! Now get started on what people want and get it to them before Republicans lose more ground on this battle for nothing!

They should get rid of the whole bill instead of fixing it. It will not create jobs for another couple of years at a mere cost of $260,000 per job. It will also bankrupt our economy. The bill only stimulates the pockets of the people that voted for the dumbocrats. If you dont believe this look at all the pork in this bill and where it is all going.

This is way off track! What happened to the original intention of job creation, mortgage help, infrastructure projects? Just crazy spending! Pork. Get ready for the Great Depression 2.

Jack: The stimulus package could have more tax cuts for lower and middle income tax citizens. This would make two groups very happy the 95% making less than $250,000.00 a year and the Republicans. I can not believe the Republicans want to do something that would benefit the lower and middle incomes groups. Jack. times they are changing, or maybe the Republicans do not want lose anymore of their support.

John from Alabama

Unnfortunately, the content is not known well enough to identify all needed changes – this is the price speed but speed is necessary.

I would like to see Buy American provisions in the final Bil

I recommend a tax credit for emploteers aith a high percentage of YS citizens in the workforce.

I would also recommend a tax rebate for the diabled & elderly.

I guess the financial bailout funds are in the package that has passed, Some how a stipulation should be added that prohibits bonuses or golden parachutes.

Jack: Greater financial minds than mine have crafted the stimulus bill. We need to start trusting our government – as unique as that sounds. Let's join together instead of tearing down. Maybe, just maybe, there are actualy new solutions that the pundents may not have thought of yet: give Obama a chance to succeed – we'll all benefit.

Just say no to pork!

It should be a REAL stimulus bill and not a spending bill. It should be broken into two packages with the stimulus portion enacted now and the spending part studied carefully and presented later when the economy has begun to show signs of recovery. I think every person in Congress could vote for that kind of stimulus bill. The president and the speaker should not force their agendas on a suffering country at this time. Let us get back on our feet before you try to enact all your campaign promises, Mr. President. Please.

Perhaps it doesn't need changing. Maybe if the Democrats did a better
job of explaining it so ordinary taxpayers could understand it, we wouldn't be so apprehensive. And by the way, does anyone really think McCain would have done a better job with this problem during his first two weeks on the job?

Manchester,NH

I think that a lot of the democratic agenda that has been added to it needs to go away... It needs to stick to just a focus on jobs and the [percentage] tax cut that we have heard about to give the Republicans less room to disagree. Once we can get rid of a lot of the non-stimulus elements, I think that it will provide a more non-partisan agenda for the country, and not just a party.

I mean, come on, the democrats have a lot of time to implement their liberal agenda... Now just isn't the time to do so.

Put in provisions to ensure that every dollar spent is with American companies with American labor. If the end result of the stimulus is to send dollars overseas (primarily to China) then it won't accomplish a thing and will only make us worse off than we are now. We need realistic tarrifs aimed at cost-of–labor parity to rebuild our own manufacturing base.

One of Obama's main talking points was penalizing companies that outsource jobs overseas. Bringing those jobs back here thru tarrifs would give our economy a major boost while bringing in much needed dollars to the government.

Jack,
First take out all of the crap and pork spending. After that is done, divy it up amongst the working taxpayers, but give them a debit card. Spend it or lose it. Now that would stimulate the economy I bet.

You know the answer to that one, Jack. More emphasis on permanent infrastructure, especially things that are already scheduled for 2010, 2011 and 2012. It wouldn't hurt to provide seed capital and/or tax credits for those starting a new exportable industry such as energy conservation technology, alternative energy production, and environmental cleanup devices.

That’s easy, just treat the big banks and corporations the same way we are treated whenever we get a government handout such as welfare. I.e. take ownership of any real property, place ironclad restrictions on how the money is to be used, and in the event that the money is misused such as buying luxury items like private jets, huge bonuses for monumental failures etc. make criminal charges against them and seek full restitution with interest, penalties and incarceration.

Take all the pork out of it. Just make it a jobs creation bill instead of the grand wish list that it is. This is not the change we were promised.Being almost no one in the House read the bill before voting on it , did Pesident Obama read it? When are the American People going to wake up. This is an insult to any one with a brain.

In its current form the Stimulas Package is loaded with Pork and none of that will not create jobs. Any Senator that votes for it needs their head examined.

The stimulous package should respresent what President Obama wants. No perks, pork, special interests or additional tax cuts. Every thing it contains should represent helping our economy and us,
And, not one penny should be given to any education system,
state or business without strigent stipulations, guildelines and
oversight.

How about changing it to include a $1,000 rebate to EACH American to be used only toward healthcare needs. After all, wasn't it Obama and Clinton who both said all Americans deserved the same type of medical coverage that Senators had?

The stimulus bill should be opened- open-ended. With the two party system that seems impossible, because no matter how it is steered, one group will be negatively critical and help divide the citizens, business and the media. Mainly conservative republicans have a big opportunity being the minority party at present. Due to the crisis of our financial markets (world-wide) we must knit the underpinnings of the banks, insurances and investment companies with trust exchanged for manifestation/transparency of operation to distribute loans, funds etcetera that grease the wheels of our needs first and luxuries second.
The open-ended portion is a monitoring overview without setting a fixed depth on amounts. The cooperation is in setting/establishing human and national needs with both conservative and liberal eyes.

Easy. Take out all the ideological crap and put together a bill that will help get America back on track. Jack, I don't know about you, but I have had enough of Washington playing politics with America's future.

If you look at the basic problem, lack of decent paying jobs, you must look at outsourcing. American companies terminate American workers in order to get a product made dirt cheap (often by children) in countries that do not require them to contribute to the well being of those exploited workers. Our tax code, which should be punitive toward these same companies, is not. The stimulus package should include immediate tariffs on all goods manufactured by American companies overseas and imported to this country. Hefty tariffs. The fees collected would support unemployment and healthcare benefits for the American workers whose lives have been ruined by outsourcing and would be an incentive for companies to return manufacturing to our shores.

The stimulus bill must be structured to have stated objectives for every dollar that is committed to the plan. The basic planning questions of Why, What, Who,When, How and Basis should be covered in detail. Why is it needed, What is the expected outcome, When will the outcome be acheived, How will the money be used to attain the outcome and what will be the Basis for measuring the outcome and attainment. There is too much FREE money flowing in too many directions without having any real planning going on.

NO PORK ! NO MORE MONEY TO BANKS/FINANCIAL INST !

Pay the taxes back to the TAX PAYING PUBLIC making under
$100,000 to pay down our credit .... the banks get their money so
then they have money to lend again. Bottom up economics ...
where have we heard that before?

75 million to the border law enforcement agencies, not for smoking research .... If people don't know by now smoking kills you, with the notice on each pack & by their relatives & friends dying from it, then
they just don't care. It doesn't matter how much money you dump into it ... BUT NOT MY TAX MONEY !!!

Jack;
Not one penny should go to banks or corporations. That money is getting stashed into fat cat accounts, offshore accounts, and in safes. If you want to stimulate the economy, all of the money should go to homeowners who are losing their houses, lower taxes, property taxes, and to the lower and middle class who will end up spending that money. Another stimulant would be for American companies to stop outsourcing, get rid of illegal workers, and buy American. THAT would stimulate the economy! Just saying it, stimulated me!

Wildwood Crest, NJ

We need to get the money directly into the hands of every normal American. The quickest way to do that is to draft everyone; men and women, 55 years and under into the army. We already have enough rifles, tanks, planes and morters to arm everyone.

Few thinking Americans believe this economic tragedy is a merry mix up.It was engineered to transfer wealth from the people of the U.S. to a few apex predaters who have used us all so arrogantly.Nothing could render so satisfying a measure of justice than for the president to use the foul precepts of the patriot act to stick these evil bastards in prison where they so obviously belong.Calculating the amount of money they have extorted from this country and imposing a fine of that amount as a condition of their release would establish Obama as the greatest upholder of justice since Superman. If he uses borrowed moneyto further reward these criminals and put us into generations of debt the people will remember that too.

I have no interest in this comment being read on the air. However,
I hope that news commentators on CNN will think about what they are reading or reporting on the news. On the segment Kids and Hard Times, the news commentator that suggested parents be careful about telling children, "we can't eat out as often now or Mommy likes her job, but it isn't your fault that I don't have it anymore (to a 4 year-old)
GET SERIOUS! Families are facing homelessness and worse. CNN and its news commentators need to get in touch with how devastating it is out here and cease with the platitudes.

Let's go ahead and take out all those silly tax cut concessions since Republicans apparently need a primer about what the word 'bipartisan' means.

Why is Washington so dismissive of the idea of giving every adult in America a six- or seven-figure amount, as if this is utter nonsense? It would cost the taxpayers less than the Wall Street debacle, and the taxpayers would have little to complain about the disbursement. How do we know that putting real money (as opposed to pittances) directly into the taxpayers' pockets would not seriously stimulate the economy? With all the failed costly expenditures to date, why not give this a try?

Hello Jack,

The "Stimulus" bill isn't being called a stimulus bill by dems. They are calling it the American growth & something or other. Unlike the Republicans, they aren't just trying to fix today, they are trying to lay a groundwork for long term recovery.

At 1:30ish EST today, CNN ran a clip about the impact of this Republican economy on kids in America. Please send that clip to those boneheads so they can see what they have done to this country and what President Obama is trying to fix.

It's a fact that most corporations don't pay the gross U.S. tax rate. Deductions and local deals greatly reduce the actual rate. Stop using this excuse for the greedy corporate owners who have moved jobs out of this country to get slave wages and no benefits. What is happening today was inevitable when Bush and the Republicans allowed corporations to move to 3rd world countries to employ slave labor and for China to dump their garbage and lead through WalMart Without those manufacturing jobs, America is well on it's way to being one of those 3rd world countries.

What glue is Guillani sniffing to think these bonus' paid to Wall Street is okay.

Take all stimulus money and replenish social security fund. Then take the SS fund money and invest it in low fixed rate (say 4%) low loan-to-value (say 55%) interest only mortgages that have a "super lien" (like a tax lien). Home buyers could still get first and second mortgages but the SS money always stays with the house.

Value: SS fund gets replenished and is invested (means it will grow relatively safe) , all the money involved would flood the market with liquidity (giving banks some room to write off or write down old bad loans, and lastly "joe" home owners would lower payments, which means he/she would like spend more ... win...win...win..

bad part .... NO PORK TO REPAY CAMPAIGN DONORS .......

The administration should form an infrastructure bank and put all dollars they budgeted for infrastructure projects into it allowing the bank to leverage the amount put in by a factor of 20 to 1.

This would give the infrastructure bank about 1-2 trillion dollars to spend immediately and be a down payment on the 15 trillion which is projected to be needed to truly fix America's declining infrastructure..

The bank would fund all the infrastructure projects on a debt basis and receive funds back through tolls, etc. As the economy picks up a gas tax of $1 to 2.00 per gallon should be put on gasoline and come back to this bank to pay off the debt and continually re-invest in infrastruture and green projects.

Since the Republicans did not want to play ball after all, the bill should be stripped of the suggestions they had made and returned to its original form that the Democrats put forth. If they don't want to accept any responsibility for the plan, their input has no business being in there.

Take all stimulus money and replenish social security fund. Then take the SS fund money and invest it in low fixed rate (say 4%) low loan-to-value (say 55%) interest only mortgages that have a “super lien” (like a tax lien). Home buyers could still get first and second mortgages but the SS money always stays with the house.

Value: SS fund gets replenished and is invested (means it will grow relatively safe) , all the money involved would likely flood the market with liquidity (giving banks some room to write off or write down old bad loans, and lastly “joe” home owners would have lower fixed payments, which means he/she would likely spend more … win…win…win..

bad part …. NO PORK TO REPAY CAMPAIGN DONORS …….

1-nothing can be spent without careful observation
2-if we bail you out–no bonuses-no packages
3-ceo's must lower salaries before firing workers
4-when firing American workers are the last to go–if you have a work visa-you go first
5- when and if you need corporate jets–buy American only , noi exceptions

If a company wants OUR tax money all the big shot CEOs and such should be put on an hourly wage (Minium wage), made to punch a time clock and be made to pay for their health care. NO BONUS for anyone in the companies who get our money and any trickery to get around these restrictions would equal jail time (in a real jail, not on Park Ave). Nobody in a government supported company should get over $100, 000. 00 a year.

Yes, lets give every man woman and child in the U.S. a check for $2,000, then let all the banks and businesses that can't make it file for bankrupcy. I'll bet we would all be better off in the long run.

Allen
Mountain Home ID

Pass emergency tax legislation taxing all employes and executives of firms who have or will receive bailout money at a 95% rate on all compensation and bonuses in excess of $100,000 for any individual. One way or the other, we have to get our money back. Then use to tax collections for low interest loans to homeowners. Obviously, we can't trust the banks to handle our money.

Well, Jack, real change would be to allow the people in America to be the decision makers for items included in the stimulus bill, but Washington can scrape the stimulus altogether if they would repeal the federal tax, make it retroactive for '08, and suddenly we would all have money in our pockets...a bit would come immediately from our paycheck...and a large amount in the next few weeks from the federal refund check we could expect for last years payments made.

there should be no bail out money. yes, job losses are rising, but the jobs that are being created are not going to be long term jobs. The creation of roads, bridges, infrastructure, would be like any other construction job, temporary. our form of government is failing, handing out more non-existent money is not going to save us. we need to change to a more need-based government. One that is healthier for the environment and not so driven by over-consumption. It seems as if we can either be pioneers of a newly reconstructed government for the united states, or we can be the pallbearers of an old greed based one.

Cut all pork,give taxpayers and taxpayers only a one time five thousand dollar gift card that expires in six months;spend it or loss it;

The stimulus bill should be just that.Democrats ,understandably, want to see much neglected areas addressed, but this is not the right time.

Hi Jack:

Well I guess I would almost have to know what is in it before I decide what I don't like about it. I already know what the republicans don't like about it. Since the republicans are tooting their horn about wasteful spending. Could any of them tell me where the first half of the bailout money went. Any why it hasn't made a difference in the number of foreclosuers? They can't because they don't know. they don't know because they didn't do what they were supposed to do.

Ron San Diego

Do this first before it is too late
Give every adult in America $5,000 to spend, save or invest
We will make a few mortgage payments and the banks will be liquid again
We will save our homes
Shop at Target, buy a latte at Starbucks
Consumer confidence will soar
Even Rush Limbaugh cant object if 150 million voting age Americans get a check
The $350 billion TARP will be repaid by fall
Everyone will buy cars again, and the auto industry can repay the loans.
Money will fly out of millions of cookie jars
This is our money
Our gov has been squandering it everywhere except here.
On everyone except us.
No oversight by congress. No health care. No college tuition.
Give us a few of our own tax dollars back.
We will rebuild the economy the old-fashioned way.
I call it capitalism.
We will go out to dinner. Or open a restaurant.
Hire a few waiters. Contractors.
Make a mortgage payment or buy a house.
Values rise. The neighborhood is coming back.
Buy a few shares or a few thousand.
Do it now before it's too late.
Time is not on my favorite president's side.
The next election is next year.

Place a surtax on cars and trucks that guzzle more than their fair share of gas. Big tax cedits for development of solar and wind energy. Strict rules that limit compensation of corporate officers to a specific percentage of NET income. Require every legislator, state and fedreral, to read Thomas Friedman's "Hot, Flat and Crowded." Renew the transportation system with a view towards eliminating gridlock, which wastes time, gas, and tempers. Restore the right of stockholders to hammer execs for waste and the legalized theft known as bonuses. Restore the investment tax credit for businesses. Require insurance companies to answer the following questions honestly every year:

1. How much did you collect in premiums?
2. How much did you pay directly to claimants?
3. How do you sleep at night?

Mandate teaching manners and the legal consequences of conduct in schools. Restore shame, embarassment and humiliation as consequences of unacceptable behavior. Figure out what else needs to be taught in school to increase productivity and usefulness, but also give the arts a high priority so that our spirits can soar again and money will no longer be life's only report card. Require that the Big Three's auto execs drive their products two hundred miles per week.

More funds designated for Infrastucture. And I don't trust states to spend the money without lots of oversight and strict accountability.

greenville, sc

I think it should be completely redone and all of it go back to the taxpayers in the form of a check–not a tax break. If I had a few extra thousand dollars, it would all get spent paying off debt-which would go to the banks anyway. Kind of killing 2 birds with one stone. Any extra would get spent in retail stores which would help them out too.

There should be absolutely no pork in the stimulus bill. The people need help now. From what I have heard there are items in the bill that in no way will help stimulate the economy. I want to know why government employees need new cars, how is that going to help the average worker, that is if you are lucky enough to have a job at all.

Jack –

Have you looked around you?

We do not have time to try to make everyone happy, stroke egos, or play partisan games.

Obama's Recovery plan may not be perfect but it will get the ball rolling.

We need help now.....jobs are being lost at record rates and peoples unemployment is running out.

An unemployed American is still an American......and still a Voter.

Cut only what is necessary to get the Republicans on board. The Democrats need their help to pass the bill, but a lot of the "stimulus" that they are complaining about is really long-term investment to KEEP our economy going. Whatever happens, the Demorats should never forget that we are not thinking just about here and now, but must make provisions so that we do not ruin the future as well.

Jack: Economists will tell you that if you genuinely want to stimulate consumer spending, tax cuts, especially for the middle class and wealthy, are less effective than government spending, since those tax cuts are more likely to be saved than spent. Programs that aid those in trouble as well as programs that create jobs (like infrastructure projects), are far more effective in stimulating consumer spending. The bill should contain means and ways that will have a positive effect over the day-to-day lives of, mainly, working class, elderly and poor Americans.

Everyone I have talked to lately thinks the stimulus bill simply needs to be divided to each household at this point. After all, it's really our money anyhow. Do we really need the govt to dole out our money to us?

I say take out anything that doesn't have to do with jobs, like replacing the grass in the capitol and other such crap. Focus everything on job creation and take the money from those deleted parts and put it in the infrastructure or education portion. And make certain there is oversight, very good oversight! All of this needs to be done ASAP as they say, Rome is burning Jack!

Jack
more infrastructure spending and NO TAX CUTS. It is a myth that tax cuts in and of themselves equal stimuli.
our most prosperous period in the 1950's had the highest rates of taxation.
Also we should build RAILROADS with North American steel from US & Canadian sources. All supplies for all projects should be similarly home grown.
thanks
Pablo
Arlington Texas

We really don't know what is in the stimulus bill. If the GOP is against it, I guess it is good for America. Viva La stimulus bill........

The Democrats should cut out all the pork projects that go to US house districts with Republican Representatives.

The stimulus package should be changed tot he point were AIG mst immedialely pay back ever penny plus interest since the so called management of AIG has absolutely not idea what they are suppose to do with the money. Give gigantic bonuses to the people that put them in ruin?? IDIOTS!
If I was in charge, which I'm apparently not, I would let the whole financial corporation go under, Maybe just maybe they will get the message.

Lets not forget the idoits in Washington,

shame shame on what they do to the americam people. They just don't give a damn.

I am writing to protest the use of MY tax dollars to bail-out apparently
inept huge corporations who give their CEO's more money in salaries than any average person could ever hope to win playing the lottery! This is NOT fair and I am writing to protest this illegal use of our tax dollars. Nowhere does the constitution say that the government should support individual enterprises.

Tampa ,Florida

Jack
Eliminate all the non-sense like the smoking piece and all the other parts of this package that are not going to put people to work. Lets feed the poor and give them a place to sleep and get medical attention. This should be part of the stimilus package.

Indianapolis, IN – Apparently, Giuliani thinks our tax dollars should go to Wall Street fat cats in NYC in the form of big bonuses to keep their restaurants alive – I've about heard enough from Wall Street and their New York Kind – didn't they get us into this mess in the first place. Our tax dollars should benefit all Americans, not these slugs. Disgraceful, and shame on you Rudy. Go run another campaign!

they should add greed tax to the oil companies with the price of oil per barrel down why is it that the pump prices keep going up our gas has gone up 20 cents per gallons in the last 3 days WHY? simple answer greedy oil companies wall street is not the only greedy people in this recession ,,however the government people must be affraid of the oil companies as they don't seem willing to do anything to them

SHAME ON CONGRESS! ECONOMY, we need jobs. we sent them to be our voice, keep an open mind then offer solutions to the problem. They are acting like spoil kids trying to get their way or no way. They do not care about jobs, loss of money to families only themselves. Their salary needs to be cut, then they might understand.Prehaps they need to work and be trained by MCDONALD'S to learn teamwork. Liz- Alabama

Jack,

Why can't we find out exactly who it was that received these $18,000,000,000 in bonuses and put their faces on TV? Expose them to the world, their colleagues, their elected officials and their neighbors. A little sunlight goes a long way.

Rob

create more jobs, help out homeowners, give reasonable tax breaks for businesses who are going to hire people, increase government spending etc but must repeal bush tax cuts..also elimate two wars that has caused nothing but pain to our national debt..rich folks need to pay more taxes because the middle class had enough of waisting their money for bailing out banks and not receiving money from the banks to help out foreclosure crisis...a reasonable plan is more effective helping out the economy than making our country falling backwards not forwards...

Remove all Republican suggestions. They're obviously clueless.

Higher taxes for the wealthy, to help pay for the stimulus bill.

I think the banks should be fined for every day they withhold money to borrowers. Language has to be put in this package regarding bonus', and increases in compensation for any institution accepting bailout money. Nothing should go to those banks who refuse to work with homeowners facing foreclosure. More money should be allocated to the state governments facing budget deficits, and finally the money going to schools should be tracked, and they should be accountable for how it is spent. With all the hot air coming out of congress these days, we could heat several million homes for the winter.

Take out the pork and tie conditions to the banking and mortgage industries. No bonuses until bailout monies are paid back.

All mortgage loans 4% no strings attached for the life of the loan. Credit card interest no more than 10% tied to credit score.

Clean up the out dated schools, make classroom smaller in student size.

There are many ways to stimulate the economy that will create jobs and punish the guilty instead of our grandchildren's children.

No raises for congress, etc., until they learn to work for my good and yours. Every time they can't come up with a solution freeze their pay. We need to hurt the people who need the discipline and not the poor and the middle class.

They should, first of all, read it before voting on it. They should take out all the pet projects that don't create jobs, and focus heavily on infrastructure! That will not only produce jobs but also improve a lot of things that have been neglected for years. After that, they need to do anything they can to make us energy independent. That is not only an economic issue, it's a matter of national security! We have groveled at the feet of the middle east for much too long!!

The stimulus bill needs more infrastructure in it. Roads, bridges, dams, rail systems, crumbling buildings, sidewalks, curbs, drainage and sewer updated, water pipes replaced, polluted streams and rivers cleaned up. More organic healthy farming instead of subsidizing farmers to grow corn and feed it to their cows and making high frutose corn syrup out of it which is causing all this up surge in diabetics. Read the labels of your soup, cereal, yogurt, McDonalds hamburgers, etc. All most everything now has this corn syrup in it which is very very unhealthly. Clean up the FDA!!! Gosh I could go on and on!!

Demand a refund of the $800 million given by wallstreet for company bonuses. Take that money and add even more to bailout working people who have lost their jobs and use it to save their homes from foreclosure. Our economy will only get worst if American families are homeless. Trickle-down never worked, let's try the idea of trickle-up!

I am so angry with Obama and I voted for him. This stimulus package is rediculous. STD's, The Mall. Give me a break. Put the first part to health If people don't have to pay outrageous premiums the economy will start to grow. People will have a lot of extra money to spend. As far as the Republicans, I don't agree with money grubbing for the rich and corporations with tax breaks. I also would fire all the CEO's, start over. Also the businesses /CEO's who took bonuses should be arrested and made to pay back that money. Obama needs to cut the nonsense and get serious with the stimulus package. Get some gumption Barack.

Thanks Jack

Hi Jack,

Every dollar of funding for "stupid" programs (sod, arts, executive bonus rewards, etc.) should be removed from the bill. This is a great time for a line-item veto for President Obama. Only funding that will actually improve the economy should be included. And every penny should be accounted for and revealed to the American taxpayer.

hOW SHOULD IT BE CHANGED- HERE IS A SHOT.

First of all every item should be easily linked to job creation in the mind of the average person. Studies (i.e. global warming) and things like that are automatically excluded because they create paper and not jobs in the short term.

Second the time period should be clear- any project must create money in the pocket within 18 months.

Third some level of tax cuts should go to EVERY PERSON WHO IS ACTUALLY PAYING TAXES; this ought to be stimulus and not wealth redistribution. Fairness anyone?

FOURTH AND MOST IMPORTANT. ANY PROJECT SUPPORTED BY BARNEY FRANK SHOULD BE CLOSELY STUDIED TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T INVOLVE COMPANIES WHICH PROVIDE CALIFORNIA HOMES OR PORSCHE CARS TO THEIR EXECS.

Take out the garbage that will not help the US immediately. Tax cuts will not help until April of 2010.

Also hold the receivers accountable for the use of the Money. Do not allow this TARP money to be wasted like last time.

It should have more spending on infrastructure, less tax cuts and no wasteful spending. Read any economic textbook: tax cuts will not create as many jobs as direct government spending.

People will not only be put to work rebuilding roads, bridges and the electric, but also in the production of materials required, such as asphalt, concrete, steel, etc.

We are teetering on an economic precipice and we need to get this right. Let's keep the arguments to the point, reduce the unnecessary partisanship and put country before party.

Ed Reed
Port Aransas, Tx

I had part of this answer yesterday...

* Money devoted to unemployment benefits, re-education benefits, food stamps for the unemployed (in most states, if you get unemployment, you make too much for food stamps, which is inane!), and especially, tax cuts and some subsidies for job creation.

* Money that MUST be used to loosen up the credit crunch. I would prefer to see it go to the taxpayers, since at least they will spend it on something that helps (like groceries, mortgages, clothes, health care, credit card debt, car repairs or new cars, and other retail spending).

* Money spent on updating our infrastructure, like roads, bridges, and public transportation.

