CNN

@Jim,

Yes, when the economy is not working properly, and banks aren't loaning to each other, and credit is frozen, yes, you spend your way out of the recession, even though it puts you further into debt. Why? Because the alternative is worse.

This is not liberal orthodoxy, this is basic economics. While there might be debates between liberal and conservative economists over what the right proportions are for spending versus tax cuts, you will find very few people who advocate doing nothing.

What I dearly hope is that if/when we clear this mess, that we take seriously the responsibility to start paying down that debt. That means a combination of tax *increases* and service *cuts*. Nobody wants to hear that, but the piper must be paid.

Wow, some of these comments are HILARIOUS!

Some of these comments are very stupid, too. I drastically hope this stimulus will work. It may, it may not. I don't know. But I am giving our president and this stimulus a chance. I honestly believe that some parts of the bill will create some jobs we need in infrastructure and green technology. If we can get some jobs back into the economy, we (both dems and repubs) will be able to fix the economy.

Whatever happens, it's not going to be easy.

The hard part is having to listen to the Nay Saying Republicans who will not even give the bill a chance to work because they want it to fail so they can get back the power. I just do not get it how any American would not want this to work. If we can not get together as a country and soon we will not have a country.

boered 1-I take it economics wasn't your strong suit? Your analysis doesn't make any sense. People have to have jobs to spend money to stimulate the economy. By the last numbers posted, more than 2,000,000 people lost their jobs so far and that number is rising. Obama promised to "create" 3-4 million jobs when he was campaigning. Now he is going to "save" jobs. Which is it? And what happens when these jobs created to stimulate the economy end? Do we have the same situation we have today? And if that happens, are you still going to blame President Bush? Probably. Far be it for anyone to blame the annointed one for anything. I don't call receiving 30,000,000 dollars for a mouse a stimulus unless you are Nancy Pelosi. That must be some mouse. And the high speed rail line "earmark" that Reid received in the bill doesn't seem to me to be much stimulus for the rest of the country either. And that brings up another Obama promise/lie-the days of the earmarks are over in his adminstration...yea, right. We need real jobs, jobs that aren't going anywhere after a couple of years like the ones that are being promised now. And thirteen dollars a week in people's paychecks is a joke. With the price of gas going up again, where do you think that money is going? And the only economy being stimulated by that is Saudi Arabia. Obama has no grip on reality here. He is living in his own fantasy world with a huge ego that will come crashing down sooner rather than later and we are all going to suffer for it.

I didn't know that being President meant that all of your ideas will automatically work. So people stop acting like Obama should have power to see into the future.
Atleast, he is attempting something other than giving more money to big business and the rich. Both of these groups are motivated to do something only if they can gain more than their fair share..

Personally, I rather go with the guys that are motivated by something greater than extreme greed.

Hey NY Rep,
the DJIA is not meant to be read as the sole economic indicator, since there are only like 30 companies in it!!! it is just one dial on the economic dashboard. why do you think there is a big fuss over other companies' quarterly reportings and publications of other economic indicators???

besides, everyone and their mother says dont rely on single-day performances–this is precisely to weed out knee jerk reactions.

further, if you want to be critical about 271 pts what do you have to say for the 7,000 pt drop at the end of last year???

you should read a little more bc you just got schooled about economics by a Democrat!!

WRECKLESS AND TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE!! I can't believe the American people are allowing their country to be sold out from underneath them like this………to the Chinese.

****************************************************************************

How do you think the US could afford to wage a war in Iraq AND give a tax break? China was Bush's favorite bank.

I wish he would have told Pelosi to do better and not signed the bill. She is everything that is wrong with politics, but this is what we have so I hope it works.

Obama will have two terms, so start getting used to that idea now. The question is, how many more seats will the republicans have to lose before they realize America is tired of partisan politics and wants their representatives to work together?

Ya know, if Bush and company hadn't destroyed our economy, we wouldn't be in this recession/depression and we wouldn't be arguing about whether or not a stimulus bill would work.

What would have to argue about then?

Thats what she said!

