Social Security has been a wonderful success since FDR signed mohawk carpet it into law as part of the New Deal in 1935. I wonder if even FDR would have predicted that SS would be a success 75 years later. With a projected solvency of 2042, that's over a 100 years of success. Quite an achievement from FDR. Please reflect for a moment on just how important FDR's presidency still stair carpet is to America, to this day. FDR was the first American president to advocate for the elderly. Think about the importance of that. Social Security was a result of FDR's advocacy for the elderly. Social Security is an example of when America got it right. Slavery was America at it's worst. An atrocity and a blight on America's history. The Social Security Act is an example of stainmaster carpet America at it's best. We did right by our senior citizens when FDR advocated for and fought for passage of the SSA.

Has any senator or congressman actually read what this outline contains? How can anyone who is representing America and Americans support that, that thing? The money will basically go to pay off Obama's friends that helped get him elected. Surely, the people of this great land should not have to shoulder his election. We have our own daily living expenses to take care of. Somebody, please, have the guts and the leadership to reverse that misleading "stimulus" program.

I think it's time that congressmen need to refresh their memory on the purpose of their election and "service" to their country. They can't seem to destroy this great land fast enough. Everything in that "stimulus" package should be voided out, study a real plan and then provide for the needy, instead of using that money to promote themselves for the next election. We simply cannot afford to spend that money, unless the congressmen will take it out of their own pockets or in most cases, pay their income taxes that are past due and get some money in our treasury as a result. They have been getting by too long living off the fat of the land.

Keep up your efforts in fighting the spending bill which the House Republicans stepped up to vote in unity. It is important that Senate Republicans do the same.

I am heartened by the fact that the House Republicans added calcium to their diets and grew a spine. If only we could get the three "moderate" RINOs in the Senate to likewise supplement their diets , perhaps the country could avoid this 'stimulus' disaster! Alas, that will not happen. I have long contended that all politicians were more than willing to sacrifice the economic well-being of future generations to guarantee their re-election in the next cycle. It is the ultimate in 'taxation without representation'. The unborn cannot vote. But in light of our country's view on aborting children with taxpayer money, even in the third trimester, merely placing 'killer' economic burdens on those yet unborn can seem infinitely more pleasing and acceptable. Either kill them before they are delivered or tax them into third world status. If we cared as much about future generations as we do snail darters, polar bears, wolves and pup seals, we wouldn't be doing this.
I will reiterate my proposal to impose a 'recovery' tax on the financial industries sector, specifically the 'big cheeses' who caused this mess. [aside - I wish I could get Jimmy Carter, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd and Bill Clinton in this net as well - they are equally responsible]. Don't impose compensation limits - tax the hell out of these 'so-called' financial geniuses at 90% + until the taxpayers get their money back. And why is it that the guys who were in charge of these financial institutions (Geitener, Larry Summers, Raines, et al) are being picked for key administration positions? Yes, they know what they did and did not do to line their pockets and destroy our economy, but they are 'ethically challenged'. I'd rather have a Dickens County farmer in charge of the national economy than these crooks.

I am totally against the Stimulus Package in its current form. I am extemely proud of all Republican House members for voting unanimously not to pass the simulus package as it contains so many items of "pork" which will not stimulate the economy but instead will cause difficulty in paying for living on borrowed money for generations to come. Don't give up and don't give in. I just hope the Senate won't cave in to the demands of "pork-belly" spending.

Thank you!

Our politicians are either purposely trying to KILL what is left of our democracy, greedily looking only at what they can get out of it, or stupid. Mostly likely all three scenarios are at work. Unfortunately, the few good senators will motly likely unable to sway those that have already endoresed this monstrosity.

I just realized that we don't elect officials to represent our views, they are only elected to represent our district and they form policies based on their own pitiful agendas.

Don't kid yourselves, we are already in a socialist state, and it is just getting worse. The economic and political flood gates have opened and we are in exactly the position the neo-marxists have been waiting for.