Get this passed ASAP, and work on the other stuff later!

What it should NOT include:
* No stimulus money to any company whose board members, and CEO do NOT take a cut in income and benefits, or who have laid off people while giving raises to executives.
* No money to any bank who used bailout money to buy out other banks and yet have NOT loosened up credit lending to qualified borrowers.
* No money to any corporation who has more than $1 billion in NET income that has off-shored ANY jobs in the last 8 years, while laying off workers here in the U.S.
* No money to any company that has been proven to hire illegal workers in this country.
* No money to any company that spends more than a combined value of .01% of their NET profits on golden parachutes, extras (like corporate jets), or special benefits to executives (company cars, chauffeurs, health clubs, country club memberships, golf clubs, spas, etc.). If they have that kind of money, they don’t need MY money.
* No additional money for perks for members of the Congress, or raises. If they miss more than a certain percentage of votes, they take a cut in pay. (Most of us don't get paid if we don't show up to work; think it is only fair to extend that to the government!)

i realy think that the ceos have been aboard too long they need to go let some one else have a go at it 2nd i think the money should go to the people them sefs ive been out of work for a year and know of a service station i could run but no money to do it with

I would take the "quit smoking" and "rubbers for the poor" programs and only leave things that are for the stated purpose of the bill. forget the republican ideas they are trying to make the country fail so they look like a good alternative in a few years. and as for the dems. Pelosi needs to be less happy with herself and work a little harder on what the president wants, she was part of the problem and I have not sen her trying to be part of the solution.

Jack: Tax cuts should be limited to those making less than $180000.00 and small business' that make less than 12% return on their products. Do you think $10.00 a paycheck is going to make a bread winner go out and buy Wall Street out of the mess their greed got us into. I don't think so. The stimulus needs to create jobs that will create another job for every job. Every five jobs created will create one more in another part of the economy. America has to change and when you hit bottom there is only one way to go. UP!

Jack – They were throwing money at the banks, that wasn't the answer.
the banks are afraid to lend to each other, because neither of the banks want to let the other bank know how many "toxic" assets
either one actually have.....The bottom line should have been to buy up all those toxic assets, and until that happens, people and the banks are going to have a difficult time borrowing money.
They could have put all those toxic assets in a seperate institution, at least temporarily, til we get the economy moving, and people back to work...Until that happens, they will be borrowing more & spending more of our tax dollars !

Should be spent on immediate money to Americans via tax cuts and infracstruture needs as many States have "ready" projects but don't have the money to proceed – not money spent for Honey Bee Ins, Fish Barriers, ATV Trails, Gardens, etc.
However, do not think Obama cares as he's doing exactly what Clinton did in early 1990's – he's giving candy and then the potato down our mouth; the potato is much higher taxes. Watch !
Joanne B
Minnesota

What we don't need are tax cuts: the only people they benefit are the filthy rich by making them even richer.

Not surprising that the Republicans are pushing this: contrary to the fantasies of the religious far right, the rich have always been their primary clientele.

What we do need are jobs: permanent, stable jobs at 40 hours per week with decent pay and decent benefits for the huge numbers of American (note that I said "American," not union-busting foreigners) working people who drive the economy.

Not surprising that the Democrats are held in such low esteem, even by those who vote for them by default. Decent work at decent pay used to be the primary plank in the Democrats' platform. It's been so long since they sold out on this issue that most voters don't even remember what they once stood for.

Address only the immediate needs. Food, shelter, jobs, and a chance at a sustainable, stable life. Anything else is irrelevent.

Remove items aimed at social needs (prevent smoking, prevent STD, etc), which won't actually create many more jobs, and let them stand later on their own merits.

Add more support for public transit, which will create jobs and reduce polution.

If the evil narrowed minded conservatives republicans had it there way all 825 billion dollars would be tax cuts for wallstreet. They keep saying that there a new party with new ideas. Not true!!!!They are using Obama good will and desire to reach out against him.

Instead we should it sould be all spending. Which sould include all the building projects already taled about bot mabye to replace the outdated/broken equitment such as bullitproof vest.; Thousands of people could be hired and mabye building new hummers would save GM. It would be nice to see a bailout for bourbon street which would be a stimulus in its self.

Easy. I can tell them where to send my $100k, at which time I can start to stimulate the economy with all the stuff I'm going to buy.

The stimulus bill should be oriented to putting money directly into the bank accounts of the unemployed to sustain their llving standard until they can find employment and/or be re-trained. In the past, the federal government has subsidized agriculture and other business segments for price support. Currently, we have an excess of human capital as a result of reduced demand for goods and services.
An immediate road to recovery could be realized if the unemployed consumer had the resources to continue their standard of living prior to becoming unemployed.
The proposed stimulus package is approximately 900 billion dollars. The current number of unemployed is approximately 10 million. The per capita income in the U.S. is $42,000. Subsidizing the current unemployment situation would cost approximately $400 billion, half the proposed stimulus package and would result in an immediate economic stimulus. Of course, the income would also be taxable.

Jim
Lake Royale, NC

NO PORK....

If it doesn't directly free up credit, or put people back to work, keep it out of the bill.

Their idea of stimulus is putting me to sleep.

Why can't the stimulus money be awarded like a Line of Credit. They need to submit a request for funds with a spending plan and draw money down as approved:
$50 million to purchase a new jet –NO - 30 second decision
$1 Billion in Bonuses -NO - 30 second decision
$1.5 million to refurnish CEO office - No - 30 second decision
Maybe there is a minimum dollar threshold for the request, like any spend over $10,000,000, so that all requests need not go through the process.

Rich Lucarelli
Huntley, IL

First, stop calling it a stimulus bill, as it will only stimulate despair and debt. Second, change it to a bill to abolish both the IRS and the FED, and go back to the gold standard. Third, set deadlines for the closing of all offshore military bases, and end the wars. Move all troops back home, and end the military empire. Savings from ending the empire are to go solely towards pay down of the debt. Stop any and all bail outs; companies are to file for reorganization under bankruptcy. Politicians wanting to spend beyond an approved budge must do so out of their own pockets, or the pockets of their lobbyists.

How about stimulating the economy instead of catering to the unions, at the same time letting down the workers... and the left with medical care for kids up to 30 years old...which is just another step to socialized medicine.

Look...it's either BIG government where they tell you how to live your life every step of the way...taxing everything as they go......or SMALL government, where you get to decide for yourself. how to live. Why do you think democrats want to keep people under their thumbs? Why keep them poor? Because that's their base and as long as there are poor people who depend on government, they are in control.

Give the people tax breaks. Instead of giving banks 18 million so they can pay bonuses to their execuitives... let the people KEEP WHAT THEY EARN!

I have absolutely no idea how to change the stimulus bill. I don't think anyone knows for sure what would work. We need to go with what the best economic minds suggest and keep politics out of it. I do like President Obama's suggestion that we have an oversight board. Whatever Congress settles on is going to have flaws which will need to be tweaked, adapted, or deleted as time goes on. The plan needs continuous evaluation to see that it is doing what we want it to do.

During the primaries President Obama floated the idea of allowing a tax free withdrawal of $10,000 per year from retirement accounts. Will he keep on his promise?

Put exact stipulations on WHAT For and HOW this money can be used. Since those fat cats got bonuses out of the first package, they should be told "No more money for your group until those bonuses are paid back." Keep a tight handle on how the money is released. Not in big chunks. Make them accountable and have to earn the next installment.

To the extent possible, every dollar given away should be tracked to make sure, for example, Citigroup doesn't purchase another Corporate jet for $50 million.

It's unfortunate that we need to incur unprecedented deficits, but it's necessary, so let's not bicker too much. Speed is of essence.

Jack,
I think this bill should include more "Bush" tax cuts. After all you would have to be a dimwit not to see the prosperous impact they have had on our economy the last 8 years. I think we really need to give the richest people in our country the biggest tax breaks. Once all that money trickles down "again" we should be in just as good of shape as we were the last time we did this. Let us all be grateful for such a competent, bi-partisan, country first special interests second Republican party. How dumb do they think we are?

This bill should remain as President Obama submitted it. He's the intelligent one in the process and Americans do not need any more stupidity and/or arrogance from Republicans or Democrats. We have had enough. It's a shame there is no impeachment for stupidity.

Listening on television, I have heard some good ideas, but no one is listening to each other. I think some of the business tax cuts should be eliminated, people who are not working aren't paying taxes anyway and rich people can afford to sit on that money instead of circulating it. I think that there should be more spent on the electrical grid, and creating a viable rail system. These are twofers because they will put people back to work and move us along to being energy independent. Finally I think the ability to pull back the money if it is being mishandled should be included. We need it, but we need protections.

By putting aside the "nonsense" . More money should be directed to green infra-structure which will encourage innovation (and, consequently, employment in energy-conserving programs) and provide the settings for future development and industry. More money should go to health-care reform: the control of run-away costs in the delivery of health will saving money which can go to consumers' increased buying-power and to greater efficiency - all to the benefit of health-care recipients. Money should be spent also on the preservation of American National Parks - particularly the Civil War battlefields, which are constantly being threatened.

Get rid of all the pork................

Shame on the government for allowing Walter Reed to deteriorate so much and for not providing all the care our veterans need. It is an embarrassment to our great nation to have the world think that we are as ungrateful as this makes us look. These brave people are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so everyone else has a chance at the American Dream. I hope that this administration gives it to them too.

don't give these Wall Street weasels another nickle until they pay back those phony bonuses. in fact I wouldn't be suprised if some of these crooks don't end up being indicted for fraud sometime in the near future.

I see NO difference between the high living AIG, CitiCorp, Bank America, (et cetera, et cetera, et cetera) "executives" and Dennis Kozlowski or John and Timothy Rigas who are now in prison.

these people make the Mafia look honest. as a commentator on another network said about the bailout, "the TARP plan or, as it will be known in the future, "why daddy went to jail."

Throw out all of the pork and only keep what will help the unemployed find jobs, keep their homes and lower our taxes. Who needs all that money for smokers? I thought it wasn't going to be "business as usual"?

Unfortunately, The Republicans don't seem to see beyond the end of their noses. They cannot seem to comprehend that the President's stimulus bill is a long term, thought out, way to begin to turn things around. I swear, if Lincoln could hear what is going on with the Republican Party, he'd turn in his card. I think it's time the Republicans stop claiming him as one of their own. Actually, what used to be the Republican Party, back then, espoused what the Democratic Party stands for now.

Jobs, jobs, jobs, any provision that doesn’t create jobs of equal or greater value then it cost should be stricken.

The focus of every provision must be targeted at that which ails this nation. With the top two being energy independence and infrastructure (bridges, highways, school buildings, etc…). This will put people to work, while fixing what’s broke.

Every provision must:
- Clearly state its goal: cost, number of jobs it will create and tax revenue it will generate.
- List its author and all legislators who support it. I want to know who to hold accountable when I next go to the ballot box.
- be focused on enabling and encouraging the private sector to innovate and expand.

Every dollar must be tracked and accounted for.

Provisions for the exploitation of any funds and fraud must be written with heavy penalties.

A report card showing the cost of each provision and its return on investment must be presented to the public at least quarterly and preferrably monthly.

Help the people, not the banks or corporations! Tax breaks for the people not the corporations.

So far it isn't a stimulus so much as it is a monstrous welfare plan for the very very rich. What would I like to see? The same restrictions we have on welfare for the poor: you have to be starving and if your car is worth more than $2000 you have to sell your car before we will even give you foodstamps. When the CEO's of the banks are applying for food stamps, maybe then I will believe this whole program is actually necessary.

Well since we were trickled down on for 8 years with Bush, and it put us where we are today. it is time to try the trickle up way, and see if it works any bettrer. I for one don't think there is a solution for the economy at this time, but putting the money into the hands of people who will spend it makes the most sense, and it will be put back into circulation, and quickly...

Cut out all the rediculous pork which really is nothing more than the equivalent of throwing money at problems instead of fixing them. Just like with yesterday's question regarding smoking...people are always going to smoke and no amount of money thrown at smoking cessation programs will stop that. In short, thowing money at some of these programs will change absolutely nothing because you cannot change stupid. Also...no more money given to banks. That party needs to end right now. These corrupt institutions want to have things both ways.

HD in Phoenix, AZ

Contrary to the first economic stimulus which was top heavy, big business , this new stimulus proposal focuses on people, families, infrastructure, health, and technology (all which have been gravely neglected for nearly a decade.) I must admit, my first response to the new stimulas spending was, "What's this all about?" But, I suppose I've been deprived of a federal government who would promote programs with the little guy or gal in mind for so long, I had to shift my paradigm. It's good! It's needed! And We the People sure as heck deserve it.

The House package needs to be stripped of the 'liberal' agenda that will not directly and immediately inject critical captial into the system. Take out the 'pork' like birth control and abortion funding. Increase the total for infrastructure. The amount set aside is way too low and this is the very arena that would put people to work – the middle class that Biden and Obama have indicated they wish to help.

I am tired of the Obama orator and need him to grow up and make intelligent decisions for this country. He sounds like he is still campaigning.

It should focus on spending that creates jobs 75% in the next 12 months and 25% in the subsequent 12 months. Spending that puts people to work such as shovel-ready infrastructure jobs and new green jobs. It shouldn't be a spending spree for Democrats and a corporate tax cut party for Republicans. This is just too damn serious of a problem to pork around with. It's time to get real and work for the people and not their political egos.

The stimulus plan should include funds to set up and finance a corporation that will relieve financial institutions of all toxic assets. These toxic assets could be priced at the mid-point of book value and market price, Secondly, the plan should provide more for programs that would create sustainable jobs in the short run.
Delwyn R. Kamara
Upper Marlboro
MD

dear jack,

i personally dont think we would be in this situation if the bush administration had not wanted the bailout money. they scared people so bad that the peole quit buying otherwise people would have kept buying therefore stimulating the economy.i just hope that the goverment will eventually indict him and cheney, but i dont think that will ever happen. they need to be prosecuted for war crimes.look what they did to blagojvich and madoff will go free. mark my word and that is far worse then what blagotavich done.its a shame that bush and cheney can get away with what they did when they prosecuted saddam for the same crime. im proud saddam is gone but whats fair for one should stand for everyone. i dont think we should have to pay for anothrr stimulus plan.

thanks
bonnie/oklahoma

Transparency, first, so we know what elements are included in their voting decisions. Transparency, second, so we can see how the money is spent and who gets it. Then maybe we will all get what we need – jobs, jobs, & jobs. Marlene from Mich

The Democrats should change the stimulus back to whatever it looked like before they changed it in their attempt to get bi-partisan support. They changed it to become a lesser bill and then the Republicans voted against it en masse anyways. Fine. If that 's the way they want to play change it back to the way it was and then move forward and be accountable for its success or failure. Anything short of that will cause me to have no faith in the Democratic party, President Obama, the United States of America, or reason and rationality as basic concepts of reality.

I believe we have to make it a national bill, not one geared to help any local constituency. Nor to help a particular Congressman for political reasons.. The whole country is hurting not only one region.We must begin to thinking of our country as one. The soldiers who fought and died for our country did not fight for only where they lived .We are not pink or blue, we are purple.

Jack,

The stimulus bill is doesn't really stimulate much of anything other than the anger of the American people. It shows the greed and the division of our two parties locked in a contest to get their own way regardless of the outcome Pelosi says we won and don't need the other party. With an attitude like that I don't think we need her.

Bud
North Carolina

Jack:

The bailout plan-A showed no movement toward remediation, the Democrat's Plan-B seems to be Plan-A with different numbers. The change I suggest is to forget the bailout and see the fallout. This will cost billions of dollars less with no net change on the perceived problem anyway. The suggestions means that the public is no less broke without enhancing the lawless financial culture.

Jack

Reduce the work week to 32 hours and keep salaries the same. The result would be 20% more jobs. Reimburse employers and sunset the law. Eliminate other tax reductions for business. Establish import taxes for all companies that have exported jobs to start in two years unless those jobs are brought back.

Jack,

Until the housing industry is fixed no stimulus will make a dent. Foreclosures need to be dealth with. More and more people are losing their homes how can they stimulate the economy. More and more are losing their jobs. we can't even buy bare necessities. Of course Congress isn't looking at the middle class.

Republicans believe that the rich should get big tax breaks, and themoney they spend on new houses and boats will provide jobs to the less wealthy. Democrats believe that the money should go directly to the less fortunate, and THEY can spend it on groceries or healthcare.
Both sides need to rise above these paridigms to a more complex model of how this bill will work. Big institutions are needed, but so are small businesses to make this country work. People who DID take care of their own credit and mortgage SHOULD BE rewarded somehow in this bill. Morgtage relief should NOT be allowed for investment properties, second and third homes.
Any institution who has abused federal monies given them should IMMEDIATELY be forced to return those monies and get no more.

I'm not that certain that "tax cuts" will stimulate job growth. Infrasructure upgrades/ repairs and, in the longer term, alternative energy sources will. The best way to get out of this mess we are in is to get people back to work.

The President should insist that more infrastructure spending be included as he has talked about during his campaign. Increase taxes on the 1% while decreasing the taxes on the middle and lower class families. Give tax incentives to small businesses who hire additional workers and keep the majority of their business in America. Pay directly to the banks as a representative of families who are facing foreclosure on their homes a two-month payment to give these families time to find new employment, catch up on their payments or find alternative housing. As a small business owner, I think a tax credit for small businesses is not stimulative enough, but if we were given a tax incentive to hire, that would do it.

Jack,

This is pretty interesting. I voted for Obama but unfortunately, I also got the Democrats in the House and Senate who seem to be either blind or dumb. Why, because it's the Republicans who are pushing for a smarter and to the point stimulus plan without the pork.

The package only gets changed for our benefit when the Democrats wake up and tell the President they can't vote for it in its current form.

The Stimulus Package should accent technological industries so that our youth will prepared for 21 century jobs. Also financial CEOs should return money to the tax payer for their outlandish golden parachutes.

simple give it all to tha american taxapyers like big amounts to help pay off credit card debt, car loans, or mogatage loans, or insurance a big amount would help like thousands of dollars at least for each taxpayer making under 100,000 and are legsl residents of the u.s also that would do more to help the economy and the american taxpayers who is getting screded byt the current one they have oh by the way at least the struggling taxpayers won't by a yacht or plane or an expensive getaway we all would put in areas of our lives we need that money to go

At least this new stimulus bill is trying to reverse the negative "trickle down" of Reganonmics where we have finally seen what former Pres Regan REALLY meant by "trickle down"......flood the nation with the unemployed or underemployed.

Jack there are many things that need to be accomplished before the economy can recover. Too many to list all of them here today but I will name just a few.
Let’s start by reducing the number of Senators to one per state and reduce their staff by 25 percent. It will take some redistricting and about 8 years but cutting out wasteful spending in government is a must. We had 3 senators running for president for 18 months and no one missed them so that shows that we can do without most of them. Reducing the pork barrel spending by half would save billions of tax dollars instantly and each year to be used for worthwhile things that actually produce results.
We need to do away with free healthcare for life for politicians and their entire families just because someone serves one term in office. They need to serve 20 plus years just like the rest of us do in continuous service. This would save many more billions. In fact since we are going to have healthcare under president Obama we can just do away with their healthcare now and save a bunch more. They are no better than the rest of us so why should they have coverage when we don’t?
Leadership starts from the top down. Asking the American people to pay more and do with less while the politicians continue to waste our money and time arguing like little children is not my idea of a functioning government.

I know it's been a long time coming for the Democrats to have control of the White House, the Senate and the House simultaneously. But, now is not the time to push pet projects. It's quite simple, remove the "pork" and focus more on job creation. Americans need jobs to get this economy moving again, not handouts!

(Sorry Jack, I have to repost, I thought it was $800 million, Sen. Claire McCaskill says it was $18 billion! I didn't realize wallstreet was that shameless.)

Demand a refund of the $18 BILLION given by wallstreet for company bonuses. Take that money and more to bailout working people who have lost their jobs and use it to save their homes from foreclosure. Our economy will only get worst if more American families are homeless. Trickle-down never worked, let’s try the idea of trickle-up!

The democrats have to start telling people that George Bush made a giant mess of things and that you can't trust the republicans with a nickel of your money. The republicans thought it was a good idea not only to elect Bush twice, but it would be a good idea to invest your Social Security money in the stock market. The Limbaugh Party is truly clueless.

Webster defines stimulus – somethng that rouses or incites to activity. Enough said....

Yes, I would like to see some more immediate solutions on the employment situation going on now. I don't think we can wait on money dribbling down in 18 mos or so. I wonder if they ever gave it a thought of diving up that trillion dollar plan to each taxpayer in the country. Think about it, how many tax payers are there in the U.S.? Divided by the trillion dollars, talk about a immediate jump start on the economy!!

No bill, of any kind, is for the benefit of Americans anymore. Congressional spending is waste and pork. I consider the money doled out to be the bait for collecting campaign contributions from the recipients by the so-called leadership. If arrests and convictions for bribery were levied for this practice, the larceny on Capitol Hill just might stop. Wait a second. Who am I kidding?

The democrats have to start telling people that George Bush made a giant mess of things and that you can’t trust the republicans with a nickel of your money. The republicans thought it was a good idea not only to elect Bush twice, but it would be a good idea to invest your Social Security money in the stock market. The Limbaugh Party is truly clueless.

Anderson, Indiana

By getting rid of it!

Shame on Pelosi for passing this Pork Bill, not taking the time to read through all of Obama's preferences, not taking concern that this is an all Democratic vote, not taking the time to realize that Middle class and the American people are hurting. IT'S ALL FOR THEIR BUDDIES AND MORE OF THE SAME!

First remove all tax breaks for anyone person, business or household making more than 200 thousand a year. Anyone getting a tax rebate above this income category isn't going to spend it but just put it in the bank.

Second institute a tax on all bonuse sand incentives paid out by publicly traded companies & corporations at a rate of 90% and institute a tax of 60% on all incomes over 5 million dollars a year.

It seems to me we need to start with an agreement on what "Stimulus" is! I would recommend a set of guidelines starting with a timeframe, like 12 months, in which the funds have to be spent /appropriated. Then some guidelines on how the funds will be allocated. I like 50% on Infrastructure (roads, bridges, electrical grid, alternative energy) , 25% on Business Incentives (i.e. lower corp.tax rates, investment tax incentives on capital improvements like plants, instruments, technology etc.) and 25% on Consumer Incentives (i.e. lower tax rates, consumer rebates on selected purchases like home energy improvements, purchase of efficient autos etc.).

Like a diaper – hold your nose and get a clean one on that's not filled up with waste.
Ralph- Corpus Christi, Texas

Just make sure it’s trickle UP, not trickle down and everything will work out the way it should.

The way to fix the stimulus plan? Don't listen to the republicans. They invented divisive politics, and got us into this mess. They seem to think that beating the same dead horse will makie it get up and win the race. Isn't the definition of insanity to keep trying the same thing and expecting a different result?

Lora
Tucson

Jack, Let's add a barrel of beer to each unemployment check so that we can sit around and get good and "stimulated" because this bill sure as hell isn't going to put us back to work anytime soon.

Toss the whole thing in the trash then write a new bill in which all taxpayers earning under $150,000 receive back all Federal taxes paid by them from 2001 through 2008 (the "W" years). After that, use whatever's left to go after corporations that don't pay their taxes or who shelter income off shore.

Since the House republicans didn't at least make an honest attempt to meet President Obama halfway on the vote, I'd like to see the tax cuts removed and funding for infrastructure included. I'm sure that the folks who have lost power and won't have it restored until possibly mid-February can appreciate that. Economists claim that we get a bigger bang for our dollar with programs that produce jobs than tax cuts. I live in eastern NC and see people who are struggling everyday. We need jobs now - not more posturing by pompous politicians.

I think in this package, we should help the people and not "bail out" companies for bad financial decisions. Because even if we help the companies, people have still lost their homes.
When the government started giving tax cuts to companies who sent their jobs over to other countries...we knew a depression was going to happen. The bill should cut out those tax cuts because it has taken away the jobs of our people. The North American Free Trade Act should be repealed. Companies who make products for our country should get the tax cuts.
After all, we do not hear about anyone being laid off in CHINA!

Eliminate the whole 900 billion. If not possible, get rid of tax cuts and social programs (deal with this at another time). TAX, TAX, TAX the wealthy. Go after the Wall Street bums who are giving out bonuses.and getting bonuses.

Jack–If you achieve any of the above, you are my "Messiah"!

To change this Stimulus package would be to ask the Democrats and Pelosi to consider all the issues that are hurting the Middle Class and the American people. That's a joke! This money should have been allocated to the development of jobs in this country, the housing nightmare that is still in a state of foreclosure and it goes on, and of course, we can forget this idea!

Perhaps if we had adults as legislators we would not have to make changes. Come to think of it, if we had had adults we might not be in this mess.

Fredericksburg, VA

You want to stimulate ? Bring the jobs back home. Then label and sell
"Made in America". Then, get the money back from the crooks that are not using it as they promised with a little interest. Hit them where it hurts.

Everything in the bill should have a reasonable chance to help the economy either short term or long term. We need both. Secondly, they should be part of moving us in the direction we need to go in the future, such as energy independence, electrical grid infrastructure, etc.And theycould fall into the smart investment category, like education, roads, things that we will thankful for ten years from now. More high end tax cuts to appease Republicans does not seem to pass the litmus test.

As much as I like tax cuts they will not do much to immediately stimulate the economy. Only projects which actually create jobs or help people in trouble with mortgages or job loss should be allowed in this bill. Infrastructure and other projects which create jobs and put people to work should be the object not appeasing one group of politicians or the other. Enough partisanship. This country is hurting.

Here are my ideas:

All gov't contracts are limited to low profit...all this gov't bailout money means that effectively all these companies are working for the people and the government and should have profits limited just like gov't contractors. That said.

Cut maximum credit card interest to prime + 2%.

