2. We could do absolutely nothing. No tax cuts, no new spending. Maybe the economy will spontaneously begin to breathe on it’s own without recussetation efforts. We should all cross our fingers. Pray, if you’re so inclined.

3. We could try some combination of tax cuts and serious cash infustions to jolt the economy back to life. We could direct the tax cuts to small businesses and consumers and inject money across the board to increase liquidity–with emphasis on expenditures that reduce future public costs, repair what needs fixing, encourage consumer confidence and spending, and provide help to those most hurting in bridging over some very difficult times. #3 is not without danger, because we’d be spending money on the assumption that we can make up for it when times get better. (Just like #1, except people advocating #1 would oppose the eventual tax increases required to pay off the additional debt.)

I guess it’s a “circle one of the above” situation? Or am I missing option #4?

It was like a high school pep rally, WITH childish chest bumping.

Disgusting.

God save us from another inept President after 8 long years before this guy….

My GOD.

Housing or fixing the housing issue will not immediately provide any jobs!

Kick starting the economy is what is important! That’s why it is called stimulus. And on top of that the idea is to use the stimulus spending to make long-term investments and fix some immediate problems (help some states out,keep some police and firemen on the job, do some immediate infrastructure, etc.).

As for fixing the housing sector or dealing with all the bad mortgages, that is partly what TARP was suppose to do and what TARP II is suppose to be about. That is a separate effort to the stimulus bill.

By the way, I thought Obama’s speech was brillant. He very much needs to kick some Republican ass, especially those Republicans that are using this economic mess, which they created, to play petty politics. Some of the Republicans that are showboating and grandstanding are disgusting and their behavior is not going to keep you or me in our jobs. Best Obama line was “Are these folks serious?”

FDR’s New Deal wasn’t just about spending money. It was based on a larger plan to build infra-structure that would have long-term beneficial impacts on the entire country. Fixing bridges and pot holes now is short-term. Once that work is done the work goes away and the workers have gained nothing in the long run.

BO doesn’t have the intelligence, experience and vision to sort out this complicated problem. He is still thinking pay for play, which has always been his game plan. That won’t work to fix an economy. In the long run it will make things worse….

I pray the Republicans hold fast and the Democrats get over themselves and the high they are on. It is time for grown up reality, not more partying….

People will horde their cash and it will not get into the economy. Where is Hillary Clinton’s program????? Hillary Clinton offered to only solution to existing homeowners

Many of the things the Democrats are trying to hide in this stimulus bill are actually good things that I can and do support. I just find their dishonesty in hiding them in a stimulus plan reprehensible.

And would someone please tell me why we have to cut away from a discussion to watch Obama depart Air Force One? Do they doubt his ability to do so?

I always found the endless clips of Bush, Clinton et al disembarking tiresome too. Nonsense and not just my admitted loathing for his Oliness having anything to do with my boredom with watching some man get off a plane.