I pray to God for the tides will change and our government will revert to the fundamental ideals of our founding fathers.

I am definitely against the House version of the stimulus package. I would like to see more tax cuts and NO PORK. I also agree that the spending is excessive and does not focus on creating enough current year jobs.

Clearly, we need some stimuli for our ailing economy...HOWEVER WASTEFUL SPENDING IS NOT THE appropriate answer...SEEMS TO ME THAT THE REPUBLICAN CRITERIA is about right------use it now----create jobs...the DEM criteria appears to be---SPEND IT ALL NOW---ASK FOR MORE----SPEND IT ALL IN MY DISTRICT OR STATE!!!!!! That simply will not work.....Maintain your current stance...

I concur with those who voted against this spending package. There is little stimulus in this. There is excessive cash in this for "social" activist organizations & strange projects. One project for the "Forest Service" (I think), would benefit David Obey's son who is in a senior position in the agency. Their annual budget would be doubled by this gift of taxpayer money (read: debt).
I pray that House Republicans continue to vote against this & that there are a few Democrats who realize such a package is not in the best interests of their party or this nation.
In a few weeks, the Obama admin will be coming to Congress for another few billion (about $800 is estimated) to bail out another spectrum of the financial industry. Perhaps this one will finally address the mortgage crisis which is behind all of this & perhaps someone will remember Barney Frank calling those who were warning about this, alarmists & conservative racists, while he also said Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac were completely financially stable. The U-Tube recoding has been removed here in America but is still available in Canada, for now. Wonder why U-Tube decided to remove this incriminating video, just here in America?
If you are really with us Congressman, then stick to your guns & do NOT vote for this obscene waste of money being used to pay off partisan political campaign contributors of the Democrat party! They are helping themselves & not America.

My wife and I are opposed to including dollars for pet projects of congressman and senators....things that are not remotely close to creating lastings jobs or helping people who need help. Dog parks and new doorbells are great but are not very stimulating. For the President to say hurry up with my "package" when it contains a lot of fluff and to say we the dems were voted in is a lot of hogwash...and posturing. Almost 50,000,000 did not vote for him...don't they count as well. I'd say the quality of our almost 50M is much superior to their 52M. Watch out Pelosi and Reid!!!!!

I'll be brief...NO to this bill. I guess they thought we were stupid and wouldn't research and find how crooked they were. I hope the American people realize what they have voted for...this is a payback to all their friends who helped them. I feel helpless.

this bill is not of the size or content I could ever support. The 650 pages are filled with useless spending that is typical of the Democrats and some Republicans in recent years. The people of this country are getting represented. We loudly told the congress and President Bush on the first Bill and we were ignored. the world didn't end and this time is no different just a different President. This is what we can expect for the next 4 years,and no way to fight or stop them. That's the real dooms-day scenario .thank you for standing up and fighting this monster and standing with the American people.

Everyone in our family agrees with you. Please do not vote for the "stimulus bill".

The bill is such an insult to the American people -- to our ideals, our understanding of the function of government, our judgment -- that it must be defeated!! Throwing money at a problem never solved it; throwing money carelessly without any plan or justification is criminal, especially the amount proposed. I have no doubt that the socialization of America is what is being attempted here, that the crafters of the bill know it, know they aren't fooling anyone, and don't care.

The Democrats are using the current economic situation and the stimulus package as cover to initiate a number of social programs that should be debated seperately and openly. When only 15% of the $800+ billion is slated to be spent in 2009, its obvious that the "immediate and huge" tag is simply a smokescreen and a hoax.

I say no stimulus package. The only thing stimulated by the package are the receivers of the Democrats payback-ACORN, unions, etc. I say lets lower taxes and give tax rebates to wage earners who actually paid taxes-no money to those who did not work or pay taxes. I am not interested in transferring income to those who do not work or pay taxes.

We don't need to spend more, we need to produce more!

We don't need more government spending, we need government taking less from the citizens.