Allow courts to re-set mortgage rates to max of prime + 2%

Auto loans, small business loans... max rate prime + 2%

You get the idea. Now to the other side, since these folks are working for the government they ought to have their executive salaries look like federal executive salaries. NO BONUSES and (I really like Sen. McCaskill's proposal) Maximum compensation for the top dog in these companies...just like the president $400,000. BTW...I hear Rudy Giuliani thinks cutting executive bonuses will hurt NYC restaurant business. Really Rudy? Give me a break you idiot! How much food can one person eat? A $50,000,000 bonus is WAY more than anyone deserves for doing any work. The only businesses that are going to suffer are private jets and contributions to the like of you, Rudy and "former" Gov. Rod B. in IL.

Add more money to infrastructure work, border security and housing and less to the arts, etc.

Look, Jack. There is no money for this stimulus. This country is broke. Who in their right mind would lend us these mega-bucks when we had no way of paying it back? This country is insolvent and no amount of fiat money from thin air will help. We're doomed.

I want the stimulus bill to be modified to require lots and lots of public reporting on how every dollar is spent. Just the reporting alone would create jobs!

The whole thing should be scrapped and the free market system should be permitted to work. If the government doesn't trust the free market system anymore, then stop calling it a bailout and start calling it Socialism which is what it is.

The President should add a muzzle for former NY mayor Giuliani to the package. Instead of Wall St bonuses feeding the crooks on Wall St in NY resturants, that money should be helping fellow Americans who are losing their jobs and homes because of these same crooks.

marygrace
Port Orange, FL

Add more money to infrastructure work, energy development, border security, housing and tax breaks for those businesses who choose to relocate their foriegn plants back in the USA, and less to the arts, etc. This is a long term endeavor and the republicans won't support it because they still want to control the agenda just as they did for 10 long years. Some of them actually hope that Obama and the Democrats fail, so they can claim their lack of support was good for the country, although if it does fail, we all just may go down the tubes. Hell of a philosophy from Limbaugh, Coulter and the other airbags as well as the Republican party. A clearn message was sent to the Republicans as well as the democrats duing the last election that demanded that partsian politics be put aside for the good of the country. Apparently, the Republicans haven't get this message yet.

People who are working will see a increase in their weekly checks, people who draw unemployment will see a weekly increase or entended length of benefits, people who get food stamps will see a increase in their monthly debit card.

How do retired seniors, not covered in any of the above, but draw social security checks and pay taxes see their share ?????

First, they need to raise the amount for infrastructure. Second, they need to eliminate those projects that don't directly stimulate the economy like the stop smoking portion, the AIDS education, etc. Third, they need to be much more direct with funding by giving say $500Billion for hiring workers; this would translate to $50,000 per hire to any company that hires new workers thus translating to 10million new jobs which would just about completely eliminate all unemployed people. Then, so that there is space for these new workers they could pay $5 million for each new business or plant that is created so the total allocuted for business expansion could probably be $50Billion which would be 10,000 new businesses or plants.

I think we need to reduce the tax burden on the business community.We also need to help the working class people.We vote these people into office to look out for the intrests of their states.All they want to do is the party line.What ever happened to looking out for the people?

No tax cuts.

No bank bailouts

No buying up "bad" investments.

Infrastructure improvements should be priority, especially new energy infrastructure. So-called "clean coal" does not count. It is not clean at all.

Bill D
Champaign, IL

Obama needs to face the fact that few Republicans will ever cooperate with him. He should remove tax breaks not aimed at the poor and middle class people and put that money straight into job producing infrastructure projects–many of which exist in conservative southern states, ready to go.

He wants to use some of it to get started on the social change projects he promised in the campaign because he knows how much harder it will be to get Republican support later on. On one hand it makes sense to use his political capital this way, but on the other it gives the Republicans press fodder against him.

I say he should make a HUGE deal about repairing the electrical grids which lead to life damaging electrical storms every year, and segue this project into modifying the power grid for alternate energy programs.

Why not divide 850 billion buy the population and mail a check? That would be a stimulous

It should be changed to 100% infastructure. That's what we were promised and that's what we voted for. The tax cuts can come later if we must, but we need jobs now.

I do not understand why the government doesn't just give the money to the people of America it's our money they are throwing away anyways. They're politicians not business men which is quite obvious seeing as how the first plan didnt do anything for the economy and is being wasted away by these larger companies. If they divided all the money up that's going into this next stimulus plan among every Americanover 18 imagine how the economy would be stimulated. Parents would pay off their homes,credit debts, people would buy cars, and people would just spend which is the problem! Nobody has money to spend. Hopefully they'll open up there eyes and see what really needs to be done!

Spend it only on the American workers & send the wealthy greed to prison!

It appears that some of the "earmarks" are wasteful. Any further expenditure of taxpayers' money MUST be spent in such a way as will CREATE jobs for Americans – not another cent should be paid for executive bonuses, salaries, purchase of additional assets, etc.! Additional tax cuts for Corporate America and/or Small Business are NOT going to create jobs! Tax cuts for working-class Americans will encourage spending on both durable/non-durable goods, entertainment, etc. – requiring the re-hiring of employees layed off in manufacturing, food industry, etc. More importantly, homeowners will be more likely to be able to make their mortgage payments. Expenditures on our infrastructure will certainly create jobs and expenditures MUST require the hiring of AMERICAN workers AND that the utility companies reaping the benefits of such infrastructure bear part of the cost (afterall, taxpayers initially paid for such infrastructure! and utility companies using pipelines, cable lines, etc. for profit should be required to MAINTAIN). Not another cent should be paid to the auto industry absent an agreement that the entire auto (including engines, electrical/mechanical components) is manufactured in the U.S. by American workers and/or manufactured/sold by an American business ... it's time to quit blaming "the unions" for the failures of the auto industry. Politicians and federal employees have secure retirement pensions/benefits ... when the government needs to conserve, we don't hear talk about cutting back on those contractual obligations!

The current stimulus package is not a stimulus package.
The proposal is basicly ladden with pork, expands government and does absolutely nothing to help the small business community in America. We are a very successful small furniture and design business doing well in this economy, yet money is not available for needed expansion because the banks are taking zero risk. In addition, banks are failing to make quality realestate loans that could further stimulate both the housing and retail market. Where is the Congress and Mr. obama's leadership in all of this? They simply don't get it. They only want to stimulate themselves!

Pull out the tax cuts. They are the least effective means of creating jobs, and were only in the bill to mollify the Republicans. Since that didn't work, pull the suckers out, and replace the items that were cut to mollify the Republicans, like family planning support.

It the Republicans refuse to cooperate, and alleviate the mess their party made, then screw them.

Take out everything that will theoretically save us money in the future and replace it with things that will create jobs NOW. Get rid of the health care issues and put in some road construction.

seriously! ok, how about this, get the money out of the pockets of the politicians and big wigs who can afford it, rather the rest of us poor shmucks. polticians and big money got us into this, but they can't get us out of it. let's face it, with bank execs giving themselves raises, and earlier this week the lawmakers doing exactly the same, how are things expected to get better? this mess is just getting worse by the day.

Tony,

You are neglecting to look at history. The biggest jumps in the size of the government over the last 30 years has been due to Republican Presidents and Congresses. The single biggest jump in the size of the government was when President Bush and the Republican Congress created Homeland Security. There is NOTHING in the charter for that group that is not covered by the military, the FBI, and the CIA. Biggest boondoggle in decades!

It isn't the Democrats who want to regulate who you marry, it is the Republicans. It isn't the Democrats who want to force you to use only abstinence for birth control, it is the Republicans. It isn't the Democrats who are denying you access to low-cost or free healthcare it is the rich Republicans. Except for piloting the civil rights movement in Government circles by championing quotas until the minorities started to catch up, the Democrats have pretty much felt that you were free to live your life within the boundaries of the law. It is the Republicans who want to regulate your life to follow the religious right's view of what is moral.

History proves (most vividly by Prohibition) that you cannot legislate morality...a lesson that the Republicans have consistently refused to learn.

But all of this is old news...what is essential is to look beyond the labels of Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent and start looking at the people running for office and what they personally espouse. Once we start looking past labels, it might be surprising to find that many of the positions that used to define the Republicans are now espoused most frequently by Democrats, while the reverse is also true.

Our recovery as a country is going to require two SEPARATE policies and bills: one, for short term shoring up of infrastructure, job creation, and relief for the unemployed, and two, for long-term growth of the economy and reduction of our crippling deficit. Both parties need to think about that...if President Obama fails, the COUNTRY fails in the immediate future. Think beyond labels, and your immediate political goals and think about the good of the country.

Now that we have funded all of the promises for a better economy. can we now have some non fuzzy measurement of the success/failure in all of these areas...in short, can we have metrics for each promise?

Jack, if you do the math, each of the 3 million new or saved jobs will cost $275,000. Since we all know we won't be creating any new jobs that pay that much, it says half or more of the bill is pork. Cut the pork Jack, every penny.

Jack,

We should change it by eliminating it completely. If bozos like Giuliani think bonuses keep NYC and this country afloat, then it's time to sink this ship of fools and start over again with people who know what a day of work really is. What are we trying to save anyway if this is the truth.

Mad Max

Oink, oink. I'm heading for the hog trough for the feeding frenze. I doubt that I'll get much since the heavyweights are already there waiting for their "share" of feelgood food. Harry and Nancy are in the serving line ready to dish out oversize portions of thanks for electing me food. I think I'll just wait until the whole pork-a-potty is over with and just take Pepto to help digest the whole thing. Oop's, that poor old lady that lost her home just got trampled in line!

I would like to see more money spent on jobs directly. There seems to be a lot of money designated for projects that should ultimately create or save jobs. I hope the implied use of the money goes for what it was intended and doesn't run amuck like TARP money. Congress didn't spell out to the banks getting TARP money that they must not give the CEO's millions in bonuses. So they saw no restrictions on using the money to line the pockets of company personnel who should have been reprimanded for poor management skills. I know the stimulus package has been rushed to Congress because of feeling of urgency. Getting it right should be more important than how soon. Money is a precious commodity that should be spent more wisely now that we have this economic crisis.

it is a wonderful country when bankrupt bankers who give themselves
bonuses are the ones to solve our financial problems.
Regulators who did not regulate, promise to do their jobs now
congressmen with sweatheart deals with their handlers now will pass
laws to help the rest of us, as well as, take raise.

dean iowa

Give us the money to pay off our debts. The banks will get the money and we'll be debt free to use our money to spend in small businesses. Everybody wins. Tell the big bonus giant investment firms to die and start all over again. Also, they could put a little money into job training as well and decrease the Congress's pay to minimum wage. Perfect stimulus package. Jobs will evolve from this. Trust me.

Jack,

Talk about hypocrisy!! I really wanted to believe Obama had the brains to get a lot of "so-called smart" people in his cabinet!! I am
terribly wrong and absolutely angry about the OUTRAGEOUS way this
money is to be spent!! Even an idiot could have come up with a better
stimulus bill than this!! I recall in his campaign he said he would make sure that all "pork" spending would be cut out of any programs
that WERE NOT NEEDED!! So much for his word on that now that he
won the election!! I am really, really, bitter Jack. The American people
deserve better that this. We would hard to make this country what it is
and then it comes down to stupidity and wasteless spending!

Jack,
More direct spending on the infrastructure, healthcare reform, and manufacturing. Tax cuts won't give that much bang for the buck but a small amout will help in the short run.

Kill it and let us get what we deserve.

Jack,

The bill should be constructed to provide immediate stimulus as well as additional stimulus a year or so from when it is finally passed. The immediate stimulus should eliminate Bush's tax cuts and give more support to employed and partially employed people. Extend unemployment and food stamp benefits and increase amounts available. Make Medicare available to everyone right now. It'll take thousands of more employees to handle the 50 million uninsured and it will lessen the burden on companies who provide health care to their employees. Make grants to states who have public works projects on hold. Get federal infrastructure projects planned and funded now. Change the tax law to penalize banks who foreclose on a mortgage without offering to restructure the mortgage for substantially lower rates and at a longer term. There's lots I'd do if I could......

Rich Green
San Clemente, Cal.

should go ONLY to the people and for jobs for the people... it is our money.. btw

Make sure a great deal of it goes to Library Tech and Literature..
Less on Schools.

(1) Take out all tax cuts for anyone who makes more than $100,000 per year. Give large tax cuts to the lowest on the economic ladder, then work up the latter. The tax cuts should diminish as we move up the economic ladder.
(2) Bailout the neediest of home owners who are facing forclosure. Only the first home is eligable. No second homes or vacations homes will be included.
(3) Extend unemployment benefits to a full 12 month period, and increase benifits by 10-20 % across the board.
(4) Establish a fedearal jobs retraining program for all LEGAL Americans Citizens.
(5) Give tax breaks to small and medium size companies only. The tax breaks are contingent on how many new employees they hire, and how long the employees stay with the company. (only legal citizens need apply).
(6) Increase funding ten fold for infrastructure. The bid must go to a local USA company. Employees have to be hired from the community where the project resides. All employees must be legal US citizens. All materials used on the project have to be American made and assembled.
This is a good begiining, but much much more needs to be done.

Please just give the Republicans their tax cuts so we can be done with it. It's not like any of it is going to be paid back, so why let billions of dollars get in the way of bipartisanship?

Jack,

The only change they should make to the stimulus bill is: there will be no stimulus aid to any state/congessional district who's Sentator or Representative voted not to pass the bill...

Central Islip, N.Y.

I wouldn't hand over another dime until the accountability issue is resolved. In my business I direct where funds are spent for goods & services. I don't leave my checkbook open so purveyors can write their own checks for amounts they feel they need. I thought this was a fairly simple business proceedure. As a small business owner I'm insulted with the open checkbook policy of these incompident wall street thugs. The CEO's involved in this money grab should be kicked to the curb ASAP.

Let's increase the $20,000,000 that we are giving to Hamas.
This way there will be more targets for the next Israeli response to rocket attacks.

Then we can put more people to work in the weapons industry to create more weapons to give to Israel so they can hit more targets in Gaza so we will need to give even more to Hamas next time

And so goes it...Our elected officials have simply lost their minds!

Come on guys, put the stimulus money and the Hamas $20 million directly into the hands of Americans so they can pay the damn bills.

Hi Jack:: How come more and more of the people on CNN are beginning to sound like Rush Limbaugh?? Most of them seem to interview Republicans and interrogate Democrats. It was really evident during last of the Bush years and is continuing!

Well, since I haven't read the entire thing, I certainly can't say how I would "change" it. All I know is I don't trust the Republicans to do anything right like they haven't in 8 years and beyond.

No tax cuts. They are pointless. They may save some jobs for a week but not long term. This is an opportunity to employ many people by fixing our infrastructure and starting to tackle some of our problems. How about taking the Eisenhower interstate plan and think about a high speed rail cross country? When you really think about it – all this money we are going to spend – what if we gave everyone enough to clean up all their debt and start fresh? If all personal debt was gone people would start spending again. The idea has some merit – it is supposedly is our money after all.

The bill should strictly be confined to the rebuilding of our infrastructure, and the development and implementation of our alternative energy needs. Gasoline, and oil need to go bye-bye yesterday.

Most importantly, any company with their hand out for taxpayer dollars should be required to fire the President, CEO & Board of Directors before they are given one thin dime. It is crystal clear to me that the people currently in charge don't have a clue. They ARE the problem. I am so gun shy after the complete and utter failure of the first bailout (and the world did not spin off its axis), I say let them all sink or swim. No more money. Barring that, anything that looks like pork, smells like pork or oinks like pork needs to be removed.

Perhaps if the Democrats did what Obama originally said he wanted in the stimulus instead of going on a spending spree and adding anything and everything just to appease those they are indebted to, the bill might get passed. I can't beleive people think that the Republicans are being unpatriotic for voting against the bill. Perhaps they just feel the same that more and more citizens are beginning to see, that while there are many good programs offered in the package, there are also way too many that need to be in an appropriations bill, and don't have anything to do with creating jobs. Could someone please explain how 150 million for honeybee insurance creates jobs?
I believe the Republicans appreciate the goodwill efforts by Obama and if some of the unnecessary spending were taken out, many would support the package.

Jaack,

With the recent "banking bailout" surpassing $800B of taxpayer money and federal lending rates at an all-time low, you might expect that credit for mortgage refinancing would somehow be available at reasonable rates.

Even with a credit rating above 700, banks appear to only be interested in quoting high interest rates, multiple points (for quick profit), excessive origination fees, excessive closing fees ($500 for a lawyer for less than 1 hour of work) and incredulous buy-back points options.

Has the "greed" migrated from Wall Street to Bank Street?

In response to Guilliani's comment: "Wall Street has $1 billion, $2 billion in bonuses, the city had a deficit. Wall Street has $15 billion to $20 billion, New York City had a $2 billion, $3 billion surplus, and it's because that money gets spent. That money goes directly into the economy. First of all, it gets taxed as income. Secondly, it gets taxes again when somebody buys something with it.",

Mr. Guilliani you ain't too good at math are you? That same $15B could just as easily been spent to hold onto 200,000 jobs paying $75K a year. That income still would have been taxed and used to buy food, clothing, gas... just as well as if it had been given to greedy Wall Street CEO's. Bonuses don't lead to healthy economy; they are just an indicator of one. Stop trying to defend corporate greed and call this what it is: Wall Street's version of "let them eat cake!"

Take out the pork .. ALL the pork. Then whoever gets any money has to open their books to the Whitehouse to show that the money is being used properly .. and I mean BOTH sets of books!

First, all bonuses paid after bailout funds were paid have to be returned to treasury with interest. Then all banks that cannot stand on their own should be allowed to fail and their assets given to banks that can stand the light of day. All records of any organization that accepts any federal help must be made public, and all compensation given to any bailed out organization should be exactly the federal schedule for public workers, including executives. After all, they are now on the public payroll. The middle class income tax bump from 10 to 25 percent should be scaled back and that bumb should be shifted to the upper class. Laws should be emplaced preventing state and local tax increases which would surely come if the feds left any money in the pockets of the taxpayers due to any "stimulous" measures.

More benefits (tax breaks, loans, etc) for those who create American jobs and penalties (tax surcharges) for those who export American jobs. We cannot thrive being a service sector. It creates the ulta rich and the servant class and destroys the middle class.

Incentives to buy American made goods where the cash comes back to the workers and to the government in the form of payroll taxes, social security taxes, etc.

Stop penalizing (taxing) savers. If more people saved the banks would have money to lend without the bailout.

Tax credits to homeowners and homebuyers. People can keep having kids and get additional tax credits and a house is every bit as expensive to maintain as a child.

Give help to people mired in student loan debt so they can see a light at the end of the tunnel. People are even afraid to try to get an education now – they'll live in poverty for most of their lives trying to pay back student loans.

This is a multifaceted problem and will take a multifaceted approach. We have to create jobs in America and make work pay.!

Sandy
Texarkana, Arkansas

They should remove things such as an anti-tobacco fund, and other rather stupid non economic ideas. More money should be put into the infrastructure package and we should be building roads and bridges now. Catapilars and heavy trucks should be on order and we should be moving and working.

Jack, I think that the economic stimulus bill should be assessed to see if it will provide the necessary jobs as soon as possible. That is the key element. Obama, I believe, has tried to provide a balance between tax cuts and bailout financing that some Republicans object to. It simply can't be all tax cuts as they would prefer because that won't guarantee any quick start-up. The trickle down theory won't work in these times as bolder action is imperative. At this point, Obama might be wise to take a cue from FDR and put into place someone who would co-ordinate and manage the flow of money to where it will do the most good. In this instance a look back to the past might be just the right course to take.

Changes? Put in funding for education and training for the unemployed, especially the chronically unemployed. Break the Catch-22 of the poor and lower middle-class of not being able to get a decdnt job without an education, but not having or being able to get the money to go to school. Forget the tax cuts for the rich and corporations that the GOP wants. Those tax cuts will stimulate the executive bonus packages and nothing else.

Jack,

The "Stimulus Bill" as presently formulated and communicated lacks accountability.

As a taxpayer who fronted the money, don't I have a right to know wqhere it was spent, how it was spent, that it was spent for the intended purpose and that it had the intended effect?

Did we learn nothing from the $800B Wall Street Bailout? Or, are our elected representatives just stupid and should be recalled immediately because of their lack of accountability?

Make the fat cats on Wall Street accountable for their actions. Make them only use the money they get to prop up existing line worker jobs and create new jobs. Do not allow anyone to receive bonus' this year.

The best change, would be for Washington to get behind this bill with confidence and optimism, rather than creating self-fulfilling prophecies of doom. I had sincerely hoped Rush Limbaugh was the only person so misguided and twisted as to wish for failure. This plan will work pretty good if Americans get together and make it work.

The stimulus package should be altered to include a provision for federal prosecution of anyone who accepts a bonus while employed by a "bailed out" entity. It is a despicable slap in the face to the American taxpayer that these greedy bastards think this is "ok".
It is further deplorable that Rudy Giuliani supports these bonuses.
Thank God his bid for the Presidency was soundly dismissed by rational thinking Americans.

How should the economic stimulus bill be changed?

Take out every single item "THEY/Republicans" wanted.

If they are going to act like spoiled children not getting their way, then they should be treated like spoiled children.

It is obvious that the Republicans care NOTHING for Americans.

Jenna
Roseville CA

This is the hardest question I can imagine. This country has never seen this type of financial mess and with several of the pork items, like stop smoking, there is no real get people back to work. I would hate to say it but they really need to go back to the drawing board because the only thing that will happen with the current bill is the country will spiral into a worst abyss.

Jack, people do not need a stimulus package, what we need job security. If you are worried about loosing your job or out of work, you are not spending money.

they should give all the money to CEO,s and the top 1% .Just ask Rush or Bill O'Rilley they deserve it blue collars do not

This bill should be passed and signed with No Republican input whatsoever. The American people have lived with the Republican ideas for 8 years. They did not work and got us to where we are now. Enough! We voted to do it the Democratic way. Would Washington please pay attention for a Change?

For starters, two things immediately come to mind:

First, I don't mean to sound mean spirited, racist, or unfair, but it's time to make the Indian (Native American) casinos start paying taxes. I know they are on sovereign lands by treaty, but times call for some change to the arrangement. Taxpayers pay for things keep those casinos running, like infrastructure and defense, so the casinos need to share the cost.

Second, include a repeal of the prohibition of Hemp cultivation as part of the new "green economy". I'm not talking about Marijuana (which is a very distant cousin), I'm talking about agricultural Hemp which has so little cannibinoid that it's almost undetectable and can't be abused as a drug. Hemp will grow almost anywhere in almost any climate. Additionally, Hemp crops can be grown on Indian reservations to serve as an additional source of self-sufficiency so that they are not dependent on gaming (or the other option, welfare). Most importantly, there are so many eco-friendly products that can be made from Hemp. Many new jobs would also be created in the manufacturing sector.

Roland
St. George, UT

Instead of asking the question "What should we spend this on?", we should ask "What do we invest in?". The focus on this stimulus should be programs that not only benefit the populace, but at minimum return the initial investment back to the government over time.

Using that thought, most of the money should go to education and individual small businesses. But most small businessmen or teachers don't go to the same country club as some of our congress-folks. So I don't expect that to happen.

I'm no genius, but here are just a few suggestions. Provide interest-free, government-insured loans to small businesses and potential home-buyers and provide both with grants for those areas especially hard hit by layoffs and business closures. Restructure all current mortgages for home-owners (not speculators or for rental properties) to reduce interest paid to 2%. Suspend property taxes on the first $200,000.00 assessed value and use stimulus money to make up the difference to the states and local communities. Provide interest-free loans to states to fund improvements on infrastructure and provide for essential services that would otherwise be cut. Provide interest free loans to businesses for "green" improvements of facilities. Provide huge tax incentives for consumers to purchase US-made durable goods like autos, refrigerators, and the like. Penalize the hell out of businesses that send American jobs overseas. Place high tariffs on goods produced in countries that abuse their workers and pollute the Earth. And there are plenty more ideas where these came from if anybody cares to ask.

Have each governor submit a to-do list and require that every dollar spent be documented. Then make that information public. Fix the infrastructure. Any further delay will cost more to fix when the systems fail.....the crumbling schools, bridges, dams, and how about mass transit? I lived through the great depression and I know it won"t take 2 years to start. ......good grief this is a crises.

The deficit is going up everyday and you can't keep changing the economic stimulous bill everyday and expect it to stimulate the economy. I'd rather see the bill pass as is with later modifications or addendums if necessary and stop the madness.

Jack, I am sorry, but with so many people out of work, I can't stop thinking of Wall St. and their $18 billion in bonuses. President Obama or someone should make them pay back $18 billion in bailout money.

Bipartisan to a republican means do it our way or your not patriotic. Remember it was a republican administration and congress for six years that got us into this mess by deregulation and not paying attention to the wrongness of mortgage brokers, bond rating institutons and corporate America. I'd say make no changes to the recovery plan and let the do nothing congressional obstructionists pout while they continue to dig their own grave.

Bob Thomson – Southfield, MI

I think there should be more money spent on infastructure. I think the Republicans just want to get their names on the news. I hope the voters remember who voted no to the stimulus when their reelection comes around. I don't agree with everything in it, but at least the Dems are doing something to help the lower income people not depending on trickle down economics like Hoover, Reagan and the Bushes. It seems everytime we have a Republican president the economy goes to hell.

Our country is already bankrupt, bush and the rethuglicans took care of that! Why wasn't this much scrutiny given to the bailout that bailed out wall street and bush cronies! Obama has this c ountries best interests at heart, all the rethuglicans care about is the rich, I say let's try things his way for a change.

I agree there should be less spending on things that don't directly create jobs. 50 million for the national mall. 350 million for birth control and sexual education. However, we're talking about WAY less than half a percent of the total bill.