God. I have never witnessed in my life, such a vicious attack and accusation levelled against a new administration like the media has against Obama. It's like the media thrives on conflict and they have heaped it hard on Obama in the last fwo weeks. This is a President that has not even been in office a month now and it seems like he took office 3 years ago. That's if you listen to the media. God bless Him. I don't know how he sleeps at night.

Obama Victim February 17th, 2009 2:26 pm ET

not a chance…………..only three years and 11 months to go.

I am a victim, also. A VICTIM of eight years of your KING GEORGE!

Obama victim –

Nice job. Such an optimist. I'll take Obama's "inexperience" and WILLINGNESS TO ADMIT MISTAKES AND LEARN (the TRUE signs of genius) over what your party gave us the past eight years.

I can't believe all the cries of "pork" pointing to programs that will OBVIOUSLY create jobs and rebuild the nation Bush and Cheney allowed to crumble around us...hiring people who need help.

If we do nothing, it ALL falls down. Then what do you expect the cost of feeding and housing everyone who is out of work and out of a home would be? FIVE TIMES what we're putting into trying to stimulate the economy to turn it around now.

Oh wait - I forgot. You're obviously a Republican. Your attitude is "every man for himself. Let them starve."

It's exactly why your party is OUT of power and I predict will remain so for possibly decades.

You must be wearing blinders.

But you are right about one thing - there are only three years and 11 months to go - 'till you get to watch the man get RE-ELECTED.

For oyu people who do not understand let me try one more time. the PURPOSE of the STIMULUS is just that, to stimulate, to jump start the economy. It WILL NOT built long term jobs nor is it intended to. It does not give some strange socialist powers to the Government nor was it intended to. basically it does two things, one it STARTS the economy up again, so instead of losing record hnumbers of jobs (as done under the end of the bush administration) it reduces that impact and potentially reverses it (yes for the short run I understand). But more importantly it instills confidence in the AVERAGE person, the drivers of the economy. If the average person sees the economy turning around (say a drop in unemployment of a reduction in foreclosures) they feel more confident about their jobs and start spending again thus turning the economy around and causing an upswing. Finally for those who point to WALL STREET for their determination of whether the economy is working... umm are you just stupid or do oyu really think those who buy and sell stocks, at a rate to impact the market, have ANYTHING to do with the average person? These are the ones that PRESIDENT Obama has threatened in the pocketbook, they, like the radical religious right, do not want this plan to work and so will try, again like the radical religious right, to derail it as much as possible.

idiots

Barack Chavez – El Presidente For Life.

Are we in Russia Danny?

IT WILL WORK BECAUSE IT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR SUCCESS NOT FAILURE.

IT WILL WORK BECAUSE IT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR SUCCESS NOT FAILURE.

@ obama cares,
February 17th, 2009 3:32 pm ET

at least this money will stay in America, not in some foriegn country on a war based on a bunch of lies.
-----------------

What math are you using? much won't be spent in the US and the debt that we just signed up for is having the interest paid to China and Russia.

Look at it this way, we have maxed out our credit card and have been paying interest to China. Rather than figuring out how to payoff the debt, we just signed up for a credit card with double the limit and a higher interest rate, again going to China and Russia...the money IS NOT staying in the US.!!

Obama Cares February 17th, 2009 3:32 pm ET
at least this money will stay in America, not in some foriegn country on a war based on a bunch of lies
-----------–
Sorry, your wrong! This money is in a foreign country... The USA! This is Chinese money since they are buying our debt!

Now for the hard part...sitting down and reading what I just signed.

Don't they warn you about reading the fine print at an early age? No one has fully read, understood and debated the merits and pitfalls of this bill.

We're still trying to figure out what happened with Bush's bailout.

Obama Cares: "at least this money will stay in America, not in some foriegn country on a war based on a bunch of lies."

Oh, really? what about money going to fund foreign abortion clinics? What about money hoing to Filipino WWII vets overeseas????????

Obama is not as short-sighted as Bush to claim anything is accomplished. He specifically states this when addressing the concerns of the country. To understand Obama's point of view, what you have to do is turn down your station blasting Limbaugh and actually LISTEN to what he is saying to get the gist. Give it a shot...like...you can just pretend he cares about the country and is doing everything he can...oh wait, he is doing that so no pretending is really needed!