Bring the corporate tax rate down to 8%, reduce taxes substantially on individuals, and radically decrease social spending. Doing those things will truly stimulate the economy: businesses will have more to spend so more jobs will be created, people will spend more of the money they rightfully earned thus supporting businesses, and those currently on the dole will have to go to work for a change.

President Obama is trying to ram something down Americans' throats that will only help his "Socialist" agenda. The government has never done anything worthwhile for the Americans. The only people who help Americans are Corporations and small businesses that hire people. The only way government can help us is to let us keep more of our money, stop controlling businesses and give them more of their monies. There is a lot wrong with capitalism (like CEOs making so much money - but this didn't just begin) but it sure works better than socialism. I am proud of the Republicans who are strong enough to stand up for what they believe. Republicans are the only salvation for us in Washington that I can see. Most Democrats have lost it I do believe. Thank God for the few that haven't.

My wife and I are against the stimulus package currently being considered by congress. The so-called "shovel ready" projects are sure to be wasteful expenditures. Remember the "Big Dig" in Boston?

If one can imagine that there is a national unemployment rate of +25% (which there isn't) and that there are bulldozers with engines running, and work crews with work boots, gloves, and safety helmets on just waiting for the whistle to blow (and there aren't), then we might realistically expect some good things, both for the near term as well long term for our country.

Unfortunately, I can't visualize this being the case. What I do see is a massive opportunity to spend borrowed money on more pork-laden, no-bid contracts, with little or no oversight or results measurement activities. And where are we going to get the workers for all these road and bridge projects that American workers "don't want to do"? More illegal immigrants?

I thank you for your "NO" vote in the House version which unfortunately passed, but without Republican support.I urge you to continue to oppose wasteful spending.

Even a "compromise" bill would be horrible. This bill earmarks very little for infrastructure improvement and economic growth, instead it is designed to grow the federal and states governments and fund liberal pet projects like never before. The worse part of it is that it will rob our children and grandchildren of any hope of prosperity and burden them with opressive debt. Rational thinking Senators and Congressmen need to demonstrate the courage needed to defeat this catastrophic pork project.

Congressman, this is spending package that is payback for the democrats. Doing nothing is better than this. These new expenditures will never go away and we'll be paying for them forever. I'm outraged with this fraud and sorry for my grandchildren because they will pay for this.

Most everything I hear & read about this bill suggests it is nothing more than a "payback" for campaign promises ... the bill is an insult; the suggestion that it is a bi-partisan effort is incredibly misleading; the threats that this must be passed immediately for the good of our economy are idle and misguided.

We're proud of you for standing firm Mike!

Sincerely, Pat Wilson, CPA

This stimulus bill should be put on the Bridge to Nowhere!! God Bless America,
and help us!

To give people like Barney Frank control of our federal funds, and letting him put this country into a financial disaster, and then... we don't even slap his hands!!! That is just one reason why Congress has an approval rating of 9!
We need people like Gary Campbell (Home Bank) who has a plan to get our housing and banking back on line. That would jump start our economy and start a trend of recovery.
Our elitist Congress is totally out of touch with our citizens. We are notching in our belts while they are getting a 2.8% pay raise! The bail out plan has over 2 BILLION for sod, while we have over 10% UNEMPLOYED in Michigan. Not to mention Billions for ACORN. The same people who bogussed the election results. Where is the justice? Princess Pelosi has her up-graded personal jet (just to get around a fuel stop) and she has the guts to preach energy conservation!!! Wake up AMERICA! This Country is close to marching on Washington. It's just a matter of time before even the libs get tired of this scam that is being perpetrated on our citizens. (I'll get off of my box. I feel better now!)

I think you are right on and am hoping the Republicans can stand strong and hold out for some meaningful revisions to what is currently a huge barrel of pork right now. I believe I'm hearing rumors of a compromise in the Senate and that scares me. Please promise me you and all the other Republicans will do all in your power to balance this out with some provisions that will actually help the economy, create jobs, and begin to restore our faith in the ability of Congress to put America's needs above the desire to wield power and control money!