Instead, I wish Democrats would push this a little harder. For example, they could point out that the only alternative Republicans have proposed – mere tax cuts – don't help. They don't help because people are not spending, not because they don't take home enough pay, but because they are worried they are going to lose their jobs or because they have lost their jobs. And business are laying people off and going out of business, not because of high taxes, but because people aren't spending. People won't spend more until they feel secure in their jobs and businesses won't stop layoffs or start hiring until they've had a few solid quarters of people buying their stuff. The solution is to make sure people are put to work. And we learned from the bailout that putting money in the hands of the private industry doesn't get them to hire people. The only way to make sure people are hired and put to work is to hire them yourself, and this is exactly what the parts of the stimulus other than the tax cuts do.

Democrats could also point out that Republicans are only too happy to authorize 500 billion dollars to rebuild Iraq with no idea where much of it went, but aren't willing to spend even that much (they say their plan will cost less than 500 billion) to help their own country.

Country first, indeed.

The R's will not approve of any bill that the D's put out. They want more years to mess up the country more and they aim to do it by being obstructive. I think Obama should ignore them and do what is needed. Any time he tries to put a hand out to them, they bite it.

No pork, tax cuts for the middle class, not the wealthy and infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure. Get people to work refurbishing the American that has gone to pot over the past five or six decades. We have ignored it as long as we can and it needs major work.

A better question is "Do you know what is in the stimulus package?" If not, Shouldn't you?

Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas

The solution is clear. The stimulus package should be reduced by $20 billion. Taxpayers should not pay for Wall Street bonuses after these very bonuses went to the folks who failed at their jobs and created the recession for the rest of us in the first place.

Ryan A – Toronto, ON

With all of the great minds this country has, I find it hard to believe that we can't get this country out of its economic mess. Sure it took some time to get into this posiiton, but make it work and fast. Concentrate on keeping people housed and working. Get rid of the pork. Why is it so difficult?
Oh yeah, and bye bye Blago!

Stop the fear tacticsand politics! Absolutely NO pork allowed. Before getting stimulus money all current executives must be replaced. All executive salaries to be reduced to no more than the president of the USA makes and receive no benefits no also received by their employees. Reduce the number of overall executives. No bonuses!!!! Keep jobs in the USA!!!!!! What about some trickle up stimulus??

Cancel the whole thing!!

Give everyone who has filed income taxes a REAL stimulus check....how far will a check for $1000 go for a family??/ Maybe a tank of heating oil...I say give $25000 -$50000 to each taxpayer. They will be able to catch up on mortgages, buy a car and other consumer products that would stimulate business. Wall Street and failed banks are not putting the money they got to anything that seems to improve anything!! The auto industry should be bailed out by the oil companies...Did you see the profit figures for the last quarter for Exxon/Mobil??? As long as we keep producing cars that need gas....the oil companies should keep the automakers going since this is where most consumption of oil products goes.

Jack First the plan should not give any money to any state that has a republican senator,then maybe they will wake up to the fact that they are not the majority.Amazing when they were the majority they didn't care how the money was wasted or if they included the dems in the process.Ron in AR

Jack:
Jackie in Dallas has the right ideas! She should go to Washington and get these politicians on the right track!

So, the big wigs on Wall Street say 'if you don't pay good salaries and a big bonus the employees will leave...' So, let them leave – I hear every day about how difficult it is to find a full-time job that pays well!
Hold the door open for those employees that want the Big Bucks/Big Bonus while the company is losing money and the taxpayers are supporting their income and bonus. Greed, Greed, Greed!

Hello Jack,
Let's review the last eight years. We had huge tax cuts for 1-2% of the population, tax breaks and tax holes for corporations and we have given oil companies billions in so-called royalty relief. We are hemmoraghing life and treasure in Iraq

Jack, I think the elected officials should somehow enact an economic plan to have tax dollars given BACK to the Goverment and the American people, like the 350 billion and the 1 million dollars gifts that were given out. That would help stimulate the economy. What a change! By the way, what happened to that money,? Where is it? Did it just vanish into thin air?

Why fix what ain't broken? Let's give this thing a shot: things can't get much worse.

Hey Jack,
I wonder how many of those 300 economists recommend handing out $700B so fast that we don't know where all of it went? Sen. Wicker and the Republicans are acting that they did not just get done helping Bush ruin this country financially, they need to SIT DOWN and SHUT UP!

Wrong question again, Jack.The president's comments about the bonuses paid with bailout money amounts to nothing more than political theatrics.Go back to his historic campaign.Each time Clinton said she did not vote for the war and that Bush abused the authority given to him,Obama countered with 'You voted for the war!' .Well using that same logic,Obama voted for the bonuses,because he voted to give the money to Wall Street and like Clinton's vote on the war,did not read the legislation enough to prevent the money from being used in this manner.Your question should be "Why did Obama not ensure the bailout money could not be used for bonuses,planes,etc at the time the legislation was being voted on?"

I live in a very rural community that can not afford pot hole fixes or equipment for our fire department. Why dont we make 70% of the package infrastructure? No gardens or amusement type projects. I am sure we could spend 800 billion just repairing every school, road, bridge in the US.
If I get a tax reduction – I will just pay off debt which will not do much to crate jobs!

Cut out the pork, when will these damn politicians ever learn that the American people are sick and tired of them putting pork in ever bill that they pass. Can't they look after the people just once.

Remove more pork from the stimulus. Also push more of stimulus activity into "09" and early "10"

Other than the stimulus for smokers which wont work ,nothing!

Add to the infrastructure portion, badly needed - leave some shovel ready including sodding the Monument - how many people will that keep busy until they can get into construction - seems reasonable to me -
Roll back Bush's tax cuts on wealthy they can start paying their share again only getting high on the power anyway. Enough is being thrown at the wealthy and they don't seem to know how to do anything but take - let's back off and let the middle class start to balance out the picture and I think we will find that all will benefit.

Hey Jack,
Great question. Here's what I would change. 1% interest rate on homeloans for everyone for 5yrs whether or not you are in forclosure. 1% interest rate for student loans. Money for rebuilding Detroit and New Orleans, mandates on Auto industry forcing them to make hybrid cars only if they want free money. No golden parachutes! Bring jobs back to US lower exports, increase imports, more money for highways, bridges and levies. Finally, 30% of all government contracts to go to minorities. Minorities have been out of work longer and are hurting the hardest.

The Democrats were kinda stupid when they drafted this bill. Yes, it contains stimulus plans and regardless of the complaint that it's not, necessarily, fast enough, it is still a reasonable attempt to fix the economy. It also has tax cuts that will act quickly – which the Republicans seem the glaze over. But the third section is all this pork that the Democrats don't need to pass it that has a lot of projects that could, possibly, be beneficial for the economy in the long run and are good ideas in general (IMO), but don't address the crisis, are partisan, and could be dealt with in a separate bill about Democratic policies. This way, it looks like they're trying to sneak in a bunch of their belief system disguised as an attempt to repair the economy. If they'd just left it to a combination of both Supply and Demand side economics, said to the Republicans "listen, we believe in Demand Side/Keynesian economics, you believe in Supply side economics, we're not going to agree on this but we acknowledge that your theories might help just as our theories might help. Here's a bill that has a merger of our two beliefs and while you might disagree with our beliefs, are you at least willing to try our ideas as much as we're willing to try yours in an attempt to find a solution to this crisis that no one knows how to fix?" Democrats could've won this round with their eyes closed doing exactly what Limbaugh is taking credit for right now and they could've done it right from the get go and probably gotten some bipartisan support.

Obama should be furious at Reid and Pelosi right now – they're about to spoil his inaugural big-ticket legislation re: bipartisanship by basically poking the Republicans

Stimulus already changed heard Republicans put in a $90 Billion tax reduction. All about Republicans and their rich lobbyist friends has been for generations, not about middle working class.

Why give $500 or $ 1000 to individuals and families to spend when they are the most likely people to be in debt , have no savings or both. Shouldnt the recipients be encouraged by the Govt to use that money to pay debt or to start a savings plan? To encourage spending is the height of irresponsibility. Why not raise the yearly gift tax limits so people with money, many of whom will pass their money tax free a on death anyway , can give their money to their kids or other relatives now, when the country needs spending? Those recipients may actually buy a car , house, furniture or other major item with that money. For those whose estates would be taxed at death, the cost to the Treasury would likely be an actuarial nightmare to calculate, but would impact , revenue wise, decades of years, not just one or two since the loss in estate tax revenue would have to based on some anticipated year of death. Of course, who could be in favor of the rich getting a break, no matter the sense it makes.

Jack,
Spread that $850+ Billion among everyone whose income is below $200,000. Let those who earn above that figure fend for themselves.
They should learn what it means to live on lines at soup kitchens.

Jack:

I think there is a lot of room for both sides to give and take. I believe more should be going toward infrastructure by subtracting some from other parts of the bill. More tax breaks for small businesses is possible but in a phased in approach contingent on how those businesses add more jobs and pay a living wage. Big business should get NO MORE breaks. They've broken all of us for too long.

Postive stimulus change leave the Republicans out of it, period!

After listening to CNN's Ali Velshi and some other informed economists who state reducing taxes on the higher income people won't stimulate anything as these people will just put it in the bank until they feel the economy has recovered.

Therefore delete anything in the bill that comes close to anything suggested by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity as they are the brain trust for the GOP and the face of their party.

Then go with what is left in the bill as Ali says no one knows for certain what the outcome will be but everyone knows something has to be tried to get America out of the Bushes.

I agree there have to be some changes in the stimulus package. But my question to the republicans is this – you say you have a better plan and can create more jobs – John Kyl said 6 million jobs – where have you been for the last 8 years? It's time to sit down and work together I'm sick to death of all this petty squabbling. Jackie, Bergholz Ohio

Dear Jack,

it was clearly stated by the President that this recovery and reinvestment plan is only one part of the solution...since we need reforms in the financial system, mentality change from Wall Street regarding Bonuses paid from taxpayers money, transparency from Government and fixing the homeforeclosure crisis! The Task Force for the middle class will help to bring policies to help lower income earners climb up and bring back the lost middle class that has been slipping at becoming a lower income earner!

I would welcome republican changes when they start learning why they have failed for the past eight years since we have not even heard from any of them express outrage for the executive bonuses paid from taxpayers money!

First: No money to Wall Street
Second: Money to bank with a stipulation to start lending and refinancing those bad loans (Must have total transparency as to how they conduct business transactions)
Third: All those who received the first $350 billion dollars must disclose full transparency of how they spent that money and if they refuse the courts need to get the money back or the government must take over that business
Forth: Anyone who has received any money from the first $350 billion dollars can not receive anymore money

Specific provisions should be added to the bill stating that other than stimulus money going directly to individual taxpayers all other expenditures can only be made after the projects have been bid to multiple companies, performance contracts have been agreed to, and progress goals have been met. Under no circumstances should money be paid out blindly like it was in Iraq.

It doesn't matter what you put in or take out, there will always be someone complaining. Can't please all the people all the time..as long as there is transparancy and accountability i don't care. just get it going..

Forget any more tax cuts for the fat cats. How about putting something in there that says any money spent must be for jobs and workers in this country only.
Auto bailouts should mandate the closing of any plant outside of The United States and that those jobs be returned to this country.
Protectionism it may be but it's time to look out for ourselves.

Dear Jack,
Why should Congress and President Obama not recognise that the recession is very serious for North America, to become isolationist will only hurt relations with Canada. Do they not know how much oil, natural gas and electricity is provided by Canada. Canada will not be protecionist because we understand how both our economies are linked. What would happen if Canada cut off electricity, oil and natural gas to the US, Congress should rethink and include all of North America in their plan.

Anything republicans want should be eliminated. In the last 8 years Bush has doubled the debt to $10 trillion, the republicans added a new definition to wreckless spending. Purchase books and build schools. If republicans want war, those in Congress should serve rather than sending others.

This should not be changed according with the same ideas that took us to this place in the first place due to the ideas of the Republican party which they try and claim as converative. Tax cuts for the very rich made everything else we buy or use go sky high. This is one of the reasons we are now where we are. I think Obama is on the right track. Under Bush, we have already had a rubber stamp congress for more than eight years and now we need to help with this change under Obama.

cut out the prk in this bill but give it a chance to see how it works

Instead of bundling every pet project into a giant stimulus package, split it into much smaller packages and let the representatives vote on them separately. Then, ones that pass with 2/3 or 3/4 approvals would be sent to the senate and on for presendential signature. By continually adding more pet projects just to win a handful of additional votes, far too much pork ends up in the final package. I think any project should be able to satisfy: (1) Does it add American jobs in the near term? (2) Does it have a potential 10X payback over the next 10 years?

Let's up the infrastructure spending to at least 6-700 billion. Put another 100 billion on the 275 billion in tax cuts.This will create jobs now, and well into the forseeable future. Of course I feel other funds should be trimmed down on the bill and placed into other spending areas....... Also we need to increase spending on updating our broadband in the U.S. I was surprised to learn that there are places in our country that don't have internet access.

Scrape the bill, send the the top dogs at the banks, Freddy Mac & May, Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, those responsible for the market collaspe to jail for a long long time. Reduce Corp Taxes to bring back manuf to America. Reduce Captial gains to induce investment.

Watch jobs increase, watch the econony grow.

Jack I think that what would stimulate spending would be to give the money to the tax payers that actually spend it. We could pay our bills and maybe even buy a new car or a new house which would be putting the money out there instead of putting i directly into the banks which took my home in the first place. My husband and I went to visit family and came home and the locks on our home had been changed. We were not even given due process of telling us how many days or weeks we had to leave. We recoeved that information at our new address. Thank God for family that helped us with a place to go!!

Jack,
The only way the proposed stimulus package will work is if they give the money directly to the people.The recipients of past payouts have proven to be unscrupulous, irresponsible, and downright greedy (which is the underlying cause of this crisis.) They have thumbed their collective noses at the government, and the people who will ultimately shoulder the burden of this debt by portioning the money out amongst themselves with the realization that when the smoke clears, there is nothing the government can do, and that their new found wealth is untouchable and available for their families' comfort and security. Seems like every time the government gets involved in financial matters, the rich get richer on the backs of the poor. I'm not just financially broke at this point, I'm mentally bankrupt as well.
I give up! It's time for another revolution!
Jeff,
Ashburnham, Massachusetts

Just add another $50bln to the price tag

Get rid of the UN-STIMULUS earmarks that certain self-interest House members have entered. $$$$$ for the Arts, Birth Control, Climate change, student loans,etc etc, have absolutely nothing to do with getting the millions of jobless Americans back to work, if there are not enough people working and spending, then we be no decent economy to speak of in the near future. Tax cuts are fine but whats important is getting people back to being employed again asap AND 100% of the Stumulus package should be for creating jobs in 6mos, helping the unemployed with benefits extension, and tax cuts for the middle-class PLUS $$$$ alloted to all states for their infrastructure.

No brainer, Jack. Add a trillion more in spending and ram it down the Republicans' throats. This is our time.

Dear Jack, I will say this loud and clear; NOT ONE IOTA!

Plain & Simple..........get rid of the PORK....

I find it interesting how the republicans are all up in arms over the stimulus package that would help the economy and the average american but they are very silent on the bailout which bailed out wall street and we find now was deeply abused. Where is there outcry against this??????

It appears quite obvious that Obama and his congressional democrat cronies are gonna shove all the ___ down our throats as they please for the next four years. It also appears obvious that they have no interest in American (peoples) interests. Remember 1776?

i agree with ray smith "January 30th, 2009 4:11 pm ET

Instead of bundling every pet project into a giant stimulus package, split it into much smaller packages and let the representatives vote on them separately. Then, ones that pass with 2/3 or 3/4 approvals would be sent to the senate and on for presendential signature. By continually adding more pet projects just to win a handful of additional votes, far too much pork ends up in the final package. "

I am Democrat. WHERE there is PORK ... DUMP IT

....and IF THE STUFF IN THERE IS NOT GOING TO ACTUALLY FIX THE COUNTRY ECONOMICALLY OR WORK IN THAT DIRECTION..DUMP IT!

More infrustructure, more education, and more healthcare!

Anyone that is a Republican should receive NO tax cuts whatsoever. Dubya and the rest of his cronies are the ones that got us in this mess to begin with.

sometimes it's better to let the fire burn it's self out then rebuild, to throw good money after bad just doesn;t make sense.

It is simple Jack. Instead of bailing out the big guys, pay off all the mortgages in the country. It will help the little guy and the banks.

Maybe the stimulus package should not be changed and maybe it should but we can never know until President Obama releases specifics to the Congress, the news media, and the American public who will be paying the bill. Unlike the first Bailout for the super-rich, which was just a trillion dollars thrown away, we deserve to know where every dollar of this package is going.
Brownwood, Texas

The stimulus bill should be changed so that we absorb Iceland as a U.S National Territory. Ever since their government collapse, they could use the support, and we could use their near limitless resources at sea. Sound like a radical idea? What do you think we are in need of in times like this?

Give it to Lou Dobbs and let him line item veto all of the pork.
Two hundred million for the National Mall (Have we lost our minds). Thank God someone was smart enough to remove that one!!!

Take away the Tax cut. What different doest it makes they will not vote for it anyway

The big corporations and CEOs that want this money (again) should have to go out everyday with a shovel and dig a 10 foot hole. If the rest of Americans have to work for our money, then they should have to work for theirs. Maybe those bonuses would be worth something then.

all that money could easily let the government give every legal citizen over 18 years old a million dollars, taxed at 15% with and additional 5% for education, now everyone is paying debt, starting businesses and creating jobs I don't see what's so hard about it

How about 6 months of pay roll taxes not to be taken from peoples pay checks?!

"Pork" is a vague description. It could be a very needed bridge repair in my state, and that wouldn't be considered "pork" by me. But to an outsider, it might. I think the states should get money for shovel-ready projects which could create jobs immediately. School repairs, roads, rail, etc. There should be tons of monitoring and accountability, so that we can see where all the dollars are being spent. This part of the plan should be put in effect immediately. The next step would be to decide on the tax breaks and incentives. Handing everyone a relatively small amount of money (less than $1000) is a waste because it does nothing for the long term. We'd spend it or save it and then what?...... Thnik INFRASTRUCTURE and jobs!

More construction jobs!

Jack–
Split that money up and give whatever that amount is to every American taxpayer. I have no idea how much that would be, but if you want to stimulate the economy, let us pay off our debts and have money to spend. That would stimulate the economy in my opinion.

Troy, Ohio

Take Pelosi's STD Prevention plan out of the bill how is that going to help the Economy and they all need to vote themselves a 50% pay Cut

Ignore Republicans–put back the items that were removed to appease them, cut the tax cuts, and raise taxes on the wealthy–also, adopt federal usury laws aimed at the credit card companies and demand all bonus monies paid for by taxpayers be returned to the US Treasury right away. Republicans are trying to have their cake and eat it too–we are not stupid. Obama has bent over backwards and in so doing shown us who is to blame for the lack of bipartisanship–the Repulicans. Here's hoping their idiotic behavior gets them all voted out of office in the 2010 elections (congressmen).

They need to make sure that E-verify is part of the plan. Jobs and assistance need to go to American citizens.

They need to put a stipulation in it that not one stimulus dime goes to any business, person, or agency that is not operating in the black. We've given way too much to folks that think red ink is OK.

I am a democrat and I voted for Obama, but I can't support his stimulus bill. It's full of expenditures that are earmarks in disguise. The expenditures in this plan are not well explained or justified as to how each type will stimulate the economy and get help to the people who are hurting now. I am totally in support of the republicans who are voting against this bill. Start over!

The republicans have just nominated and african american to lead their party. I guess now they think that they are going to win the black vote. Im so tired of their gimmicks and schemes it's getting old first sarah palin now this. If this is Pres. Obamas' competeting as a african american women im going to push harder for Obama to succeed.

stacey e.

The bill should have a lot more money to be spent on infrastructure and the national mall. The government has ignored so many important things over the years that we now are a third-world nation. Spend our tax money on us and stop giving it away to campaign contributors.

If the politicians truely want to "stop the bleeding" and "save american jobs", why wouldn't they do a tax holiday on domestic products? Not only would people be more likely to buy American products, but those companies would have more capital to employ more people. It seems like everyone would win.

For eight years the Republicans ignored the Democrats, gave tax cuts to the rich, deregulated banking and finance, but now they want to have a say or they will not cooperate....unless they get their way, yes, that's exactly the way to care about Americans. You've proven which American's you want to help and we (of the middle class) understand that you don't want anything to change.

Because nothing the Democrats add is going to bring Republicans on board, I'd suggest they amend the bill to eliminate tax cuts for those with income, earned or unearned, in excess of 250 thousand dollars.

The monies those cuts would have represented should be added to rebuilding the infrastructure.

The Republicans are a bunch of whiners. They will do anything to try to have their way. As long as they argue and put things off, they can try to blame Obama. No matter what they say–it is a political stunt. Just like Palin at the Alfalfa dinner–why isn't she in Alaska helping her people to get ready for the big volcano eruption. Leave the bill as it is, with added measures to keep things like bonuses from happening. Get it passed!

The simulus bill needs to be bigger! We need more than just $90 Bill. allocated to infrastructure improvements, and less devoted to medicare, medicaid, and welfare. entitlements.

Hi Jack!
The bill should be changed back to the original package! The Republicans did not vote for the changes so Pres. Obama should take out those changes.

The Voting in of Mr. Steele - hmmmm....to me seems like a "SARAH PALIN" move!
They pick people to stir things. Not the duty of of Senate/congress.
Jaclyn

the best solution is just to mail a check for 30k to taxpayers! end of discussion

Modify the bill so that 50% is infrastructure, 25% Food Stamps and Unemployment Benefits, 25% Middle Class Payroll Tax Cuts. Period. Toss everything else out.

The Republicans are running a game on Obama. They say, "Give us more tax cuts and we can support you." He gives them more tax cuts. Then they don't support him. Obama should rescind those tax cuts and put the money back on infrastructure, where it was to start out with. The Republicans are acting like a girl who says "I will sleep with you if you buy me a mink coat"-takes the coat-then acts like an insulted virgin and goes home mad.

Let's quit messing around. Issue a grant for 11 trillion as $100,000 per household in cash right now. Forget the tax cuts and all that stuff
In one fell seoop, the financial crisis will be over. Then, police the folks who would try to gouge the populace.

the bill should drop all tax cuts for the wealthy and add more job creation monies to the states, President Obama won!!! the people spoke no more republicain obstructions/ and division republicans are the party of hate

How should the stimulus bill be changed?
With a paper shredder.

I'll be, the Republicans did it again. John McCain attempted to dethrone the O'Bama express by picking Palin and now the whole damn bunch has picked the first and probably the last African-American to lead them. They just don't get it!!!!

Doug
Orange County, Ca

It was mentioned today that part of the stimulus will go to a program to stop smoking, come on, what about the millions who are addicted to the drugs. Maybe if we spend some stimulus and getting those who are unable to work off the streets, get them out of the crime scene and stop stealing from those of us who do work we could get some more tax dollars coming in and not going out. Cigarette smoking, legal, government promotes it, why are we spending money to help stop it?

The Buy American Rider should be revised or removed. Especially for nations like Canada where our economies are so dependant on each other.

I think the Republicans want to distract from the problem they took us to in the first place with their ideas as they try and claim the name of conservative. When tax cuts are given as they have been in the past everything else we buy has to go up. This is why the middle class is dwindling and the poor is getting poorer.

There is nothing that Obama can due as they will do what they always have done even thought they had a rubber stamp congress for eight years. It is hard to lose. These Republicans need to stop acting like children and start helping with all the people not just the very rich. They don’t seem to get it that people are having a hard time.

Jack,

The most important change I believe would be a condition that any comany that has exported American jobs would be exempt from contracts under the plan. I also believe bridge and road repair should be a priority. I have a question, however, for the Republicans opposed to the plan...Where was your outrage when the $700 Billion was given to financial institutions with no strings attached?

what stimulus plan? did you mean the democrat social disaster plan? what a joke Jack.

Stimulus bill should include:

(1) Investment in Roads, Buildings and relaxing credit availability for new home buyers. (2) Investment in Research and Development (3) Investment in education (4) Increase funds for Defence related industries including automobile (5) Increase social security for all retired 65 and above (6) Do not bail out homebuyers who bought homes they could not afford (7) Concentrate on middle class employment and tax (8) Invest in energy to free our country from dependence on Middleeast Oil (9) Communicate continously steps being taken to implement and execute programs to stimulate economy

All the provisions that were added to accommodate the minority party should be removed since they voted against the bipartisan efforts made by the Democrats. These clowns are clearly obstructionists to clearing up the mess that they orchestrated.

it should be made to create jobs and growth for many, not one penny of taxpayers money should be wasted, after all our grandchildren and their children will hav eto pay for it. john kentucky

Jack....the stimulus bill should be changed to 60% infrastuctue spending, 30% tax cuts fpr middle and low income persons and 10% spending for social programs. Nothing for the rich. They have gotten richer in the past eight years, while the poor have gotten poorer.

Immediate relief is needed to cool the flames of a potential depression. The best way to help U.S. workers is to suspend the Social Security (FICA) taxes for the rest of 2009. Each worker will get, in effect, a 7.65% savings in their take home pay; and business will save their portion, also 7.65%. Those not working and paying taxes will not benefit, nor will they lose anything. And the super rich who live on investments, etc. will also not get any benefit. The working man will finally be rewarded!

Jack,

The bill should be changed back to the original form. If Congressional Republicans don't want to compromise, maybe they'll get the idea if the Democrats just cram it down their throats. They could, you know.

The biil should be changed to eliminate the salaries of all the republican senators and congressmen.. They should be given tax cuts in lieu of actual money! Maybe then they will realize that tax cuts are a poor substitute for good governance, of which they have show little in the
last 8 years and appear to be uninterested in in the coming years.

Jack, I don't know how the stimulus package should be changed, but nothing will change if the congress and the senate doesn't start making some comprimises. No matter what the Republicans say they are doing their old obstructionist politics as usual. I predict they will pay in the next round of elections.

Jack, the stimulis bill should be changed to offer companies help if they bring back the jobs they shipped over seas. Of course that wouldn't please the party of just say no to everything for the common man. There seems to be 41 polyps in the Senate and a bunch more in the congress. They need to be removed and disected.