"Now for the hard part"

How to steal the next trillion dollars.

Hey Obama cares....

You think this money is staying in the country? Are you forgetting that 40% of this bill is a whopping 13/week taxcut......

whete is that 13$ a week going....thats right 13 more items at the dollar store....and where is everything in the dollar store made.....

hmmm....
hmmmmmm
hmmmmmmmmm...

you people are clueless about how eceonomics work....and I'll stick up for Obamavictim....we are all victims because the man is taking my money and spending it on his immorral social agenda.

The GOP Leadership has sunk the ship from 8 years of their "fiscal responsibility". McConnell and Boehners leadership are a joke, they need PINK SLIPS for their lack of oversight. The GOP leadership under Bush sold the US economy to the Chinese, remember he's the one who sent us to war. Obama is doing something fundamentally right in helping America, he tried with the GOP leadership and got his hand slapped by the arrogant self serving GOP leadership. Why does he need them now.

Obama Victim, move to Alaska. I am sure they can keep you in oil and grease for 3 years and 11 months.

thats right Obama victim, only three years and 11 months to go until the PRESIDENT IS REELECTED probaly by a large majority again!

Obama Victim, et al: I am sorry to know that Bush (the cream of the crop) cannot help in in such times. So, would you like to take over the presidency?

@ Fan of common sense: Are you living on the planet Earth? I don't know what part you don't understand, Our country is already indebted to the Chinese. Some of you are acting as if everything is okee dokee. We are in the worst financial shape that most can remember. Maybe not today, but one day you will thank Obama for not letting this country slip into a deeper recession and it's called a depression!

@ Fan of Common Sense

You do realize that it was Bush who borrowed us into obscene debt to the Chinese, don't you? Remember that silly ar in Iraq that was based entirely on lies? You know, the one costing us over $10B per month?

@ Arithmetic is liberal: This country is the victim of the so called stimulus bill. You obviously do not know math, or your liberal version is entirely out of whack.

This is not a stimulus. Read it. There is no defense for it. It was voted on in the blind. (In case you don't understand, those voting on it did not read it.) It has garbage that in no way will impact the economy of this country. Several Billion Dollars of it. Wake up. You are the one spewing bile, as I have been watching you over several posts.

This country needs to wake up. WE ARE IN TROUBLE. When you get loaded with debt, do you go spend more money to get you out???????

Republicans hate the America they don't control.

Kiss that money goodbye, I'm afraid. Oh, well, I don't have any kids. Someone else's will have to pay back the loan...

GOP gameplan: bad-mouth the stimulus bill to ruin consumer and investor confidence so it is less effective that it otherwise would be. Sow fear and dissension, spew hate and lies, ensure that everyone suffers as much as possible during the economic downturn so they can try to pin it on Obama and the Dems. Punish America in retaliation for America telling them we've had enough of their BS.

The hard part for Obama will be explaining to the American people 4 years from now how he made the mess we are in 20 times worse.
Obama will be a one term loser.

If you're such a Fan of Common Sense, then where were you 21 days ago and for the past 8 years before that when the Republicans ran up $10 Trillion in debt to the Chinese to finance their tax cuts for the rich and dead American soldiers?

Really?

How much stock did you have prior to Nov, 4th and what is the value or your home now?

________________________________________

NY republican February 17th, 2009 3:12 pm ET

"Mission Acomplished" – the Dow-Jones is now down another 271 points!

at least this money will stay in America, not in some foriegn country on a war based on a bunch of lies.

Now what do I do.....

Let me see. I will pull out my Castro, Putin, Chavez Playbook.

Change the constitution. Tell people I can not fix everything and need more time because of all those bad rich white americans.... elect me as CAESAR and I will run the Senate.

I will give all the poor and broken as much as possible. Nationalize the BANKS, The Oil companies, Industry, resources... Now I control everything. I will HELP all you little people to think. Rough Road Ahead

For some reason....this all just seems to remind me of an old Eddie Murphy movie..................................Trading Places............