I am totally appalled by the arrogance of President Obama, Pelosi, and Reid . . . and think we are in for a long 4 years of battling this kind of attitude on their part. They are not listening to the voice of the people at all, and they couldn't care less about what anyone else thinks or says.

Iam totally apalled at this whole situation concerning this so called Stimulas package. This is a very new thing for me because as a young citizen I have never been the type of person that ever was interested in politics because I never thought that it related to my life. I lived my life without a care in the world concerning politics but, as I have grown older, more mature and more worried about my future. the way that the president is just so ridicuously throwing this stimulas together like he doesn't have a care about what the effects of this package will bring. I am a 26 year old single mother and a full-time student and even I can grasp the fact that it may not directly hurt us right this minute but,in the long run he is hurting our future. Our future is our children and our grandchildren and the mess that he is going to leave this economy in and especially leave it to our children and grandchildren. I honestly beleive that it should be a crime. More people need to take a stand and prevent this stimulas from being put into motion. He is proposing so many things that are so frivolous and unnesasary. There are so many things that would make better use of his time instead he has wasted the little time that he has been in office to make our economy worse than how he received it.

Please kill the so-called "Stimulus Bill". We don't need it, and we don't want it. We DO NOT need another bill to take its place. We DO NOT need amendments to this bill to make it more palatable. Kill it and do not replace it. Please continue to oppose all such evil in the future.

This is the most excessive spending plan ever to come out of Congress. We must stop this at all costs! Please stand your ground and stop this plan and go back to the drawing board. The President must call the leaders of both houses together and lock them in a room until they work out a supportable plan.

I am completely opposed to this wasteful spending bill that Obama and the Democratis are pushing. Republicans in the Sentate should vote only for a bill that has virtually no wasteful pork spending and instead cuts government spending and cuts taxes. That is the only stimulus bill any and all Senate Republicans should be willing to support. This spening bill is stuffed to the gills with pork. NO VOTE FOR PORK.

Why is it everytime a bill get passed it always has to have add-ons. Fire some of those CEO's of the companies that need a bailout, it shows they couldn't run ti correctly anyway.

It's clear that our President lives in a dream world and that is why I voted against him. As I feared, he is going to be a puppet controlled by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. I just can't comprehend how anyone could be so naive as to think putting our nation into this kind of debt would do anything but further weaken our economy.

I am extremely proud of our Republican Senators and Congressmen/ladies for standing up against this outrageous bill. I pray that loosing the majority will not allow the Democrats to get their way.

I am totally against the stimulus package passed by Congress, as well as the one proposed in the Senate. How sad it is when the Democrats cry for bipartisanship, but listen not one bit to the sensible suggestions of the Republicans, and YET have the audacity to accuse the Republicans of being uncooperative! I agree with you, Congressman, that we need real stimulus by way of new jobs and tax cuts for small businesses, capital gains tax cuts, etc. I am against any special interest projects added to benefit a few. I am for proposals that will create jobs NOW. The idea of creating new social/welfare programs that will incur debt for future generations is totally unacceptable. Now is not the time for the new president to push for legislation that has no immediate effect on today's economy. He can save his "change" (or "new deal"?) for later, IF the time comes when we have money to spend! It is time to cut the fat, stop the bleeding. Stand fast to your principles, please!

taxpayers do not need to be stiffed by this liberal
money wasting porkoppotamus package being passed off
as a critically necessary stimulus. Some taxpayers
are tired of all this plethora of pusillanomous
persiflage purveyed in an effort to perplex taxpayers
(all big words used to confuse dhimmicrats that might
read this).