Simple, if the stimulus is so bad don't give any of it's benefits to Republicans. BTW get over being sore loosers!!

Stip out all the House concessions and then increase the tax refund from $1,000 per family to $116,000 per family. The "bottom" 90% of Americans deserve a "Bonus" just like Wall Street Fat Cats!

The Senate should remove _all_ of the "goodies" that were added to the House bill at the request of various Republicans. The GOP apparently needs to be reminded that it lost the 2008 elections, decisively, and they need to be shown that if their idea of "leadership" and "cooperation" is to vote in lock-step against reasonable compromise, their input need no longer be sought or taken into account. -JW (Rockville, MD)

HELL NO JACK!! President Obama reached out a hand and was willing to compromise, but as usual, the Republican leadership did nothing but "nickle and dime" everything and anything AFTER having created this mess by giving BIG tax breaks to the WEALTHY ON WALL STREET and NOW they want to complain? Tell them to roll up their sleeve and start shoveling their dump. Until they do, they have NO room to complain or point fingers. I say roll over them and let's get to work, they are either part of the solution, or they ARE the problem. Americans are SICK of their whining.

It should include an addendum to garnish the wages of the idiots on wall st. that blew OUR (the taxpayers) money when they received their "stimulus." Republicans did not hesitate to bail out those greedy people that got our economy in this situation in the first place but now its a "bad idea" to bail out those who are struggling and fitting the bill of people who are extremely well off! It's disgusting.

I want to ask why is the economic stimulus not heading directly to homeowners in this country. I saw the report recently describing how many homeowners are under water in there value of home. I came to a conclusion that why not give the 75 million homeowners in the country a check for 20 thousand dollars, this would cost 1.5 trillion dollars but imagine how useful this would be for the economy at large. The interest rates are low and this would allow for some homeowners to get under there value of home in order to sell or allow for properties to get fixed up to sell. This would seem to be a win-win opportunity for the credit crunch and free up the market for those thrifty Americans to pump money into the system. Again this would cost 1.5 trillion at 20 thousand for all 75 million homeowners and this seems more efficient than giving to banks and industries that keep this and then release employees. Thank You and would love to get some form of response on this topic! I believe that the people can manage this crisis away more than ideology that is not proven.

My uncle has a business that converts algae into biodiesel and their is more money in the bill for stop smoking programs than the government would give my uncle for his research they need to change some things.
algaeventure.com. Columbus, Ohio

I don't blame the Republican senate for opposing this so called stimulus bill. Apparently our socialist president Barack Hussein Obama wants to give Illegal aliens and people that don't pay taxes $500. That is a waste of money. The 75 million dollars to help smokers stop smoking. You will never get them to stop completely. If the Democrats are so intent on getting people to stop smoking, they should make nicotine an illegal drug. They won't do that because they will lose the money on tobacco tax. They aren't that concerned about stopping smoking completely.. I heard that Obama told the Republicans that he won. What an arrogant idiot. He only won because he bribed the illegal aliens and the poor with a $500 bribe. I believe in his first 100 days in office he will compete with Jimmy Carter as the worst president in history.

Strip out all the House concessions and then increase the tax refund from $1,000 per family to $116,000 per family. The "bottom" 90% of Americans deserve a "Bonus" just like Wall Street Fat Cats!

Hmm, all the Republican's want is more tax cuts, which didn't do crap in the eight years George W. Bush drove our nation into the worst financial disaster since The Great Depression. My solution, let the Democrats decide what to do, their "blank-check" counterparts blew their chance a couple years ago.

Jack, they should ensure in the stimulus, IF I understand what is going on properly, ensure that NO company who gets a bailout pays those kind of bonuses. It is theftry and a disgrace of people with no conscience such as AIG!

People will stay in their jobs with or without those huge bonuses because jobs are extremely difficult to come by. It is not fair! Obama should step in and stop them making those bonus payments and penalise who do!

The stimulus bill should change the terms of all monies sent to credit card companies such as Citigroup and Chase. After all, they have just raised my interest rates greater than 10 points (up to 21 percent) in order to "maintain profitability on (your) account." The stimulus bill should address credit card interest rates, make all rates no higher than 5 points above prime. I'm not spending money – I'm getting out of debt, which is hard to do at 21 percent. What is Citibank's interest rate on what they borrowed from me? My credit score is 760 – wonder what Citibank's score is?

Dump the pork. It doesn't serve the purpose for which the bill was intended and doesn't serve the stated will of our new President! President Obama needs to take a stance on this issue. Whether or not more or less tax cuts or spending is the best choice, including expenditures that are suspect to job creation is not the answer. Better to increase direct spending into infrastructure which is directly and immediately tied to jobs....and maybe I won’t keep losing my Mini in potholes.

To have only tax cuts and actual short term economic stimulus. None of the other longer term programs. Because athough they are important, they're not what we should be spending money on right now. Let's get away from the edge before we start trying to do the other things. Then you should be able to get more bipartisan support and hopefully not waste too much money. I mean this is government, some of it is going to get wasted. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of bills, government programs, and red tape, It's unavoidable.

The only change I would make is to take out the changes that were made to placate the Republicans. The Repubulicans weren't so concerned when the first payments were made to the banks and now the hypocrites whine!

How about adding some practical debt forgiveness of Federal student loans? Less money spent going to pay back student loans each money equals more money spent in commerce each month. Considering the President puts such emphasis on education you would think lowering interest rates on, or forgiving all together, student loans would be a welcome idea for pushing more hard earned money directly into the economy.

Well Jack, let's let the people that screwed it up in the first place write the Bill. If we keep on trying the same thing over and over it's bound to work sooner or later.

We should remove the line items that don't add jobs, but they should be replaced by repealing the tax cut for the top 2%. we just had a report that the CEOs of major companies took in $18 billion in bonuses last year. these are the people who benefit from this tax cut. we can increase the tax cut for the rest of us without adding any more debt to our children but repealing that tax cut and adding it to the stimulus bill.

Change Stimulus Package, Ha!

If anything, take 306 million dollars or so (whatever it takes) and provide each family with a million dollars. We'll get this economy going and you won't have to prod us. We will buy cars, houses, save a little bit. It don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure that out! Give us our tax money and forget Wall Street!. We'll even help them out! At least it would help the "middle class" survive after being taken for a ride by "WALL STREET."

No one had a problem with the Bailout for Wall Street, now it's time for the government to really to something for the middle class the Republicans want to cry. They are in large the reason we are in the situation we are in now!!!!

Forget the stimulus bill. Just lend billions (at a very low rate of interest)to each state and let them spend on the needed projects. All with transparency and oversite, of course. No big bonuses allowed. This will put people back to work and we the taxpaper can get paid back.
Linda in Columbus, In

Include an ammendment to limit terms and then maybe we can get some effective bi-partisan stimulus in the Congress.

Jack: I don't think it shouls be changed at all, as it's been changed to much to appease the GOP. Frankly, Republicans won't be satisfied with any package that comes from Obama or the Democrats. The only one who is really being bi-partisan is the president. I say, the GOP had its chance, let the Democrats take the helm. Historically, the economy usually does better under Democrats, despite what the Republicans would have you believe.

I think it should include the following: The Government replaces all of it's owned/leased vehicles. The vehicles would be driven individually to their destination. Drivers would be paid .75 per mile. This would not only be a big boost to the auto industry, drivers would be buying fuel, staying at motels, and eating at restaurants all over the country.

keep it simple....give $100,000 – $85,000 to each American family. That's 8 billion tops invest the rest in infrastructure.

Jack, This is all BS! There are liberal, Centrist and Right wing Republicans and not one of them voted for this bil, WHY???? Because it is too full of pork, it is not going to work and this is just anoth example in a very short period of time of the O-Biden plan for Socialism.....Jack try to be objective and call this what it is, try to be a reporter and not a mouth piece for stupidity.......

Help us Jack if you can otherwise find a new job because you are not helping with the "that party is just whinning" remarks.......Jack again today shame on you for not tellign the truth.......CSM-H

Considering the Republican track record on the economy for the past 8 years I would think the best way to change the current stimulus bill is to immediately alter anything in it that republicans agree with or like!

As an Obama supporter and long-standing Dem, I agree with the principle of the plan, but we MUST avoid the tendency to be smug. A lot of good programs have been tossed "into the soup" but have very little to do with creating jobs. Let us concentrate on using these funds wisely to get more folks back to work and allow fewer "perks" for the Wall street gang whose greed got us into this mess in the first place.

How about adding some practical debt forgiveness of Federal student loans? Less money spent going to pay back student loans each money equals more money spent in commerce each month. Considering the President puts such emphasis on education you would think lowering interest rates on, or forgiving all together, student loans would be a welcome idea for pushing more hard earned money directly into the economy.

I suspect the Republicans and Democrats would be able to come to a rapid agreement on this Stimulus package, if we were to quit paying them ,make them try and get unemployment from swamped unemployment offices, or food-stamps from an antiquated system.
The best change I can think of is pass a smaller bill right now, today or Monday, extending unemployment benefits, changing the food stamp system, get some help to the people NOW, then take a little time to look at the bigger picture, Who says this all has to be done in one swoop.

Take out money intended for the National Endowment for the Arts. How the heck is giving millions to this organization going to help put average Americans back to work. This clearly is an Obama pay back to his Hollywood cronies.

I'm a democrat and a hardcore Obama fan, but on this issue I agree with the GOP (for the first time). This bill can and should be improved by cutting out all projects that will not create or save jobs, keep people in their homes and restore our nations credit lines. There will be time to spend money on WORTHY projects that don't necissarily stimulate the economy, but that time is not now.
First let's get the ball bouncing again, then think about the small stuff.

Drop the intire Bill as its not a stimulas plan. Its a TOTALLY SINK our Economic Ship Plan by making the Hole bigger than the one in the S.S.Cole. One should know America is in trouble when Sec. Treasurer Geithner will meet with China in February to decide on Americas NEXT CURRANCY! Could that be the Amero, Jack? Jerry B. Soldotna, Alaska.

The bill should be reduced to address jobs, job training and support for those who have lost their jobs. We don't need measures for campaigns to stop smoking or any other social issue. It's counterproductive to the New Era of Responsibility, isn't it? I don't care about tax cuts. I don't care about project studies. I don't care about social issues. We've wasted enough taxpayer dollars on nonsense like that. I care only about Americans having jobs again. Period.

Stimulus Plan:

Given the fact that a $10,000 investment in the S& P stock market index would have grown to $11,733 if invested under Republican presidents only versus that same $10,000 yielding $300,671 under Democratic presidents only; all the failed Rightwing policies that Republicans have championed should be removed from the stimulus.

The tax cuts should be removed and the money redirected towards infrastructure. The family planning money should be restored as that STD training, unlike Bush’s folly in Iraq which has given aid and comfort to al-Qaeda, will actually protect American’s lives.

In order to stimulate production and ensure more emplyment in all sectors of the economy the stimulus bill should enact an "accelerated depreciation provision" whereby companies of all sizes can buy equiptment and expense it in one, two or three years instead of the 7 to 50 years as it is now.

This is an obvious no brainer and the brainless wonders of both oarties in Washington just don't get it, Amazing.

The amount being spent amounts to about 3000 a person– give that to all the people. For a family of four thats 12000. They can pay their bills, get caught up on their mortgage, spend it, etc. Everyone wins this way. What good would 500 do in the long term– one month of electricity bills? People arent spending because they either have the money or are worried about the future. Maybe if they had some sense of security they would spend. What good does all these programs do except waste a whole lot more.

They should cut everything and use the 800 billion to purchase a new Government to run this country the Right Way.

Go back to infrastructure building. Go back to what the economy needs. The last two weeks have been nothing but "What has Obama done wrong"! Go back in memory. Did GWB get treated this way? Did any recent President get such scrutiny? The Congress should get behind anything that helps drive the economy. Tax cuts don't do it. Remember the " stimulus" checks? What did they do? Tax cuts are no where big enough to " stimulate" the economy. Infusing cash into to the economy, not banks or insurance companies( read AIG) is what should be done.

kill the plan its a WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY

The Republicans in congress better realize that the new administration is working hard to get America out of a economic hole sponsored by the former president. The stimulus will not be cheap but neither is the deficit that the former administration put our country into. Not to mention the debacle of greed from financial institutions and their actions which have catapulted our ecomony into a recession that seems to be getting worse every day. Republicans must work with the new president to help Americans or their party will continue to be less and less effective. They have a new president and a new congress...they need to cooperative and work in the new direction that Americans demand and which is sponsored by our new president and his administration.

The Stimulus should be soley focused on Job Creation by funding infrastructure, Mortgage Help, Tax Cuts, College Tution Help and Renewal Energy Initiatives.

Can we please give Dr. Ron Paul some spotlight here? His knowledge in economics exactly what we need to pull us out of this mess.

As a left leaning Independant, I am disappointed in the Democrats for what appears to be excessive selective spending. While I can't quote all the different programs, I believe 50 million for the NEA, will not really generate any jobs. I believe more infrastructure projects would be the best way to spend for real improvements, that the country needs. Also any State or County governments that sit on the money to balance their budgets should have to repay the money. The same as I think, any Bank that gives large bonuses to to executives should have the money taken back from them.

The stimulus package should only include items that would increase jobs in the private industry as well as government if necessary It should include tax cuts. We need to cut our spending not increase it. We all need to tighten out belts. Giving me and my children and grandchildren more bills does not help us. Also there were democrats that did not vote for the bill in the house. Why are you not stating that at the same time you say no republicans voted for it. Tell all the truth!!!!

Jack, the answer to changing the stimulus bill is infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure. People need to get working again. There are some really bad recent signs that our national infrastructure is rapidly imploding, from levies (midwest floods) to energy power grids (winter storms) to bridges (Minnesota) to water mains (Washington, DC). Secondly, all tax cuts for the wealthy that Republicans have insisted upon should be eliminated from the stimulus bill as should the Bush tax cuts. It should be apparent to all Americans that tax cuts only benefit the wealthy as their aim of these cuts is regressive, more wealth for the wealthy. Let's stop doing business as usual.

Jack, this bill doesn't need to be changed......... it needs to be thrown away. This bill will just add onto the severe debt that we already poses. There is nothing in this bill that will be useful. We need to take a different approach to this crisis other than just borrowing money, pumping it into the economy and hoping that it will work. We need to try to take an approach that will cost us little to nothing.. like cutting taxes on the people who own the businesses as the Republicans suggest!

Deare Jack,

The stimulus plan should be changed by removing non-stimulus items. However, one persons pork is another persons need. While these politicians debate this premise, the economy is going to hell in a hand basket. They just need to get something done and quickly. Democrats goofed by adding the pork, Republicans are goofing by blocking the package as Americans go down the tube. Doing nothing is not an option. Nothing has changed in Washington- sadly politics still rule the day.

Howard Spencer

It makes no difference what question is put to the Republicans, the answer is always "Tax Cuts." The country voted overwhelmingly for change. The Republican ideas of the past administration led us to where we are. Tax cuts have no appeal to the thousands of aircraft workers in Wichita that received their layoff notices. They want jobs and the only thing the Republicans have to offer at this time is "Stomp their foot, temper tantrum, No."

I would like to see less tax cuts and more infrastructure projects put into this stimulus.

I don't think the package should be changed at all. The American people made a statement back in November that we didn't like the Republican's way of doing business. If we wanted their plan we would have voted John McCain into office. The GOP is doing everything they can to discredit President Obama. They need to join us in the 21st century.

Take out the useless tax cuts. It won't produce jobs, it won't improve our standard of living or quality of life.

Fakes,frauds and liars the whole bunch of them why its all of a sudden they have right anwser why didnt they use it when bush was in office. I know bush had them highjacked with his freemason agenda .there brains and thought pattern are fryed froms 8 years of fakes wars and propaganda and fake opimistic . The truth it will set you free but if your in denial keep believing the lies

Well, it certainly shouldnt be what the Republicans want. If the American people wanted all tax cuts, only tax cuts, taxes, taxes, taxes, we might have elected a Pubbie president and congress.

On the other hand, Nancy Pelosi's Liberal Dream List doesn't hit the people's mark (nor the President's either). Lets cut out things like 200 million for new grass on the National Mall or billions to make government buildings more energy efficient (read super luxury digs for the cabinet depts).

Let's focus more on job creation and less on what got us in trouble in the first place – overgenerous tax cuts and waste galore.

It has become very clear that money going to large business goes directly to CEOs ($18B) last year. Distribute the money amongst the middle/ working class of this country. Allowing Americans to spend as they see fit; ie, purchasing good and services, paying off credit. Give the golden parachute to us; not the CEOs. This will stimulate the economy without outrageous bonuses going to those who put us in this predicament.

Reinstate provisions the House GOP wanted removed and add a requirement that only congressional districts that voted for the bill receive the benefits of the bill. We must exclude those districts that voted "nay". Perhaps voters will give those Republicans the boot when they see the rest of the country getting new jobs.

Spread a large portion of the 800+ billion towards paying off people's debts. Transfer consumer/mortgage debt from banks to fed govt. People will still be required to pay off debts, but with significantly lower interest rates.

Now suddenly the republicans are interested in fiscal responsibility?
The trillion dollar stimulus package could've been paid for with all the money those dinosaurs spent in Iraq. So pony up boys and get on the bus.

Take everything that doesn't provide jobs like stop smoking, Arts, and such things out and use the money for all the roads, bridges and schools.

It should be kept pure as a driven snow.

No time for foolishness.

Just what good ideas for this bill do the Republicans have Jack? I hear a lot of whining, but see no real substance.

It seems to me that they can start by telling Wall Street that they have to give back the bonus money IMMEDIATELY and start bailing out the middle class OR give the TARP money back. They obviously don't need or deserve it from their latest actions!

Al
Allentown, PA

What Obama wants, Obama gets at this point. So really, just get on board already.

It really doesn't matter. The Republicans have already made up their minds to obstruct at every opportunity. The are deaf,dumb, and blind to what is going on in this country.
To make it pass in the Senate there should maybe be more tax cuts and less spending, but I'm just not sure anything will help. The Republicans have shown over the past 8 years that they don't have our best interests at heart so why would they change now.

i don't think we should give all that money to the arts and screw the big financial companies.if i had my way i would have everyone pull all the money from the investment companies and let those bastards walk around with 2 bucks in their pocket.

No bailout for those companies hiring all of China! These comapnies need to keep Americans employed even if it means offering them a smaller salary. Given the economic situation, many people would take a smaller salary than none at all!

STOP HIRING ALL OF CHINA!

Jack,

They need to cut the pork! Fix the problem at hand before pandering to various constituencies and special interest groups.

When a house is on fire you put all the water you have into putting that fire out. You don't go water people's lawns claiming it will prevent more fires by keeping the ground wet and replenishing the water table. You deal with the crisis and then work on preventative measures when the crisis has past.

How difficult is that?

Bill
Albuq. NM

First, put back the family planning aid. Birth control is outrageously expensive and not covered by health insurance. It just makes sense to make it feasible to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies, especially among those living in poverty. Which costs less, monthly birth control pills for a woman or welfare for her and her child?

Second, more money for infrastructure. Not only would it provide jobs, it also might preclude such disasters as broken levees, collapsed bridges, and statewide power outages.

A great improvement to the stimulus package would be to point out what will be stimulated and when. By all accounts most of this happens too late to be called a stimulus and is more or less new spending the president promised.

Jobs ,jobs, jobs. That should be the main purpose of this bill. Never repeat Republican tax cut mind set. Tax cuts for the small business and middle class will help. Zo in Illinois

They need to stop bailing out banks and corporations because the money ends up going into the pockets of super rich executives and CEO's anyway. They use public money for private interests, and the public has no control over it whatsoever. Nationalize all the banks, put workers in control, and eliminate the federal reserve. The money from the stimulus needs to be given directly into the pockets of the working class of America–those who work for a pay check, and build the economy from the bottom up. Institute a single-payer, universal health care program (health care costs were the #1 reason people filed for bankruptcy), institute cheap/free college tuition, better public education, and renewable energy resources especially solar and wind power. This will drive down personal debt, create more jobs, and bring more purchasing power to the people while having our money backed by wealth and not by debt.

-Marc J. Mancini
Pittsburgh, PA

Congress has a responsability to undo the damage caused by the Bush administration, but instead they are continuing to make the same old mistakes. If I were President, I'd listen to the republiccans and actually make changes based upon their thoughts and not just give lip service. Remeber, they do represent 50% of the people in the country. Obama seems to be doing only what he wants...isn't that the old Bush tactic and didn't we vote his party out of office because we were sick of that kind of empty leadership? Get rid of the pork from this spending bill. If congress wants to revisit it later, great, but not in this bill...that's not what the americans want. By the way, I am an independent and voted for Obama...only because he was the lesser of two evils.

The bill should have a “looters will be shot” clause.
But then we would need to spend the first billion on bullets.

Jack
First we should make sure that the money goes to people who pay taxes. I am not saying that the people who don't pay taxes don't need help but the bill should be for the people who contribute, not get "free" money. Second ax this money that is going towards the "arts". 50 million for that WOW!

More over sight of the money already spent. I think of AIG and the fat cats on wall street. I still find it funny that people are just now getting the idea that there is greed on wall street. Talk about people with there heads in the sand!

It should be about JOBS!!!! no more no less!

The democrats should just take out the tax cuts and replace them with short or long term infrastructure investment. Since they believe that spending is more effective than tax cuts. Then pass it with little or no republican votes and then take all the credit when the economy comes back.They should put more money for food stamps as well since food stamps create the most stimulus per dollar.

We have just had an eight year experiment that proves once again that the Republican "steal from the poor to give to the rich" brand of economics doesn't work (300 anonymous "economists" aside). Obama has put together one of the best team of economists that the world has ever seen - any changes should come from them. The "trickle down" nonsense needs to be put out of its misery.

Jim, Craig, CO

No, it should stay as it is. It is designed to help a large number of people across the board. There are some tax cuts in the package for the republicans. They should be happy for that since they are the minority, but they are so greedy that they would like to take out the programs that some of us feel that is valuable for us.

1)First & Foremost the American People should benefit.
2)Federal prosecutors should spend the money to file CRIMINAL charges against all the crooked mortgage companies that hurt American homeowners
3) Any CEO That takes a bonus should have to PAY FOR IN FULL at least 10-20 homeowners or arrange for manageable loans or carry the mortgage for taking any bonus.
And while we just witnesses major pandering by the Republicans in who they elected their leader, I can honestly say I have zero respect for Steele for taking the position....he is there ONLY because he is black and everyone knows it.

Hey, Jack, the stimulus package should remain the same. Since the Republicans will vote against the stimulus package, ask them this question:

If the stimulus package is not changed, and all of you vote against it, would you have the guts to forego any dollars to your disitrict?

Re: Stimulus plan: take out everything that is not stimulative to the economy. Maybe the Republicans are not being obstructionist, maybe this is a bad bill. I am for the plan if it does what it is advertised to do. But it looks more to me as if this bill has given Nancy Pelosi and the democrats the opportunity to load it down with their vision of a "new world order". Like a smart man said, "A trillion dollars is a terrible thing to waste." Stimulus, yes, pork, no!

Currently there are too many people (democrats) happy with the stimulus. History has shown that the best spending measures are ones that everyone in congress can complain about. There needs to be more in the stimulus to anger democrats. The President is absolutely right to court Rebulican ideas.

Jack its simple, they need to take the pork out and save it for another time. They should replace the pork with more projects that will actually deliver jobs. One last thing no more tax cuts in the bill because I as a middle class American will just save the money, not spend it!

They should take all of the tax cuts out of the package. It has been proven that they don't work. Look how much we wasted last time W gave them away. They did nothing but help pay for the high price of gas, high interest loans, and credit cards. If the republicans want to pout and play politics as usual then they shouldn't even be consulted about anything else until they grow up. They are an embarassment to this country when they act like whiny little spoiled brats. They lost their power because they wasted money on making the rich richer and the poor and middle class poorer. They have no right to an opinion at this point. They must earn back any respect they feel that they deserve.

I am from El Paso Texas and to get the Bill through with some semblance of Bipartinship some of the non stimulus items should be removed and saved for a later date. It should not increase tax breaks to the wealthy which is the constant dialougue of the Republicans. The attitude of the Republicans in this congress is unconcionable and they should be held accountable. It is not whether the stimulus will work, no one really knows that, it is their continuing attitude that they don't care about the majority of people in this country but are caught up in a power struggle over ideology, which has been shown to be a failure. They may make their point now and if the package fails, gleefully say I told you so, but without any plans except sitting on their hands they have again, given the people of this country a reason to start an independent party that holds true values for all the people and not the narrow goals of the rich and powerful.

The GOP can NOT seem to unclench their partisan fists, think about the cowboy politics message that has sent to the entire world.
GOP tax cuts have never worked, their ideology led to Wall Street Gone Wild, 2 unending wars, and an economic crisis that has strangled the middle class. Clearly they need to get a NEW dogma, one that works FOR the people.
So what I want to see done is every single pandering item to the Republicans stripped from the bill, lose the tax cuts, put that money completely in to infrastructure which is 50 years in neglect anyway and gives us a tangible and measurable result, unlike tax cuts.

Those districts/states who's representatives keep their fists clenched, refuse to work as a team with Obama, vote NO to send the message that I received as a nothing more than a continued clenched fist.... then those districts/states should not get a dime of our tax dollars when the Democrats are forced to go this alone.

There are approximately 200 million adults in this country, and I think the tax payers should get 1 million dollars each. They could pay off their homes and the banks would have money. Pay off their credit cards and they would have money. Pay off their vehicles or maybe buy new ones.
People would have money in savings and be able to spend money and bind their time while they wait for a new job or start their own business.
This would get the economy moving and help everyone, and only cost $200. million instead of billions and trillions. This is so simple, I would love to be able to talk to the president and ask him why not give it to the people who need it the most. They won't go out and by a private jet from France. Jack get the word out, this makes more sense!

Throw out all the provisions that were added to appease the "spoiled brat" Republications.

Increase the stimulus for all Senior citizens to $1000, Those of us who have no savings and must use all our monthly check on basics need more than $300 to get our cars repaired etc.

We certainly cannot ever afford to purchase a new car, we can barely afford to fix the old one we presently drive. Mine is 14 years old and I live ten miles from the nearest food store. If I can't keep my old clunker repaired, the long walk is going to be hell.

The aim is to benefit the middle and working classes, right? Then we should concentrate more on green jobs and our infrastructure. The country's infrastructure mirrors our financial and political state–broken, rotted, and in need of repair! Instead of giving rich people money to throw away, we should help homeowners stay in their homes, and craft tax cuts that target the middle class and working poor. We are the ones who suffer the most and have to pay the most.

I think the stimulus plan does need to be changed. They need to do what's right, not what's popular and take out tax cuts since they didn't work in the past. Use that money for infrastructure and stop listening to these pathetic right-wingers who ruined this country while pandering to the top 5% and southern morons..

Guantanomo should be reopened and all the Republicans in Congress should be thrown in it, along with Cheney and Bush.

Yes it needs more repair to roads and schools .a large housing and morage part like 300 billion then get rid of all this pork

The change should be aim toward our senior americans the poor the jobless

Throw out nonsense like the smoking cessation plan. Emphasis should be on job creation. Forget about increasing personal tax cuts. Not only are the chances of that money going back into the economy slim but if I were unemployed, I would rather have a job then a coupleof hundred dollars that would be of value for only a few days.

So the Republicans were taking a nap when Bush got the first stimulus package passed and they're just beginning to wake-up?

The Law Makers should be accountable for how the money is spent and hind-sight is better than no sight!

I hope the Republicans vote against all and every issue President O'Bama presents. The American public will always need a good laugh and that will undoubtedly happen every four years during the general election. Democrats winning by landslides.

Doug
Orange County, Ca.

The stimulus package needs to address several things–long term investment in our infrastructure, help with the mortgage problem and stimulate consumer spending. There need s to be a good deal more, maybe 6 to 7 times more, in Infrastructure spending because that will not only create jobs, it will add value to our physical, built, public environment. It will continue to pay long into this century.

On top of that, the plan needs to address, in a direct and practical manner, the foreclosure problem. The bleeding needs to stop now. Families need equity, value and security. Communities need families to be viable.

If there are to be more tax cuts, they should target working people and those who are below the taxable income bracket. They should not be for those with money already–they won't spend the tax breaks but save them. The Bush tax cuts should not be made permanent.

We need directed, focused monetary infusion.

Take out the pet projects and wipe that smile off of Nancy Pelosi's face. I think President Obama is truly trying to reach out across the aisle and was starting to make real progress towards a bipartisan bill to shape the economy. Then the House Democrats slap down everything he is trying to do! Both parties have good ideas and good intentions, but with strong yet different philosophies on how to do it. Let's throw a dog a bone and have a bill that is truly bipartisan! Like the president said, the democrats in the house are acting "shameful"!
Knick Knack Pattiwack, Give an elephant a bone!

Since the banks are not really looking out for the people in forclosure, the government should lend money to the banks to make home loans current. This way everyone benefits, banks and homeowners. Not pay raises or bonuses.

Get rid of the "Pork". If you can NOT prove it WILL result in more jobs -
do not put it in the bill. We put trust in the financial sector and they laughed at us and spent it for their own good and they did not care what happened to our economy. WAKE UP SENATORS****GET RID OF THE PORK!!!!!!!

So the Republicans were taking a nap when Bush got the first stimulus package passed and they're just beginning to wake-up?

The Law Makers should be accountable for how the money is spent and hind-sight is better than no sight!

That's an easy one, Jack. Get rid of the freakin' pork in it and don't tell me about programs 2, 3, 4+ years in the future! We need help now with programs will work now. We don't need contraceptive pills to help the economy NOW. Pelosi's $819 Billion (wishful thinking, since it won't do what it;s intended to do, so they wil come back for more and more) is a joke. Noone in their right mind would put a debt like this on our children and their children. Cut taxes give businesses incentives and forget about resodding the Capital mall. Sheesh, what are these numbskulls thinking about? This is NOT the change President Obama envisioned.

About the stimulis bill, instead of giving the BILLIONS to the people that already lost that much and seem to have no reguard as to how they are spending what was given to them by us the taxpayers I feel that the american people should get this money. Give it to the people who are loosing their jobs and houses. this will undoubtly find its way back into the economy and stimulate it. No more to those who already can't keep track of money. How does a company get that far in debt? don't you think that you would notice a problem when your down 1 million I know I would!!!

I've read that increases to food stamp allotments actually helps the economy by increasing spending. So, why don't our legislators use this paradigm for the stimulus package? Rather than giving tax breaks, send out vouchers, similar to gift cards. In order for people to get the benefit they HAVE to spend them. This gives them a choice on what to spend on and they wouldn't just sock them away. The resulting consumer spending would give an immediate boost to the economy,

Congress is the same old Congress– fight and stall and get nothing done. They want to keep their jobs because where else can you get a better paying job with those kinds of benefits? They should all be fired every six years, without exception. Let some other lawyers have a chance! Hee hee.

Items that do not serve to maintain or create long-term jobs should be removed from the bill; however, additional tax breaks should be excluded. How are we to repair our infrastructure–roads, bridges, schools, and government buildings without adequate tax revenue? How are we to secure our borders, ports, and other vital American interest without tax revenue? I guess the republicans believe in magic!

How should the stimulus be changed? I don't know, can anyone tell me what is in the it, beyond the 2 or 3 things that mainstream media keeps reiterating.

The Republican Congressmen just do not get the situation. All you see on TV are Congressmen and Senators complaining about the Stimulus Bill. Not one has made a good suggestion as to what should be changed.
Buzz words and plateaus are all you hear. They should give up the old days of Lee Atwater and start giving us workable programs.
Tom, Tampa, Fl

If you want to help with the mortgage meltdown on possible solution would be to fix it from the ground up. Let states administer an application to determine who should qualify for a stimulus intended to catch up their mortgage. Stipulate that if someone catches up their mortgage then the credit bureaus will under the condition stipulated remove the history of late or missed payments up to that date. This way people keep their homes. The banks get their money the old fashioned way. Also regulate how a bank can spend it revenue under condition of lower profit including limitations to benefits and bonuses.

Stop bailing out Big Business Period. Let them go under.
Use 100% as low interest direct lending to small business
and other qualified borowers and to refinance mortgages.

500-1000 tax break won't make any difference for economy,
since their average monthly interest on debt alone is more than that.

Would be liken to urinating on a forest fire.

we were told that the stimulus bill was going towards infrustructor spending. the senate version of the bill should at least 50% of the money should go towards that. Does anybody remember the summer of 1997? that was when Bill Clinton signed a balanced budget into law. And now we have a trillion dollar budget deficet. When the economy gets back on track, I hope Obama will balanced the federal budget like Bill Clinton did in the late 1990s.

P.S. thanks for nothing bush.
I'm glad he's not president anymore

Jack- Most of all it should be changed- it should defintely include extension of unemployment benefits, money for laid off workers to continue their health insurance, job retraining, and publc works projects to fix things now that have been broken for along time. It was suppose to have projects like bridges and road repairs that we have needed for many years and provide jobs along the way in a long term manner. THIS IS NOTHING OF THE SORT!!! This is Pelosi's pet projects she has had for the last 8 years and could not get passed under Bush. Most of whats in there does not belong in this bill- the taxpayers are not for any more bailouts and this is of the same!!

Yes, we all want government to do something but not to waste another trillion dollars. Its almost laughable how they say this time there will be regulation and oversite- thats what they said before and now all these billions of dollars spent and they cant even say what the money was spent on.

How about a one term limit for all of them in DC- yeah, put that in this bill- that will prevent it from passing.

I think the Republicans are getting a dose of there own medicine and they don't like the taste of it . After 6 years of their control with the economy they thought was in great shape . They think they have all the answers now that the Democrats are in office

Jack,
Why cant they do 2 bills: 1) tax cuts and 2) infrastructure spending.
This would be something for each party. That would be a 50/50
chance that something would work. The pork would gone from the bill
and the cost would be much less.

Wyllie
Richmond, VA

Tax cuts for small business is not a stimulus. A tax cut will not be incentive to hire more employees. What small businesses need at this time are custormers to buy thier goods and services.

Real stimulus will look like the New Deal where millions of Americans went to work building the infrastructure of this nation. Now with bridges collapsing, schools deteriorating, and health care not reaching those in the rural areas of our country, we can solve the financial crisis by employing those who cannot meet their mortgages in the honest and critical work of repairing our roads and bridges, renovating schools and building medical clinics in underserved areas. This will stimulate the economy in a substantive and sustainable way and use our tax dollars to improve the quality of life for all Americans, not just the greedy bankers on Wall Street.

Send every American $10,000 and you'll see how fast we'll get the economy moving.

Jack,

Heres my two cents worth:

More money should be focused on infrastructure and manufacturing, instead of programs for smoking and birth control. Additional retooling of steel mills to bring back mass transportation in a big way. And devote a big chunk for green jobs so this country doesn't need oil from foreign countries..

Joann from Maine

with the mess that this country is in,your guess is good as mine.but good money after bad just will not cut it.help the people instead of all these companies and bank is just replacing their coffers.

Jack. Keep the Beef and eliminate the Pork. If our Congress can't understand the task at hand, they should go without their pay so they can feel the pain that so many are experiencing. Congress needs to understand not just talk that we are in a difficult time and we all need to make every dollar count. The sugar coating is over and making some Washington friend feel good, is over. Joe Shippensburg ,PA

it should be scrapped if the would suspend capital gains and federal income tax for a year. this package will create no jobs raise inflation and destroy the dollar. but hey the president and democrats will get there money for there pork projects and stay in office at the expense of the american taxpayer

They must make sure the rich stop getting more and the poor don't have to keep paying. I personally do not intend to give another dime to the executives and companies who cry wolf with false bankrupties and lay off employees who are struggling to take care of their families just so theese greedy executives can make their fat pockets fatter. They don't care about their employees or their customers so I am finished with them -how about some boycots!

Every dime should go to info structsure, energy independence, keeping americans in there homes and job creation and if any porky the pig is left in there, we should show our elected officals where the people without jobs line up at !!!

Since not one Republican is voting for the stimulus package despite additions to placate the Republicans - I suggest they remove the changes that were added to placate the Republicans. This certainly won't cost any votes and may even reduce the cost of the stimulus package.

This bill needs to be stopped dead in its tracks. This contains too many payoffs to liberal special interest. The bill is called stimulus, not democratic reelection spending bill. I'm sure a liberal hack like you, Jack, probably disagree.

Forget the tax cuts (they'll only help the rich anyway – which is why the Republicans want them in). Jobs, jobs, jobs should be the focus. Turn our cities into working mass transit (Portland, OR is an excellent example). Rebuild the roads, bridges, sewer & water systems that are also crumbling. Get us off the oil teat – clean energy. If you want to provide tax rebates – do it on people upgrading to solar panels. 3,000 miles of electric lines is a pittance. It should be a hundred times that. Move the power underground to lessen the impact of power outages during storms. There's plenty to do out there that will put people back to work earning a good living that will then be spent in the economy (and some of it will go into savings).

As for the banks, If they don't need our money, have at it, do your business as usual. You want our money, then we should nationalize them, fire your execs, keep their salaries and bonuses, sell off all their unnecessary assets (like jets) and put someone in to run the bank who has loyalty to the public trust rather than the stockholders and investors. 1) They'd think twice before requesting money and 2) the stockholders and investors would throw the bums out before the government had to get involved.

We are no longer in a recession. We are crossing into depression territory.

I appreciate it that President Obama is trying to reach across the aisle – that was one of the reasons I voted for him. But you cannot keep sticking your hand out to keep getting bit. This is the first test and his hand has been rejected and they have lied about why they did it and the GAO report. They are continuing to play "politics." So I look at it this way:

1) For every vote against helping this country, we take away one of your "solutions."
2) If you vote against the package, your district gets none of the money and the same for Senators. If you want to live by your principles, then your state can live by them as well. Then we'll see how long you last in office.

I am not happy with some of the stuff in the stim package put out by the House. I'm hoping the Senate can come up with something better. We need jobs, jobs and more jobs. Much, much more needs to be focused on creating jobs and keeping people working.

Take the stimulus from the government and give it directly to the people in the form of debit cards and use part of it to pay down mortgages and give lower fixed rates.

Why not just give the current one a chance and allow the President to do what we elected him to do. If it fails, we'll just continue to get back up as we have for the last 8 years. By the way where were the Repulicans then?

what didn`t we learn from the last republican tax cut ,i don`t remember the rich (repub.) asking to give more to the middle class when it was about them.

Scrap it entirely! Printing "monopoly" money to pay for real problems will make the $20 in my wallet worth $10. BTW, I only have $20.

M. Steele, new RNC Chair, does he have the position or does Rush speak for him? This is pathethic, the election of Steele. He cannot and does not relate to blue collar workers, the poor, minorities, or any other ethnic groups. Steele is just like Bush. Do the Repub party think that American's are stupid?

Everyone should receive one million dollars and a unicorn!

Jack instead of giving the money to banks and companies to pay off what a middle class mortgage would cost pay residents of apartments up for a year or so. This free money that the middle class has to spend in all of the industries boosting the economy. We will buy car, homes and even start a business or two. Pay a off one home per family. Work from the bottom down. Try this atleast you will know were the money is went straight to the mortgaage companies to pay mortgages off. Again the money will immediately stimulate are economy! Try it

Do not change anything in the bill.

All components are necessary if america is to regain its position in our global community and the middle class is to stop the downward spiral into oblivion. I perceive the republicans as attempting to "justify" themselves without regard to the impact their stalling tactics have on the middle class and poor of our country.

It is obvious the republican strategy of past has not worked – so why aren't they "open" to alternatives?

Jack. I am getting tired of the whining from the repulicans about not having any input. (which they have been given the chance to)
They seem to be their hypocritical selves. Why so I remember good old NEWT G crowing the same tune "we won we will do it our way"
his way was that outrageous Contract on America.
My father taught me to not to be a stone in the road. They should either pitch in our get out of the road.

Newark, Del

The best advice I ever got was "Do Something even if it is wrong." As a young guy in his first executive position, my boss urged me with this advice, adding that I would never be perfect and to just try to be right more often than I was wrong. We chose President Obama to lead us, so let him lead, even if he is sometimes wrong. Expecting a perfect stimulus bill is a recipe for grid lock He has promised he will make corrections when he is wrong, a good indication that he is wisely prepared for mistakes as well as success.

Don't change a thing. The Republicans are up to their same old tricks, even after the American public in November said their way was not the answer. The Republican party is no longer a legitimate political partty. It has become a cult. They are despicable.

Why don't they give a stimulus bill just for the citizens. We could pay off any college loans, home loans and/or any debt we citizens have. But what I do know is if we keep giving out stimulus bills or packages, we could end up like Japan in 1990's.

I would like to see this stimulus bill focus more on infrastructure investment on projects that create real jobs now rather than tax cuts that will merely be pocketed. Let's invest in an electric grid from the coasts that can carry energy from the wind corridor. Also begin creating the infrastructure for alternative fuels like natural gas and laying the pipeline to carry it, which will help establish a more American energy economy. I don't think we need to spend quite as much as this bill is running right now, we could start with these huge priorities. If these projects begin to stem the tide of job loss we can support further legislation of this type.

Don't give money to states whose Senators who vote against the stimulus (If Corker (TN) and Alexander (TN) both vote against the plan, Tennessee would be excluded from the stimulus money, etc. If one Senator votes for the stimulus and one against, said state would get only half the money that had been budgeted for it. All excess money would go to states who voted FOR the stimulus, according to economic need. It will take action that drastic to change anything in Washington D. C.

I think some of non-smoking and birth control bills need to b eliminated. There are nonprofit agencies that will help someone with those areas if someone really wanted assistance in that. We need more jobs created in education, medicine, construction even government...things that will improve our quality of life...and believe me when they start hiring I am applying...is CNN hiring I have a pleasant personality do you need or wolf need any assistants....im willing to work for a lil more than minimum wage I just want to support my family!...Well anyways I'm all for jobs that's what america needs and that's what needs to be in the stimulus package

The stimulus package should be changed by removing it in it's entirely. The government has no right to redistribute wealth. As much as you guys like to blame the Republicans for this mess, it is not all their fault. And to those of you who think this stimulus package will magically fix everything just because its from Obama and the Democrats, you are in for a big disappointment. Government expects to take wealth from the productive part of society and give it to the people who have failed and wasted their money in the past. Do you really believe this can be effective? All we are doing is printing money, inflating the dollar, and ultimately destroying our currency. The last 2 bail outs did not work, and neither will this one.

Jack,

We have 435 members in the House(435 individual projects) and 100 in the Senate(100 more individual pet projects)...now, how-on-Sams-Green(but dieing)-Earth do we expect our Brain-Dead Government to actually agree on anything less than covering the own @$&*$...????
If we want a better Stimulus Package, get rid of the entire Congress and vote in your next door(every-day-Joe)(NOT JOE THE PLUGGER) neighbor...at least then, and only then, will we have a cold chance in summer to get a real Stimulus Package that helps all Americans!

Jack, It is very simple! Just take the number citizens who filed taxes last year and divide it into the amount of the stimulus package and cut each person a check. This is the only way to keep it out of the hands of the greedy , corrupt, corporate executives and into the hands of the people who really need it!!!

With all due respect, what is the President trying to do bankrupt the USA? Do first tihings first. First cancel all the tax breaks that B?ush gave to the rich. Seconly, stop sending good money after bad to Iraq. Bring ALL our troops home and we wont have to send any more money Tell these beggars that there will not be any more bailouts. They can save themselves, by spending money more wisely. Have their employees tighten their belts like the rest of us have to do. tell these fat cats to suffer on a commercial airline, they'll get used to it..

If they are people in the Senate that don't approve of the Presidents Stimulus package, then lets be sure they are left out of it. We do not want any more bonus gave out for no good reason.
Tom

The Democrats need to get all their social Agenda Programs out of this bill. Some of them may be worthy projects but this is not the bill to attach them to. If it creates jobs rapidly, expands mass transit, gives us alternative energy and green jobs leave it in. The Smart Grid and infrastructure is a must to leave in.

850 billion really 1.2 Trillion with interest. We don't need to borrow from China to float our earmarks and pork and let our grandkids pay for it.

Get The SOCIAL AGENDA OUT

Republicans say more tax cuts. that is what got us in the mess to begin with. it wasn't spending. and how do tax cuts help create jobs? those who are out of work won't be getting any tax cuts as they don't get a paycheck...

They should take the money from the programs they deleted to make the republicans happy and put that money into more infrastructure and jobs spending. Many republicans say they wanted more spent on infrastructure which is badly needed.

whoa whoa whoa Jim Fallbrook is that true about immigrants and aliens getting 500 bucks?! that's ludicrous! they definitely need to take that part out ....still no reason to name call the new president and emphasize his middle name in an ignorant attempt to attack him though

Jack, according to the Census Bureau, there's about 115 million households in the US. Why don't we give each household $8700 that they can use toward a car, house payments, debt, or spend as they see fit. This would total up to a trillion dollars, and would be a lot better than giving it to Wall Street greed mongers as bonuses for flushing their companies down the toilet.

Simple. Just cut out the unnecessary tax cuts. We've had 8 years of tax cuts and they didn't help. In fact they contributed to the problem. Everyone knows the cuts were put in just to placate the Repubs. Our infrastructure is crumbling everywhere, and we just learned this week that Kentucky's electrical grids cannot handle a simple winter storm. What's wrong with fixing that and creating local jobs in the process? If Repubs are going to vote against the bill anyway, Dems should just go ahead and strip out their demands.

All they need to change is to make sure the money gets to the "People". If this is a "consumer-driven economy", stop the bleeding of jobs, and foreclosures. If we can give Gaza 20 million, why can't we get 10,000? Republicans have no idea how many homes they have, so what plan can they possibly come up with? Oh wait, more tax cuts for the wealthy. Just Great.

Jack.
Congress and the President should give every American working class citizen $85,000 per household period. This would definitely stimulate the economy and create more jobs. It's just that simple!
Bernie
Grand Rapids, MI

I think that the heads of corps and banks that received past bail out money and handed out bonus, perks, partys, etc. should be brought to trial and prosecuted, jailed. Franken and Pelosi also for greasing the hands and pushing it thru without safety measures to benefit themselves and Assoc. should be prosecuted. Then the congress and senate could kick out all Lobbyists and get down to honest business or they know what would happen to them, if this bail out is by and for the people who elected them. That is the only way we will get our country and honest government back.

I am a staunch liberal, but I think Nancy Pelosi was too rigid in getting the bill through the House. I say get rid of the pork and any portion that doesn't create long-term employment. Support R&D for new technologies. It's time to act responsibly, not continue the childish behavior of previous Congresses.

Hi Jack, I took time this morning to email the White House (whitehouse.gov and go to 'contact'). I wrote and ask President Obama to consider giving small businesses with less than 1000 employees a major tax break! These businesses are struggling with the Bush Disaster.

Also, the SEC needs to freeze the interest on A.R.M. mortgages that will be rising.

if the republicians have such great ideas where have they been ? where were these great ideas 8 years ago. they are just as much at fault as wallstreet and bush oh but now they know whats best for us! whats best for us is that they see that there moneytrain has come to an end its time to wake up they work for us not themselfs not for wallstreet!

Back in the good old days, the 80's, the government came out with an investment tax credit. A business could invest capital in machinery or infra-structure for it's operations and get a tax credit for the investment. Seems like this approach had alot of plusses and did , as I recall, stimulate job and economic growth. At this time, there seems to be a profound sense of urgency to get this right. The Dems and Pelosi have to try to get it right. Without the GOP, it will be difficult.

I am not sure if I preffer more spending vs tax cuts. I do see advantages both ways. My biggest complaint was the lack of funds going toward our eletric grid. I do think most of the spending should have gone toward our infrustrure. We need to develope a new energy plan using all home grown sources.....wind/solar/hydro/coal/nuclear.
Tax cuts for both business investments lower income($100,000 & less) would help spur the economy and help those in need.

Matt from Michigan

I propose that the Government should allow the American people to have access to one third of their 401 (k), tax free, for the next two years. This will allow massive amounts of money to immediately enter into the economy, without increasing the country’s debt. All industries will benefit when the American people can once again purchase cars, boats, homes, and electronic equipment, travel freely, and, pay off loans and debts.

To those still complaining about the bailout, what would have been the total cost of letting the banks fail? That is how much would the FDIC have to pay back and how much of that money would leave our economy? I'm guessing it would cost more than bailing out the banks.

Neel from New York

Lets slow down and make sure we are doing this right. I'm like most middle class people we understand how bad our economy is but to just throw money out there without thoughful debate won't work. Lets make sure the money spent will create real jobs. I'm a democrate but I feel the house bill is to full of spending pork barrel projects that will not create real jobs.

Jack, i am sorry to inform you that i am really getting sick of the republican party. It is obvious that there party is anti immigration, anti middle class, anti fairness . They claim to be conservatives, but obviously very unAmerican and they lack transperiency. I would suggest the new stimulus package should be passed without baby sitting them to play along. Also the new RNC chairman that was choosen today is obviously politics. I am sorry but they will never have my vote, especially when pple like Rush Linbaugh is against our president and the sucess of our country. They need to change the way they veiw the middle class and show them some respect like our president Obama does.

Throw it out and start over. Design it the way it's supposed to be without the pork.

The Senator from Missouri appropriately called the Wall Street Executive "iditots". Congress and the President are the bigger idiots for giving WALL STREET the money!

I think that President Obama needs to explains how community service projects help to grow communites and create jobs that are needed. His plan does create jobs and does not need to be changed, just explained to those who are not in the community buiding field.

Jack,

Tax cuts by themselves will not stimulate the economy. The poor and middle class who will receive a few hundred dollars will spend that paying on debts. The wealthy will put the thousands they get in the bank. Businesses will say thank you for the tax relief and continue to lay off workers and hold down spending as they do in all economic downturns. There has to be job creation and some spending. That said, throwing money away just to be doing something is no answer, either.

Jack, I'm not sure how it should be changed but I do know that the Republicans don't seem to have any ideas eexcept more tax cuts. Obama has all ready included tax cuts for the less wealthy and Bush"s tax cuts didn't do much for the economy. In fact I think they were partly responsible for bringing us here. I have a son who has been looking for a job in Ohio for ten months, a son-in- law who is a car salesman who hasen't sold a car in three month, a daughter who sells real estate and has seen her sales plumet, and another son-in-law who is a pilot for DHL in Wilmington, Ohio who knows any day could be his last. All of them are former Republicans who say their Republican leaders don't have a clue. Let's give the Obama plan a chance and if it doesn't work all the Republicans can say "I told you so."

Don't change a thing. The Republicans are up to their same old tricks, even after the American public in November said their way was not the answer. The Republican party is no longer a legitimate political partty. It has become a cult.

Hello Jack,
Let's quickly review the last eight years. We gave huge tax cuts to the top 1-2% of the population, tax breaks and tax loopholes to corporations and we gave oil companies billions of dollars in so-called royalty relief. We continue to hemorrhage blood and treasure in Iraq. We deregulated the banking industry, financial institutions and every sector of the government. George W. Bush used signing statements to get his way by undoing or revising bills that had been passed in the U.S. Congress. Pork barrel deals and earmarks were slipped into legislation in the middle of the night. 47 million Americans do not have health care insurance and this number will grow as people lose their jobs.

Crooks and thieves have been running the U.S. Congress for at least eight years.

Today's headlines: Exxon Mobil Reports Record 45.2 Billion Dollar Profit in 2008; "Steep Slide in Economy as Unsold Goods Pile Up."; "Metal Found in Peanuts from Georgia Plant"; "Obama Calls Wall Street Bonuses Shameful."