The Fed Gov is unable to deal with complex problems ... public education is a perpetual example. The answer is always given in dollar$ ... the result is always 'unintended consequences' and failure to obtain the anticipated reults.
If they were compelled to 'process map' the legislation before voting on it, they would have a much better understanding of what they are 'talking about'.
The Tax Code is symptamatic of Fed Gov ... it's BROKEN! Even the politicians can't comply it seems.
Pay-to-Play is the political game from state to federal politics ... Blago got taped! It's never Country First ... it's always Re-election First. The Republic for which we stand is seeing the demize of Democratic Government.
I JUST CAN NOT BELIEVE THESE PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON D.C. CAN BE SO SELF SERVING ... The situation in the World is too serious for the election games these people are now playing. I fear the public does not comprehend the magnitude of the current stimulus discussion.
Mike, please give our regards to Congressman Paul Ryan, WI

My wife and I are very much opposed to this bill. I have read the bill and there very little in it that has anything to do with stimulous. It is democratic payback for all the groups that actually got us here.
I do have another question! The problems in our and other economy's around the world, started in 1976, with Carter, and every democrat (in their own way ) have perpetuated this problem and made it worse. Look at the politician's that have been at the center of protecting this problem from the American people ( who are the biggest recipiants of political money from Freddy Mac and Fanny May! When are we going to start putting the blame where it belongs?

Limbaugh was right. This is a porkulus bill.Every socialist idea the democrats have is all wrapped up in one bill.
Just cut our taxes. that's all we need. Cut corporate taxes! Take the burden off of corporations and businesses. Simple as that. No pork. Stand up republicans. maybe you'll get your power and majority back. Don't go soft!

This is nothing but a "Pork Package" disguised as a "Stimulus Package". Republicans please stand your ground, you are right on this one.

Betty

I think dropping tax rates would certianly start us on the road to recovery. Just follow President Regans program in all phases.
One thing that I believe must be done, is the prosecution of those who brought this about, that still hold governmental office. Among these are, Barney Frank, Doud, and many others. My buddies who gave their lives for our nation, must be rolling over in their graves.
Ralph WWII

Please, don't let out of control spending ruin our economy more than what it already is.

If items in the bill do not support new jobs, those who need help because of lost jobs, don't let it pass.

They congress can always do another bill after helping those that are truly hurting now.

The more congress spends now, without new jobs, will only create a greater loss of jobs.

Historically government interference in national economies has resulted in slow, if any, growth and poor overall performance. Therefore government should not be allowed, much less encouraged, to meddle with such a vital function.

I agree with an earlier comment, stimulus no, Fair Tax yes. Nothing the congress could do would be even one scintilla so positive as the retrieval of capital afforded by the Fair Tax Bill currently proposed.

I understand that a part of the stimulus bill is $4 billon for smoking cessation programs. Didn't the president just sign an expansion to SCHIPs that is to be funded by increased tobacco taxes? Does no one see a connection here?

You are right. This bill must be scrapped and we need to start over. I don't want to give money as a payback to those who supported Obama. Keep the government out of the business and let capitalism control. If you fail, you fail and start over. It seems that everyone who cheated and is a dishonest is now in power in Obama's cabinet. Keep fighting for the forgotten man. EC

I don't call this bill anything other than it is. A huge spending bill with money we don't have. It repays all of obamas' obligations to his far left wing supporters. Vote NO!NO!NO!NO!

Republicans, have you ever heard of filabuster? Every Republican that truly wants a change can do this. This will show the liberal Democrats that Republicans mean business! I know that this will take backbone to stand up and do this, but isn't this country worth it!!

Spending is what got us to where some feel more spending will resolve the problem. time and a recession will cause the economy to turn around, this large spending only prolongs the pain and brings more taxes later.
where will buying help? the storage unites accross cities? many don't have room for any personal buying. debt pay down may be the better choice.

Dear Congressman; I am ,as are most Americans ,fed up with this piece of trash! There can be NO fix or tweaking of this bill! I am also tired of all the posturing by both parties! why don't you be the one person to tell it like it is and get on board with the FAIR TAX? If all you politicians would enact this, then you could set back and watch this economy and country really take off!

I read Senators Kerry’s and Conrad’s article “Congress Needs to Help the Economy Fast” in the January 26, 2009, Wall Street Journal, and was appalled by the speciousness of their arguments. They believe that the administration’s stimulus bill should be passed quickly and without much or any debate. This is wrong!