That is just the tip of the iceberg, Jack. If we are lucky those who rubber stamped George W. Bush's policies will lose their jobs, just like thousands of other Americans thanks to our fearless Republican leaders. 2010 and 2012 can't come soon enough.

After eight years of disastrous management of our economy by the Bush administration with six of those years with a republican majority I don't think there should be any further changes to attempt to attract votes. If it were up to me, I would strip out those provisions added at the insistence of the republicans and reinsert those dropped for the same reason. If not one of those birds can vote yes on the revised bill they are not serious about helping the country. They certainly are not interested in bi-partisanship.

You know Jack, I hope the Democrats put all the stuff Obama took out to please the Republicans back in. Not once did W care to even ask the Democrats what they wanted and made no attempt to do anything but push the ideological far right agenda through. Look where it got us. So, I say, give the Democrats a chance – they'll have to do a lot of wasteful spending to even come close to the what W and the Republicans have done to us. Why don't you guys go back and talk about W and his political capital – it's disgusting what the Republicans have done to us. Let them go cry to Rush – the heart and soul of the party.

It needs to be airtight! The country is head over heals in debt and simply throwing money to the problem without proper restrictions will not resolve anything but make it worse.

Who keeps calling this package a stimulus. Sure I can use a check, I'm one of those cut from a job recently, but I also know that money is fleeting. Once I spend my check then I'll be right back where I was. What would be different?
President Obama said that he wants to reinvest in the U.S. and a stimulus would be part of it. Some of you may have trouble understanding that, but you should atleast you should understand this...

If we don't take care of the things that caused us to be in this mess now then we will never be out of a mess. If that means giving money for birth control then good. That means less kids being born to welfare. If that means giving money to health research then fine. That means less people weighing down the medical system. We can't make bad decisions and expect to be rewarded. Time for President Obama to pull out the broom and clean house.

I keep hearing about more tax cuts but who are the cuts for...corperate? Come on people, those cuts didn't work the first time it's time to move in a different direction. Tax cuts to corperate is going to go the same way as TARP money to the banks... nowhere.

I how would a $198 million in lump-sum payments to aging Filipino veterans of World War II help create job in the US?. They still just dont get it in wastington . Obama need the line item veto. I only hope he has enough pens

Forget the $12.00 a week tax cut. Forget the pet projects worthy or not
this is not the time. Forget the GOP business tax cuts that's just their version of pet projects. Add a fund for low interest loans for people to have a source to pay off their debt being held hostage by the financiers with ever increasing interest rates and fees, re-build their credit, and keep their homes . Have a national campaign starting with education in kindergarten to help people kick the credit card and debt habit once and for all.
People are responsible for their own actions but the billions spent on the hook of advertising to lure them in can be an ominous adversary.

The stimulus bill needs to be almost entirely infrastructure; it would provide thousands of jobs for the now 7.2 percent of the country out of work and improve factors of our everyday lives cross-country. Our roads, schools, drinking water, power grid, and other factors of our daily lives built and run by the government have gone unimproved and irresolute for too long; it's time to throw money at something that can actually work.

i now beleive the first stimulus was for BUSH to repay his cronies and the second stimulus is for OBAMA to repay his cronies it has nothing to do with helping the AMERICAN working class

Rename it the "Government Stimulus Bill" and watch the piggies retreat from the trough.

re: Stimulus – what to change
Evidently Obama thinks the poor and middle class in America are a bunch of incompetent baffoons. His 'speaker' basically said yesterday they were going to 'dole us out' the tax help via small amounts because us foolish people put the last money we received (under our Mr. Bush by the way) in savings. Are you kidding? We put the money on luxuries such as pg&e bills, groceries and gas for the car and maybe a pair of shoes for the little one.
This stimulus is an insult to the American people. Screw the infrastructure-and the pretty lawn for some DC place – they can
wait. The 'hands on money' is needed by the American people now. Hit the button and get the checks in the mail. If Pres. Bush had the insight of what was needed why doesn't Obama? He is out of touch
and insulting to the American people ($500-$1,000 doesn't cut it either) and as Bette Davis said "put on your seat belts – it's going to be a bumpy ride".
Linda/Sacramento

Absolutely everything the Republicans did in the past 8 years was wrong. If the Republicans are unanimous in opposing the stimulus plan with a 100% track record of being wrong... then the stimulus plan must be the right thing to do. I say double it! If Republicans can't stand 850 Billion then 1.7 Trillion should do the job.

Easy (answers I wish ANY politicians had – are you listening Pelosi&Obama?).

1- Any company or program receiving money has to provide one job for every $100,000 received. If not met within 12 months, all new funding from stimulus is pulled 100%.

2 – Inception of a new "US Job Core" whereby those who have unemployment expiration rollover into direct new federal jobs with corporations joining getting tax breaks based on the numbers they hire and co-rated by how much they pay

3 – Since we failed to regulate, we begin a anti foreclosure program called "Shelter Force" that allows families under pending or acting foreclosure to have anyone (even kids) in your household work 4 hour blocks on weekends for a federal work core program within 30 miles of your home for min wage and up to 20hr towards real needs and causes, and/or companies who partner and employ them as part time receive a tax break

4 – Inception of a new "Rebuild America" small business program that has new federal loans/grants for new businesses based on how many you employ, last for first three years, and no taxes are paid for that first three years and that needs to supersede our broken and corrupt state and its taxes (as each of our states with the exception of maybe already good for business states DE, NV, AZ) for the entire term, so if you hire many, and make a fast profit through hard work - the government rewards you for both in that fast track term to profitability and providing jobs!

5 – Education. Education. Education!!!

Mr. Harkin is only delaying the time that this package can and needs to be passed. Get rid of the pork and put that money into ways that we need to recover. We all know that smoking will kill you but with all the taxes on smoking nothing is being done to help with quitting. Damn near every state is using the taxes for smoking for other things because they know that it is a steady income.

The economic stimulus bill should not contain another penny for the banks and Wall Street crooks.

All I've heard about the funds is that, 50 million going to the arts, and approx. 100 million going for sex education. I can't seem to see how that is going to stimulate the economy. Rebuilding the country's infrastructure is the best thing I've heard. It sounds like the liberal left got what they wanted! As usual, strain the hard working tax payer for ridiculous ideas.
When is this country going to wake up and see that democrats don't care about the little man. You can't say you're for the blue collar worker and then raise his taxes. Raising taxes on the wealthy is suicide at this time in our country. It's the wealthy that is providing the jobs for the blue collars. Raise their taxes, and you get what is happening right now.....layoffs.

We also, should be able to start buying something in the US that does not say made in China, etc. and be labled Made IN The US.

People need to refuse to buy anything not made here. I have.

It needs to be airtight! The country is head over heals in debt and simply throwing money to the problem without proper restrictions will not resolve anything but make it worse.
Tampa

The stimulus bill should be altered to include only those programs that will rehire and repower the middle class, the country is hemmoraghing jobs, not the upper eschelon jobs that let Big Business swell their own coffers and reward themselves while letting middle America lay suffering and bleeding in their wake. There should be No tax breaks at all for them. Let the government create the infrastucture and support jobs for it's people, who will then spend the dollars by simply going about the nations business and purchasing for the activities of daily living

Go through it and make sure content is direct stimulus. The Democrats do a much better job of helping the average citizen, but save the pure social programs for later. Keep this directly for stimulus. Interesting though, that money spent for the poor gives the greatest return for the investment. The Republicans should shut their mouths regarding wasting trillions. They were champs at that the last eight years and not in trying to help the average American or improving the country.
Ron in Ohio

Billions of dollars of National Guard military equipment was shipped to Iraq, and will in all probability be left there whenever American troops re-deploy. This equipment will need to be replaced eventually for use here. Why not invest some of the economic stimulus money in replacing the equipment, thereby creating manufacturing jobs in an essential sector?

The money from the stimulus package needs to be given directly to the people, and not to super rich executvies, CEO's, and corporations. They continue to use public money for private interests and the public has no control over it. First of all, nationalize all the banks and put workers in control. Eliminate the federal reserve and bring back the gold/silver standard. Put a 1% or more sales tax on dirivative/stock exchange transactions, which will create 500 billion dollars+ alone. Institute a single-payer, universal health care program (health care costs were the #1 reason for bankruptcy), institute cheap/free college tuition, better public education, and better renewable energy resources especially in solar/wind power. Cancel the NAFTA trade agreements. This will create more jobs, eliminate personal debt, and bring more purchasing power back to the people. Increase food stamps programs and increase workers wages. And most importantly, END THE WARS IN IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN! The Iraq War alone costs American taxpayers $14 million per hour! Cut the military budget by more than 50%; if we have money to kill people, we have money to save people!!

-Marc J. Mancini
Pittsburgh, PA

If the House republicans would have responded to President Obama's "open hand of friendship" with some votes of support ... instead they still have a "clinched fist" in both the House and the Senate. Perhaps, President Obama should start over and take out those items of attempted compromise and bipartisanship. Perhaps, then, Republicans will realize that there are not just "blue' and "red" states, but we are the United States!

i think nothing should be change from the bill we should give it a chance see what happens whatever obama do or whatever decision he makes i would give my right hand it wont be as brainless and unthoughtful as george bush.

jack, we've tried it their way, and everything, these so called educated scholars have put before us has failed. The first sign of intelligence is being able to admit to your faults. My plan is simple and practical. Cut a check for $10,000 to everyone who worked and payed taxes in 2008.This would only raise the defecit by 1.5 trillion dollars. Thats a mere drop in the well compared to the money we have already spent. Jobs down the road and tax cuts for businesses do not help me pay my mortgage today. Stop giving corperate welfare to those who don't need it. Its time Americans stand up and take back what is rightfully ours. Wake up America your being blindsided.

Eliminate all the pork and earmarks, or get rid of the entire package.

Give the middle/lower class tax breaks.

Give the money back to the people for mortgages, jobs, and
infrastructure.

Or, just let the country collapse before another Great Depression.

The Stimulus Bill is too big for proper evaluation or to do an effective job. It should be divided into focused action sets in order of their impact on job growth, credit availability, or returning more income to consumers and small business.

Items estimated to have the greatest impact in the first year should be in the first set considered.

This second stimulus pakage must change to not only address the concern of the poor and the banks but where is this helping the middle class. Most of the loss of jobs in recent months are white collar jobs and these will not be brought back by making short term construction jobs that represents 5% of the budget ,such as building roads, bridges and repainting our schools. No specifics are provided as to how they intend to create total of 3 million jobs. In addition, How is giving $7,500 for first time buyers at a time when banks do not want to lend from the monies already given to the banks in the first stimulus package as an incentive to stimulate the economy supoosed to help. What is going to happen to the current homeowners that are losing thier homes due to ilegal loans in order to abide to the laws provided that they do so, who are not able to refinance out of these subprime loans becuase thier property value decreasded not because they cannot afford to pay.. Stop the bailouts, since there is no guarantee that this will work while getting into more debt Look at the original root cause of the problem-the housing market – correct this and everytihing else will follow.

The Stimulus package should change by getting rid of a percentage of the People's debt and still give us a bailout check plus give the companies a bailout also. People aren't spending money because they are either losing there jobs or because of debt they have. If we take away some of that debt and still provide a bailout then people will feel more comfortable to spend money which will allow companies to have more jobs instead of so many job cuts. A tax relief won't be enough.

No they should not . The Republicans had 6 yrs to come up with a stimulus package .

I could give an example. 30 years ago this country tried to go metric. IT failed . While our international partners have been able to trade we have been hampered by an outmoded system this is now based on soft metric. Example a 9/16 bolt can be converted to a metric equal vent. 1/2 3/4 so on. In terms of food processing. This is the industry I worked in for 10 years they would go out of business because the industry would have to replace all of the equipment. This is false general mills 12 oz box is weighed with either us equipment using metric equipment that converted it to standard measurements.
In the past when gas station tried to convert to liters instead of gallons people misunderstood the prices and got frustrated so metric failed. Why to measure fuel in metric gallons being made up of 4 liter. This would be almost the same as a regular gallon but would less difference.
Another example is a container of cottage cheese when I was in Europe they sold it in 500gram containers. In the US it is in 16 oz containers but the equipment that measures it is still metric.
A big chance to help our competiveness would be to spur a public works program on full cold turkey metric conversion. Road signs could be changed creating jobs. Many, many industries would be created from the requirement to go metric. This would effectively break down a major barrier for our goods and services. Also the US is the only country using standard measurements. Guess what the military uses metric system. The US auto industry converted 20 years ago. Why because they could buy parts from foreign suppliers. I feel this should be part of the economic stimulus plan.

I want Barack Obama to keep the things he believes will work. We elected him, not a repub.. The repub. ideas is what got us here, why should they have any say in how to fix it.

Jack, didn't we try cutting taxes the last eight years? A lot of good that did us. Now Republicans are whining that they aren't getting their way despite changes that were made to the bill just for them. Ridiculous.

Take tax any tax cuts out that aren't for low-income citizens, small business, and "green" business development. Take out any money for projects that don't yield significant return in jobs and income for the maximum number of people, or that aren't significant infrastructure projects that benefit large numbers of citizens. The legislation should provide aid to reduce the cost and increase access to education and training for skilled jobs. Money should be provided to significantly reduce the cost of college. Bottom line: the most important thing for this bill is that it maximizes infrastructure investment.

More money for rebuilding roads, bridges, school buildings....
no money for corporate/banking/finance bonuses...complete
accounting and accountability for every single penny given
to any city, business, etc. OVERSIGHT

Well first of all he can start by calling the Stimulus Plan for what it is "Bailout Bill part B". I wonder if there is enough letters in the alphabet to make any of this work.

stimulate the middle class with money to spend. Not dopey incentives that satisfy no one..not with tax breaks for the wealthy, not with pork programs..just give the money to the taxpayers who paid for all this lousy government

Jack -

When the GOP pays back ALL the billions of money THEY spent on pork barrels, RICH Wall Street, Tax Breaks for the RICH, RICH, RICH, a Bridge to NO Where, etc.

Where was the GOP's OBJECTIONS when they were on a spending "spree" 8 years ago Jack?

I would rather BET on President Obama's sitmulus package than take the word of any Republican in Washington any day.

Unemployment benefits to employment wages, and provide businesses who rehire employees, only have to pay the difference b/t unemployment benefit and wage they had prior to being laid off. Then give those who participate at least a one year by on federal taxes. . . . there’s more but it gets people working and gives tax breaks to business, and does not increase deficit spending since we are already paying out unemployment benefits hmm wouldn't both Repubs and Democrats be happy!

Who really cares what the GOP thinks about what the stimulus plan needs or doesn't need. Regardless of what happens this economy is still not going anywhere unless trust with the people is established. Not pointing fingers-GOP I would say you are all a big part of the problem this country faces. Maybe we should get 18.4 billon from the banks that sent out bonuses to start.

Jack, didn't we try cutting taxes the last eight years? A lot of good that did us. Now Republicans are whining that they aren't getting their way despite changes that were made to the bill just for them. Ridiculous. Hopefully Michael Steele knocks some sense into the party and isn't just pandering like Sarah Palin was.

The current bill creates jobs and projects of the government's choosing at a cost of $260,000 per job. We know from experience how well our bureaucracy manages large tasks.

A better plan might be to use these funds to promote employment directly. Give small businesses the money to hire a new employee. 500 billion is enough to fully employ 20 million people for one year at $25,000!!!

This would instantly create jobs, and the marketplace would determine what and where they are. It also instantly increases productivity because the businesses get additional employees at no cost to themselves. It reduces a complex 600+ page proposal to one paragraph. No pork or waste, no earmarks.

I'm all for spending money to repair our infastructure and stimluate our economy. The bill should include money to rebuild our old bridges, bury powerlines in ice prone areas, replace old crumbling sewers, widen major highways and work on the power grid. It should also include money for to make us energy independent. I also believe it should curb the oil company profits, to keep americans from being harmed in a tough economic time. Remeber those $4 per gallon prices that stole money from everyone pockets? They can and will do it again. But wasting money on pork projects like trails for off road toys and millions for sex education and condoms is rediculous. Obama said he was ashamed of a bank wanting to spend $55 million dollars for a jet they ordered 2 years ago, but HE wants to spend so much more than that on all kinds of wasteful spending that has little to do with stimulating the economy. He should be ashamed of himself.

Jack,
What about the 350 billion dollars of our money that was already given to the banks to start the credit flowing , for the American people , that the banks kept for themselves is our Government nuts?? The Government should take the money back and while the're at it it would be nice if the Government could show these pigs what it's like to be poor. We need mayor oversight before anymore money is given out.

Jack, instead of politicians we should call them pinnochios, because all they do is lie, lie,lie. Its time to stand up America and take back what is rightfully ours.

I believe the stimulus should be more detailed and the planned budget more detailed. However, if the RNC members had listen to the DNC members the past 7 years we probably wouldn't be in this crisis,when they RNC were voting along party line instead of disagreeing with then President Bush on every issue and Bill that was presented when they had control of the HOUSE AND SENATE. they were warned that by 2009 those tax cut would undermined the economy. Therefore the majority believe in President Obama Plan and we should give it a chance to work. WHENEVER YOU REMODEL it will look worst until one start to clean the debris out and begin the beautification thereof

Suspend the capital gains tax for 1 year.
Do away with McCain Feingold
Tax all campaign contributions at the same marginal rate as the corporate tax.

Forget about funding for the anti smoking campaign etc. instead, provide money for more grassroots orgs. to fund vocational or job training or programs. Fund the "Workfare" program to provide for more job training. These programs would be a great asset to areas along the gulf coast for rebuilding "katrina" ravaged areas, especially new orleans.

I would use the Republican suggestions for changes as a yard stick and make sure there is nothing in the bill that they recommend as that is the surest way of getting it right.

Secondly when the GOP put out an ad stating 300 economists are against the bill I would remind people of the tobacco companies having all their scientists saying smoking wasn't harmful.

For starters, take out benevolent assistance to those without health care, jobs, money, etc. These ideas belong in a different bill. Giving money to the unemployed can diminish the incentive to get a job more than it helps them get a job, therefor it doesn't sound like much of a stimulus. It's a good idea, but it's too subjective when we need to be more objective. Let a later bill address welfare and let this bill fix our economy.

Why doesn't the GOP just push to ELIMINATE ALL TAXES? Oh yeah, then the couldn't lavish themselves with exorbitant payraises during this economic depression.

Take out the tax cuts. If the Republicans don't want to play ball, their sweeteners should go. Also, I'll gladly pay the same rate I paid under Clinton, as I no longer have a government I resent every day.

Give the money to families and they will pay their bills, the banks will profit from the increased income. Everyone will "touch" the money and feel wealthy.

When we give it to the banks, they don't even let us see it.

more infrastructure spending which has been ignored by the Republicans the past 38 years
also a a clause for no whining from the Republicans Do they even know the definition of bipartisan or that times have changed? Their outdated ideologies have been proven false. It is time for them to go back to the drawing board. But there they go from one entertainer (Reagan) to another (Rush). No wonder they whine so much.

First let me say that I as so happy to have a smart , active , and pragmatic President in the White house instead of what we had over the last 8 years.This man seems to be concerned with me and my issues not just the well been of the well heeled.

We should drop the tax cuts and have tax credits.
Tax cuts for specific things like new cars and things to make homes a business more fuel efficient.
We should have several hundred billion dollars worth of infrastructure speeding. And we should do something about the cost of health insurance.

Also just in case no one is willing to say it. We can't afford this war.

Also I think the Republicans have shot themselves in the foot as the Dem's and the President have gone out of there way to accommodate their issues. They will be lepers and social outcast for the next 2 years at least.

How about closing all those OFF SHORE MAIL BOXES. Make these companies come back on U.S. soil and pay taxes. Plus they would have to hire people. Imagine that, putting people back to work.

Patrick Unemployed Licensed Electrician
Denver, Co.

Dear jack, the "OBAMA ECONOMIC TEAM' rushed the economic stimulius plan !! I have too agree with republicans on more tax reductions in the stimulious plan the "OBAMA ECONOMIC TEAM" forgot about the lessons of the last great depression FDR's mistakes
in 1933 did not have an equal PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN CUTTING TAXES AND TAXE BREAKS
IN EQUAL PROPORTION AS WORK PROJECTS !!! the depression lasted from 1929-to 1941 because of raised taxes !!! social secuirty taxes!! Economists have also underestimated the stimilus package by 2.6 trillion dollars!!! remember it took 3.6trillion in world war 2 spending in 1943 e.i (TANKS ,PLANES,GUNS) PRIVATE INVESTMENT to reach the 1929 to economic levels!! I suggest to the "OBAMA ECONOMIC TEAM" look to past mistakes of FDR and reach across the aile to Republicans and REALLY listen to their proposals "THE OBAMA TEAM" rushed the stimulious plan and didn't think it thru !! add 2.6trillion more and give more taxe cuts!!

Well, Jack, for one thing, $75 Million to help smokers quit is just sheer idiocy. What job does that create? Is the plan to hire guys like me to take their cig’s away?

If President Obama thinks it's okay, I wouldn't change a thing. Republicans are loathsome, smirking traitors, all of them, without exception, just like their House vote.

First, the banks would see NO MORE MONEY. Second, given the fact that the banks made this mess with their unethical practices, give the money to the people in the first place.

Instead of sitting around wondering what the dolts did with the $400 billion that went out, you'd know this time because you and your neighbor would have a piece of the pie. Giving each person that had worked a job in the past five years $250,000 would have been far cheaper with the banks becoming stable because folk would have paid off their mortgages and credit cards.

Jack
$800 billion . .$1 trillion? Numbers and a Stimulus Plan way too large for most of us to comprehend. How about a $30k loan to some hardworking stiff trying to make widgets, or a $40k student loan who's repayment could be service to the nation that helped them out. Heck Jack by using the "loan" word we might even get some of it back!!These kinds of numbers are understood by all of us. (wtih the exception of Wall st. of course)

Jack, Stop being a lackey and speak your mind. Time is running out. What are you afraid of ,Wolf?

How typical of the republicans to whine and hold their breath when they don't get their way! If it was up to them, the whole country would run in neutral until they made up their minds. They don't want ANYTHING that the dems want in the stimulus package........ONLY WHAT THEY WANT! By doing this, they are holding all of us hostage to their whims, and as a democrat, I'm sick and tired of them! They lost the election, but John Boener struts around like he owns the place! How arrogant of him!

First double infrastructure! Then give more money to the states to help with cuts in schools. Create a bank for people with bad/no credit. Instead of handing out more unemployment benifits, put those peolpe to work (ex. they get benifits in exchange for volunteer services) Also, we need to build more products to be marketed to foreign countries. If we have to reverse NAFTA.

Infrastructure! Didn't we have a water shortage less than a year ago in Florida and Georgia? How about water desalination plants? We need big projects that will last a long time. If we are going to leave our children with a huge bill to pay, we had better make sure whatever they pay for is still around for them to use!

I hope people don't believe the economic analysts.....we are in a DEPRESSION not recession!! Someone will finally get that....I hope sooner rather than later. The stimulus bill should be 99.9% on JOB
CREATION and STABILIZING the economy. Once jobs and the economy are on track, then, and only then should we work on our other needs. What happens when the money allocated for the economy is depleted and we still need to create more jobs and the economy is not better? What then? Not a dime should be spent on anything else until this situation gets better and stable. It's called setting priorities... not your personal agenda! No one person, group, or political party can have a piece of this pie...it's for the COMMON GOOD of everyone! Somebody needs to get out and walk a day on main street to see just how deeeeeeeeeep this situation really has become! May God bless all those making these decisions to enlighten and enlarge their understanding.

Prior to Ronald Reagan's changes to tax code, people were able to deduct interest charges from credit cards. This would be exceptionally helpful now given how many have had to rely on credit to make ends meet.
Make sure that whatever we are renovating will have the money to keep it going. What a shame to renovate schools only to see them shut down a few years later due to lack of funding.
Actually I believe the most logical answer would be to give the money to people with bad loans who in turn pay off banks. Then people no longer have debt load and banks are free of bad loans. aka the "Trickle up Theory"

Give all homeowner $ 100,000 dollars to spend on the things that are nessessary like cars ,homes medical , food . That would turn the economy around and put people back to work from people buying things .

I have a few questions:
Why are we funding honey bee & STD research in this bill?
I do not understand why I, a small business owner, can't get tax breaks given to Hollywood production companies? I also have to purchase equipment for production.
These are only a few, on a long list, things I am questioning. I am in favor of a stimulus package, but I am having a hard time tolerating Congress trying to put forth a bill full of personal agendas. We need assistance now. Please stay focused on the job at hand and put both Democrat & Republican personal agendas aside.

With 5 million people unemployed, who have nothing to do all day, we could easily storm the capitol and take back what is rightfully ours. The American Dream.

I am frustrated and outraged that my tax monies will be going to CEO’s, etc. Why do they think my family owes them such when we are struggling and cutting back to make ends meet.
Looks like my new computer has gone to some SOB and I DON’T APPRECIATE IT….

Jack,
If the Democrats are so sure this ever growing stimulus pacjkage is going to be so successful, why should they care if the Republicans support it or not–could it be because they are concerned it may not be as good as is hyped and they don't want to take the fall if or when it fails, And to the readers degrading the Republicans, isn't this still a free country where people can express how they feel and vote their conscience whether they agree with you or not? There is no need to speak ill of either party. Simply put, if the stimulus succeeds which I hope it does, then the Democrats will get the credit, if it doesn't, Republicans will begin to retake seats in 2010. Its really pretty simple.

Jack, the Republicans want change? They had the last 8 years to bring about "change" and they didn't. The "trickle down" theory didn't work. The distribution of wealth is so one sided that when they talk about tax cuts it only benefits the wealthy. You want to motivate the Republicans to vote for this stimulus package? How about changing all the Republican seats to Democrats in both houses of congress in the next election? Now that would bring about a "change" in the stimulus package. This situation just didn't happen overnight. The Republicans have worked hard at trying to destroy both the middle class and labor unions and partly succeeded. The American people voted for and want change and if the Republicans are too tone deaf to hear us, then they should be left behind. This train will leave the station with or without the Republicans on board.