Senators Kerry and Conrad seem to forget that it is the American public that will bear the brunt of Congress’ mistakes. There are critics of the proposed legislation and many of their arguments and cautions seem reasonable. Recently an article by Harvard economist Robert Barro, maintained that for every dollar of government spending the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 20%. Or to put it another way: $1 of government spending will lead to $.80 of increased GDP; a contraction of the economy. The Obama administration claims the “multiplier” will be 1.5 meaning that GDP will expand by 150% for every dollar spent. This files in the face of logic. If that were the case, why have private business? What’s the use of private investment? Why limit the stimulus to only $825 billion? If $825 billion will yield $1.238 trillion in economic growth, why not make the stimulus package a couple of trillion dollars and everyone can go on vacation? Following the administration’s projections we should let the federal government run the economy since it will guarantee a higher rate of return than any business. Whether one believes the administration or Mr. Barro, doesn’t the public deserve some debate about outcome projections?

I think the administration’s “multiplier” argument is absurd on its face. Yet the Democrats don’t want to discuss any criticism while they have momentum. So the latest GAO report was summarily called “off the wall” by Representative David Obey (D., Wis.) and disappeared into thin air. The report suggested that much of the actual spending will take place after 18 months (2010), perhaps after the recession is over. This is a report produced by an agency controlled by Democrats. One wonders what Messrs. Kerry and Conrad would have made of such a report if it critiqued a Republican program.

Senators Kerry and Conrad fail to tell us when the stimulus ends? The proposed legislation will establish a new, higher governmental spending baseline far into the future that may never end. Government programs/spending become self perpetuating and rarely, if ever, will they end. Every year into the unforeseen future the public will have to dig deeper into its pockets, paying higher taxes to keep these programs afloat…even after they have outlived their usefulness. When was the last time a government agency willing terminated a spending program?

This is the time when cooler heads should prevail. We need only look and recent “stimulus” packages to see how they failed. Even Senator Chuck Schumer, on Sunday’s Fox News, admitted the earlier stimulus program that sent out checks did not have the effect it was supposed to. The Troubles Assets Relief Program (TARP) has also failed to provide banks’ incentives to lend. But now we are told to forget those failures and trust the Congress to get it right this time. I, for one, find no merit in their arguments.

My father always told me, "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." I don't think President Obama knows this. He thinks he can just pay back all his friends for helping him get elected at our expense. He insults my intelligence with his spending bills. The more people learn about this disaster, the less they want it. Vote no, stall and do whatever you have to do to stop this very bad piece of legislation.

This bill scares the daylight out of me. This isn't a bill that was written with an emphasis on stimulating the economy. This is a bill that was written with intentions to bloat the power of the liberal left, and aid in it's continued control long after our financial crisis is over. President Obama is on a PR campaign to shove this thing down our throats. Obama ran on "change we can believe in", and "hope", but speaks to the people about a "catastrophe" if we don't humbly accept this bill as is. He wrongly points to the "same old failed tactics", referring to conservative ideology, as the reason we are facing this financial crisis, when the "last 8 years" of the Bush administration had very little to do with the failure of Wall Street. Obama who claims to be all about fairness and transparency, works very hard to keep Americans in the dark about the Democrats role in the Fannie/Freddie debacle, or in the billions of dollars of pork in his "stimulus" bill. He constantly misleads the people with his speeches, consisting mainly of smoke and mirrors, and lays all the blame on Republicans and the Bush administration. Any argument against this pork bill, is labelled by Obama as obstructionist and partisan. It's Obama's way, or no way. This is the change we can believe in? This is the message Obama feels brings "hope" to Americans? Obama is our Chicken Little, and according to him the "sky is falling". The only way out, according to Obama, is to be good sheep and support this ridiculous sham of a stimulus bill, or go down in flames. Absurd and ridiculous. SHAMEFUL.