I am sick and tired of the BIG corporations getting bailed out. If they can't find anyone who can run them the right way...let'em go belly up.Why not give every tax payer a slice of the BAIL OUT PIE and let us see who can get the economy going. It's not the banks or Wall Street, it's the people of this country ,that are tied to mortgage payments and car payments and credit card payments that they can't make anymore because mom or dad lost their job. How can giving banks more money to loan out help, when the average American doesn't have enough money to re-pay the loans he already has. I'd love to get a bail out, get out of debt and go on a shopping spree . I haven't been able to do that for a long long time. keren in lansing michigan

I say give the Republicans what they deserve, that is nothing and lets get on with America's business.

P.S The Republican Party is America's Problem.
Look Where they bring us.

First of all what happened to the ' Big Change'? Obama sounds more like Bush every day. No Pork, No More Banks Helped would be a nice start. Buy Amercian with Amercian Companies provisions & Labor. Also it would help if the Gov. raised the minimun wage for every hard working American, so we can afford to live & pay our morgages etc.

How can the Republicians stand on any ground after they gave all that money to the banks so they could give their TOP employeesbig bonus and the other money they gave for arrows and tax breaks for liquor companies. All the republicians talk about is tax breaks for big companies and big investors. The republicians are the ones that have had it their way for 8 years and look where we are.

The republician party is following Rush Lindbaugh and trying to make this plan fail. They will take American down just to improve their parities one track ideas.

The package needs more infrastructure spending and homeowner relief. Tax cuts for the middle class and poor are fine as well as cuts for small businesses. However, tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy don't work...we've tried them for 8 years. That's the republicans only idea and it doesn't work. GOP can lie all they want...they are playing games with our lives...they are all worthless and should be voted out of office even more.

Jack,
This isn't a clever, funny, cynical remark, the situation doesnt warrent that. My idea is to take the $350B left over from the first "bailout" and create 5 regional $70B private banks. There task is to loan money to credit worthy businesses and home buyers. Let the jerks who created this mess sink or swim on their own. Of course the real challenge would be finding people capable of running these new solvent banks. Of course this can't possibly happen as there are no lobbyists to help push this idea through congress.

I am torn as a dem if i can see this as passing every plan that never went thru in the last few decades, we can leave it there HOWEVER, we have entered the paradox of thrift as described by kinsey. Low and mid income people will pay debt, upper middle and upper income folks will try to make up stock losses, in their retirement portfolio, the seemingly secure will prepare for unemployment... tax breaks wont work this time, unless we go sub zero on the federal funds rate, that wont work either as an option for recovery, we have entered depression economics, whether we are in a depression or recession is irrelevant. What we have is crack addicts on one side of the isle and heroin addicts on the other side, the crack addicts say more crack is the answer, the heroin addicts say more heroin is the answer, when crack and heroin got us to where we are. The answer is jobs stupid (not u jack). We tried to build a house from the roof down, we tried to build a house of cards, Its time to use the hole we dug to build a good foundation, then rebuild the american house. I know the middle and upper middle white collar folks dont think there is anything in infrastructure for them, but if we pay the consturction workers and other blue collar types enough to buy homes and computers for their kids and clothes and necessities and some luxuries, google microsoft and even the hiddeous banks will need more white collar workers. This is key to stopping real estae collapse, there is plenty of cheap real estate no one has a job or can get a loan to buy it.

As far as changing whats in the package, more infrastructure, its paultry to the sum total, but someone has to invest in the future earning potential of america, and unfortunatley the government is the only one willing to do so.

Oh and the banks are the problem not the solution, we need to regulate and restructure the financial world, especially now that for decades to come we will be paying for these cash infusions and loans if they fail, if we can whip detroit while handing them a lifeline with a slip knot on it, we can do it to wall street too. These guys are the modern day example of the proverbial welfare mom who pays for groceries with an access card then hops into a cadillac or lexus or benz in the parking lot, but its even more disgusting when the guys that ruined the whole economy, are now raping whats left, sort of like asking somone for money after you rape them, how vulger is that

Want to stimulate the economy...STOP free trade. Put americans back to work in factories and in call centers and in all the jobs that are now being done overseas.

One way to change the "package" would be to forget the package all together and institute the FairTax. The FairTax is the only way America will ever bring back the prosperity we enjoyed in the post WWII era.

If the elected republicans feel the goverment (them) has no right to redistribute wealth (theirs) to the rest of the country (we the people) then why do they applaud Reagan's trickle down theory every chance they get hasn't that redistributed wealth (our nations) into their pockets. Isn't a 2nd generation of suffering countrymen (hungry, homeless, women and children) enough of a wake up call to make them reassess their policies. It's time to try a new method, Let's say...ummm...Trickle Up Theory. Invest in educating our children, greening up our industries, building small community business and national infrastructure then maybe a generation from now we will have a better America that works for everyone

Of course it's a political move ont the part of the Republicans. They said from the get go they wouldn't vote for anything the President put forth. Just before the vote they got together and said vote no. It wouldn't matter if it was perfect. Pres. Obama is for helping the people and Republicans have a political agenda to aide themselves. They should quit whining,accept the open hand offered, sit down with the democrats with decent ideas(not just tax cuts we know that doesn't work) to fix the package. I have not read the package, nor I doubt anyone else has outside of Washington to know what is good and what's not. There needs to be a discussion about why it's there, what it will do, will it create jobs or stimulate the economy. the Republicans need to stop behaving like 4 year olds, stop putting forth their political agenda and help us get back on track. We don't have time for their antics!

This reminds me of something Nancy Reagan said. JUST SAY NO!!
NO to corporate bailouts, NO to welfare for the rich. We sit idlely by while corupt politicians, dangle our future over a pool of sharks.

Give more money to senior citizens perhaps $1000, it will likely be spent on car repairs-we can't afford new cars.

Keep the fund for the National Park Service, this will make people want to travel to see our nations wonders.

Don't depend on the local mayors and govs. to request money for their states necessities. Does Miami really need a water park more than money for education purposes? I seriously doubt it.

I believe we need the stimulus package to be doing more to build upon and strengthen the foundation of our country which is the middle class. First we need more money for health care and family planning; that means teaching children where they come from and how to prevent unwanted pregnancy through contraception prevention programs. Second we need more money for education including arts, literature, math and sciences, not just reading, writing and arithmetic. Third we need to offer free vocational training to individuals who do not have the desire or aptitude to pursue a four year degree and for those individuals who have the aptitude and desire to acquire a four year degree it needs to be provided at no cost or through a work study program. The stimulus program needs to be in opposition to the GOP/RNC practices policies and procedures that are obviously pro white wealthy big business by cutting taxes and anti poor and middle class advancement by refusing to fund basic programs that strengthen the backbone of the USA.

James in Atlanta

give the american people money to spend , stop ALL free trade agreements that were pushed by Dems.,and Reps., that Ross Perot warned against. BY FREE TRADE , jobs were lost, states lost REVENUE , WHERE DID ALL THE SANE PEOPLE GO!

Cut taxes on people and corporations, lower spending on pork, stop the bailouts, give more unemployment insurance, No "earmarks" at all, allow departments to spend the money on THEIR priorites. stop micromanaging everything/everyone!

Give the money to the people. Americans are much smarter than politicians give them credit for. Its time we take back america and take back our lives

Eliminate the middle man-create jobs and use the rest as direct payments to families making less than $250,000 a year. Most of it will get spent and automatically improve the economy.

I believe the only way to immediately stimulate the economy is for the tax payers to start spending money for goods and services. This cannot take place unless the tax payers have money to spend. Yes, helping or bailing corporations is on way, but once the money is distributed to the corporations, help wanted signs will not be immediately displayed and mass re-employment will not happen. Spending creates demand for goods and services which stimulates the economy faster. The amount of money that will be provided to the corporations should be distributed to the tax payers to create a demand for goods and services. That will surely stimulate the economy!!!

Give it to me

What the stimulus package lacks is an exit strategy. The purpose of the bill is to 'stimulate' the economy, but instead calls for permanent funding of government programs large and small with no indication of where this money will come from a few years from now. Congressional Democrats are nobody's fool – why shouldn't they make it the Republican's problem in 2010?

Abby, Los Angeles

it hould be changed by putting a clause that bans Rudy Giuliani from opening his mouth for the rest of political career.

Jack, way to show your bias by saying the Republicans are "whining" about not being included. It's called representing the tens of millions of conservatives in America who won't give up our Union to a bunch of spend crazy libs.

Jack,First cut the pork,not so hard to do,if it looks like pork,smells like pork its pork, cut it out! Then cut all the tax breaks, thats right even mine.Someone has to pay for all the all the mess the BUSHES left for the American people to clean up!We all need to rember that we the people, NOT WE THE CORPORATION,are in charge and we let this happen.WE HAD A CHANCE TO BE DONE WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY by putting them to shame with a real bill to help the people of our country!But NO THE DEMS FELL LIKE FOOLS into the trap that makes them look even worse than the Reps.who put us here..Does the name Knute ring a bell !!! Mad in Ne.

You could just give it all to me....I could cross the country on foot and still get it to the American people quicker than the Government can.

It Should be changed by putting a clause that bans Rudy Giuliani From opening his mouth for the rest of his political career.

Save the Union, get rid of big government and bring back capitalism.

I agree that we need to have a stimulus bill, but I can't agree with some of details on this bill (for example, the program to help smokers to quit smoking, help illegal immigrants, etc.). Maybe GOP will need to negotiate with Obama to eliminate unnecessary wastes (smoking quitting program, etc.) and add something better that would generate U.S. jobs economically.

Jack, You notice the Republicans didnt vow to help make the package a viable document that would help the people of the US. Same o same o from the repubs. Work together!!

There is no stimulus in the stimulus plan. The money sent to states will only cover current workers for a short time. There isn't any money to create jobs or create demands. The "too large to fail" banks have failed, D.C. refuses to read th memo. The bank bailout only kept their lights on for a few more months, that's why they can't lend, it's gone.This is the trick down we have all been wating for. To economy needs, new banks, new lending, new opportunities to invest and create jobs. But instead the Gov't will waste more money on pet projects until Americans take our country back. This Change sure feels like more of the same.

18 Billion was gave out to Wall Street CEO's in bons'es in 2008...

Out of the 3 million Americans – how many file a tax return???

Divide that buy number into 18 billion and let the middle class spend some money on lush things for a change

I would hope that some one has taken time to include the Veterans in the Stimulus Packages. So much greed in this country

Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA

House inputs should have included the presence of the Republicans, rather than just "push" favors from the Democrats. Let the Republicans speak. Fourteen Democrats also voted against the Plan. Money needs to go directly into jobs. Yes, some "relief" will be necessary. Yes, the PLAN needs to be changed to put people to work in manual labor, WPA type infrastructure improvement jobs. People unemployed from "soft" office type jobs will need to adapt to manual labor. Most of our people have not experienced hard times, or hard work. Until Obama gets rid of Pelosi and Reid and their retributive, ungracious political talk & ways (sometimes screaming ninnies), we will continue the old combative ways which we've seen in operation over the past two years of Democrat-controlled Congress. Obama stood up for Lieberman and against Reid's decision to removal from the Chair of a Senate committee.

I'm 75 and grew up during the '33 depression. These were tough times. We lived near the tracks in a small Nebraska Village (700 pop,). My father and mother just got through the 4th grade before they had to work fultime. Dad delivered fuel oil for Standard Oil by carrying 5 gallon buckets of oil to inaccessible storage tanks. Our family was poor, but not "on relief". Until Obama gets rid of Pelosi and Reid and their retributive, ungracious political talk & ways, we will continue the old combative ways which we've seen in operation over the past two years of Democrat-controlled Congress. Obama stood up for Lieberman and against Reid's decision to removal from the Chair of a Senate committee.

Jack,

Kudos to Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, for her just announced legislation to cap compensation for employees of any company that accepts federal bailout money. I sent her a congratulatory e-mail and advised that she show copies of it to all members of Congress.

As a journalist and writer for more than 40 years, I know American taxpayers are fed up with the corporate and bureaucratic greed that are pervasive in our society.

Anyone in Congress who fails to support this bill most likely will LOSE their next re-election bid.

The Democrats shold take out every consession made to the GOP and make this package heavy with infrastructure spending. The election was a referndum on the handling of the economy and our ideas WON. Why would we listen to the party that drove us into this ditch. AS for Steele winning the RNC leadership, I just can't help but wonder in the party's de-facto leader, racist and ex-junkie rush limbaugh, will now have to bend over and grab his ankles...

The most important way the stimulus bill needs to be changed is that it should definitely raise the income taxes of all registered Republicans. Since they consistently complain about taxes I think it's time they put their mouths and money on the front line. Since it really is the Republicans that created this mess they more than anyone else should pay the price to clean up the mess.

Here's a novel idea...why don't we pretend there are no Republicans for the next four years organize our nation to support all the people and then in 2012 we can just elect independants or Libertarians to be the counterparty to the Democrats.
Still a 2 party system as per our constitution...but Lets Hope, One that works

Just says yes to STIMULUS.

For all of the republicans who can't stand a stimulus package considering it socialism – why don't they then refuse any social security benefits. Isn't acceptance of such accepting a socialist handout?

In order to stimulate this country we need to take a look at what brought us to this point and stop supporting a failing system. The stimulus project should be setting limits that pertain to the use of the funds and how much must be spent each year in order to protect the markets from an onslaught of "all at once spending". All state's protecting illegal citizens should be required to stop protecting those people in order to obtain any funding.

Strip the bill of those spending items that are good ideas, but long-term fixes, and focus on those that will have an immediate effect. Are there any additional tax deductions in the bill? Wouldn't it make sense to increase the limits for certain expenses that would stimulate the economy? Put more money into people's pockets for medical expenses, education expenses, energy-efficient purchases...spending that would help get the money circulating again. An immediate stimulus payment to taxpayers is absurd; a few extra dollars will hardly help those who have lost jobs.

Idea #1 – Dump the pork and maybe the tax cuts. Moody's reports that for every dollar of individula tax cuts it generates 3 cents of stimulus and every dollar corporate tax cust generates 30 cents of stimulus. But, every dollar of food stamps or infrastructure generates $1.50 to $1.75 of stimulus.
Idea #2 – Have Exxon/Mobil but one or two of teh big three with their record profits so they continue to have a ready market. It reduces taxpayer debt (we don't bail them out) creates tax credits for the refurbishing of the automaker to Exxon/Mobil to offset the rampant profit and create jobs for teh automaker. Buy just the assets not the liabilities.
Idea # 3- Instead fo costing each American $260,000 in tax giveaways, allocate $100,000 for every tax payint home owner to apply to their mortgage as a one time payment. Allocate $50,000 for every tax paying renter (non-homeowner) to allocate toward purchase of a car and durable appliances. It creates jobs, saves us tax money in the wasteful bailout and reduces debt to the individual. Win, Win and WIn.

Jack – We should try to get double the bang for our buck by spending on things that will both produce jobs and rebuild the country's infrastructure at the same time. Examples: rebuild roads and bridges. And how about totally restructuring our energy system by declaring a major shift to natural cars for cars, and building the infrastructure to support it. Imagine almost all of our cars on natural gas within the next 5-10 years! Build the gas pipelines and natural gas stations to replace our existing gas stations or convert them to natural gas. That would truly invest in our nation's future and produce jobs at the same time. Perhaps government could invest in the cost of conversion by paying for part, perhaps 1/2, of the cost of converstion. My research suggests it would cost $3,000 – $5,000 to convert over to natural gas. This country has huge natural gas supplies .

What will it take for the republicans to get a clue? For 8 long years they did everything their way – and look where we are. How on earth they can think their way is still the right and only way is beyond my wildest imagination. If they thought they had the answers, why didn't they provide them to their leaders (cheney and bush)? Or, maybe, these two didn't want to hear from anyone because they were too busy making all of their cronies (Haliburton, oil companies, big corporations, etc.) RICH!

Credit Amnesty! What's wrong with it? The government needs to give everyone a credit score of 750 to 785. This will create immediate stimulus. I'm a real estate agent here in Las Vegas and we need buyers to get ride of all the homes. Who designed and created the FICO scoring system anyway. Credit Amnesty for those who have lost or losing there homes and everyone that filed bankruptcy in the last 3 years. Credit Amnesty!

In Texas and in a lot of other states there are a lot road/highway projects that are funded with bonds and monthly or quarterly budgets. They pay for the project in phases. Phase one two three etc. It takes them years to finish the project because the city or county does not have the money to keep it running. They stop when they run out and start when the next budget get passed. Now everyone is short on money and these projects will take even longer to get done. I think congress should fund these local cities and counties directly and say here is the money go buy the whole road or bridge out right. Then the construction crews working on the project will have a continuous job.

The stimulous plan is not going to or will help anyone who needs help now or within 6 months!!! The money they are wasting with those so called programs is that the American people need help now. I been hearing about why the American people can't just get a lump sum between 15-25K to help those who need HELP (this doesn't need Bipartisan help) it would be a common sense decision. why they feel the American people don't know what to do if they got this money but feel we as Americans think it right for THEM to decide where our money should go without our permission. It's not like they are asking US AMERICANS WHAT WOULD BE BEST!!!!

I do agree that we should remove those things that will take too long to implement or that seem would have too little direct effect on the economy. I don't really think most people are buying the idea that the Republicans aren't just being obstructionist though. We need to act NOW, and we need the projects that will create jobs and spending NOW. It would have been nice if these guys could have found the guts to stand up to the last president, but I guess they think we have all forgotten what we have seen in the last 8 years.We have all seen what tax cuts for the rich have done for us My guess is that most of that fell into the hands of the swindlers on wall street and evaporated there in the massive selloff. They are opposed to tax cuts for the poor, who would be more likely to actually spend that money now. They are for cutting the capital gains taxes, which most people aren't experiencing a lot of anyway. I don't get it.

To me the answer is simple, give the money to the people. If we have cash in our hands, we will spend it. That would give the country a good shot in the arm, and as demand increases, people go to work to supply the goods. denny–New Mexico

They should take this 800 billion, give every american family 2 million dollars. Let them pay off their homes, cars, credit cards etc. That would stimulate the economy and leave enough left over for all the pork these fat politicians could eat.

This country needs to return the Gold Reserve
that was the only way we wont face this crisis again
printing off more money and staying on credit makes everyone elses money worth less
When our Finances were based on the Gold reserve it was most sustainable

Don't collect income taxes from the middle for 1 year ... Why should we wait for the government to dole out "check's" that will only cost more money.... I would be able to get a down payment for a house!!!... I can dream ... right???

The Dems wrote up the package and didn’t reach across the isle asking for input from the GOP. The GOP realizes the urgency in getting a stimulus package passed, but there are some items in this bill they do not like and don’t feel will stimulate growth, jobs more specifically. If Obama wants to be a bipartisan president he better get a lot better at asking for input from the “other side of the isle”. Your stimulus package will eventually get passed but will require some concessions from the Democrats. This is not a very good beginning for Obama’s presidency.

Stimulis? Maybe start the Presidency without so much wasted money on the Inauguration FESTIVITIES! Then cut out the Dinners and COCKTAILS at the White House! Then maybe for the Tax Payers may see some CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Jack,
We've got to build plants throughout the US to manufacture solar panels and related products, hire people to run those plants and train people to install the product. We need to build plants to manufacture CNG fueling stations and train Technicians to convert our cars and trucks to CNG. Where there is wind, we need to take full advantage of it. Again, build new plants to manufacture wind turbines and so on. Added to infrastructure repair these things would put people to work immediately!

Lastly, those Wall Street jerks should be shot or given the choice to jump out of a window!

Hi Jack, to call this a "stimulus bill" is laughable! This is nothing more that a liberal Trojan horse, a full on money grab to fund liberal ideology. Sure, it's been labeled as a "stimulus" bill but your kidding yourself if you believe it's going to stimulate anything other the liberal agendas and pet projects. If this thing passes it will be the best thing that ever happened to the republican party. It will have the democrats name all over it and it will fail horribly. The back-lash alone will result in a mass conversion in both the house and senate to the Republican party. Go ahead Dems, put the nail in your own coffin.

First and foremost, abolish the Federal Reserve central bank and print our own money INTERST FREE. Then our income taxes could be used for various programs to stimulate job creation, instead of paying off the intrest rates from a bank that does nothing but create money out of thin air and inflate our dollar to the point of worthlessness. Audit our gold and go back to the gold standard for our dollar. Do these three things and keep congress out of the free market, let it work itself out and give it some time to work.

Guidlines!

Jack,
I would suggest that the stimulous bill be changed by adding incentives that would accelerate the national transformation to using natural gas as the primary fuel for heavy trucks, busses and heavy equipment initially while we provide cars and light trucks with re-fueling facilities that could run on natural gas.

Experts say we can provide American produced natural gas for motor fuel for the next 40 to 50 years while we develop wind and solar energy.

Keeping 300 billion dollars in America rather than sending 700 billion dollars to foreigners to fund terrorism would have a significant benefit to our damaged economy.

Al in Texas

I think it is clear that the media has done a serious disservice to the bill by continually giving air time to those critics who have cherry-picked some questionable spending features that no one argues are bad ideas, just simply misplaced into this stimulus. Let's tally up all of these "mis-expenditures" and see if they are even 1% of the total. Pass the damned bill.

What we should do is just cancel the mortgages. All of them, toxic or timely, and then give people their house. That would be a trickle-up solution which first rescues the working and middle class at the expense of the rich, rather than this heist we are being sold now. Think about what could be done with all that extra cash in the middle class layer of our economy if we didn't have a mortgage. Investment, helath care, paying off credit cards.. all fo which could only help the economy from the bottom up. And yes, it's theft, sorta like when we made free men of property in 1865, except today we would be freeing ourselves.

The last stimulus went toward property tax and income tax. It didn't stimulate anything except my anger. I'm hopeful Obama can do better for me this time but it's going to have to be more than $1,000 or it will go toward taxes again.

how about a twikie tax, this would increase the tax on snack food and candy, not only good for the economy but it might just decrease the amount of obesity in the country....lets include this in the "sin tax".

Here is the solution:
Since the GOP is so sure of their ideas – implement them in the red states and do Obama's in the blue states and see which ones work.
My bet is on Obama's!

I agree that the vets need much more than we give them. I do not agree that we need more money in the VA hospital system. These hospitals are too frequently poorly staffed and of very low quality. We should give up on this wasteful program and give our vets Medicare benefits, allowing them to use quality medical institutions across the country rather than the current third rate system of VA centers. We should not force the vets into substandard medical centers while the rest of the country utilizes more qualified doctors and hospitals.

Hey Jack, is there anything greater than a Trillion?

Jack, "GREED and IRRESPONSIBILITY" from the early nineties is what got us in this mess in the first place. Why in the world would the banks and finance companies be allowed to charge outrageous interest rates to costumers in these difficult times when in fact they got theirs at a fairly low rate? As for those fat cats on Wall Street, they should be made to give back those bonuses. These are hard times indeed.

John rom Charlotte, NC

You can give each American $50,000, invest in the county hospitals for medical care for everyone, cut the House of Representative and Congress in half and this will put more money into our government. Let's see how Boehner and his clan will manage without their salary.

I emailed the White House but no response on my suggestion. Since the government now has a stake in the banks in the US, why not order banks and other financial institutions to "cap" the interest rates on credit cards. Now that will stimulate the economy immediately! Debts will be be much easier to pay which in turn means more money to spend or charge on a lower balance credit card. My credit was ruined by foreclosure in Feb 2007 before the Bush administration acted on foreclosures, but this seems elementary to me.

Mor einfra-structure for sure and Pell grants to re-train workers and other education tax credits for other tech type jobs.

I have no idea. I do know this started with Bush's tax cuts,banks out of control, fighting wars without paying for them and wall street giving outrrageous bonuses for nothing.

L.M.,Arizona

Jack,

For far too long our economy has been based on the use of credit instead of income by the middle class! Time to bring back jobs to America. Let the banks fail, they have gotten so big that no one knows if they have any money or not. Perhaps what is needed is a total restructuring of our ethical values imposed on big business that seems not to know that ethics even exist........... : (

Let's see, so many american jobs went overseas and the ones left are full of illegals immigrants and those here on visa. I don't see any stimulus package bringing the american dream for americans middle and low income citizens because businesses hire the immigrants here also for cheaper labor. As a certified nurse for 15 years and also an electrial technician from my service of eight years in the Air Force, I have seen hospitals, nursing homes, assistant living facilities, manufactoring companies, apartment complexes and just so many commercial industries favor in their hiring practices illegal and immigrants here on visas for cheaper labor over american citizens.
Even calling the phone companies when there's a problem we are connected to someone to help us from another country who can't speak english so we don't understand them.
Jack, that's who the stimulus package will help, those who are not american citizens.
In fact, the reason why the companies hire them is so they can give themselves big bonuses like the big boys on wall street with the money from the stimulus package.

GOP! You forgot about all the blank checks you gave to President Bush for the “perfect war” you guys supported? Don’t like stimulus? May be we should give President Obama a BLANK CHECK just like the ones President Bush received. This time the check will be for the American people.

Both reps and dems alike know exactly what needs to be changed, removed completely or improved upon in this bill! Maybe it's me but seems to me all that has to be done is take the best of both parties' plan, and duh..uh..maybe, put them together? It's not rocket science here, and well, thank god it's not, they'd destroy the damn planet!

The only thing that's going to make a difference here is the fact that we have found a gem of a Pres. who's thought process is based in REALITY and is humble enough to stay focused and open-minded during this ugly process.

the republicans had 8 years to think about what they could do to help.. NOW the want to come up with a plan on their own. Well frankly we are digging our way out of a deep hole from their last plans..

Give it to the people and let us decide where we want it spent. Rebuild the bridges and the dams and make sure the some people are on the side of the bridge that does not get fixed fat cats

Not one single dime ever again should go to big business. They got big by ripping people off