I wonder ? hmmmmmmmm.........

you poor sillies, don't you know that the government gets its money from "The Magical Land of Enchantment"? Why, the President & Congress simply close their eyes real tight & wish with all their mighty might, and beautiful money appears on a heavenly cloud! Tsk, and some of you think that is about taking taxpayers hard-earned money, keeping some for the politicians, giving some to companies that couldn't manage what they did have, and then throwing a nickel or two back your way so that you feel "stimulated"!!

This bill will not work because, quite simply, it has nothing to do with stimulus.... its a wish-list-come-true for Pelosi, Reed and the liberal establishment. The ONLY way to truly stimulate the economy is to put money back in the hands of the people who earned it so they can spend it. Yes, "trickle-down".... and it was PROVEN to work under Regan. Its basic Econ 101.... each dollar spent for goods and services has a multiplier effect several times over. All the money under this "pork" package will just line the pockets of greedy politicians, activists and ACORN type groups, and union bosses. All this bill will do is grow a larger entitlement-minded dependency that will vote democrat because they don't have to work for their money.

ooooooh.... very scary.... Arithmetic Liberal is all upset.

Poor poor baby. Wow you lost it dude. Get a life. No one can do anything about the next 2 years. The liberals won and we will see how it shakes out. If he is your savior maybe he gets re elected.

Maybe somehow the country saves itself. Elections in 2010 or 2012 could go either way. Maybe the boy will grow up fast enough. I suspect not but maybe.

If not someone conservative will go in and hopefully be able to fix all the damage this idiot Barack is causing.

The majority remains behind you 100% Mr. President.
Republicans can eat dirt.

What about oil exploration??? You people soon forget the $4.00 gas prices. All this money invested for green energy. Remember what your great one said "I am glad the prices went up, just not this quick" Be ready to pay another $4.00 for gas in the next 4 months. You think the recession is bad now? wait a few more months. Not one thing about becoming oil independent. He is an idiot!!!!

Come on CNN... post ALL the comments or none of them. Your selection is obvious and very one sided at times.

This isn't the 1930's
Construction jobs aren't going to pull America out of a recession.
And unless E-Verify is made permanent, most of those jobs will go to illegals. Tell me I'm wrong. I dare any of you.

Give it up CNN, you WILL NOT print more "Obama Lover" stories than us no matter how hard you try!

Barack Obama will Fail. Barack Obama will go down as the Worst President of the USA.... Barack Obama the Dreamer...

LadyMack....

Favorite song for $500 Alex...

I am Dreaming.

You are the winner.

If we can stand 3 years, 11 mos. more, which I doubt at the rate he's spending! Look at the showy so-and-so! Typical! All flash, flitting around in Air Force One, his "new ride" he's so proud of and is showing it off. He should be absolutely ashamed after signing away our tax money but, obviously, he's not. Fall, fools, fall!

I'm so glad he finally signed it. I worried the whole weekend that the economy would collapse while Barack flew home to Chicago for Valentine's Day and President's Day.

I should take comfort that he has his priorities straight and wouldn' t let the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression ruin his dinner plans or his pick-up basketball game. On a postive note, based on the reviews of Table Fifty-Two where they dined, he did inject $200-$400 into the Chicago economy for the meal. It makes my outing to Lonestar with my family look unpatriotic by comparision.

WHERE IS THE CHANGE ?

Sure President Obama can claim "Mission Accomplished." Your money is now speeding on its way to his rich friends. What else is left to be done?

Of course, lots of money will be spent “studying” the poor and funding bureaucracies to "help the poor." Nonetheless, the poor will still, as always, pay far more than they will ever receive. Then again, who cares?

Meet the new boss – same as the old boss.

Sure he can claim "Mission Accomplished." Your money is now speeding on its way to his rich friends. What else is left to be done?

Of course, lots of money will be spent “studying” the poor and funding bureaucracies to "help the poor." Nonetheless, the poor will still, as always, pay far more than they will ever receive. Then again, who cares?

Meet the new boss – same as the old boss.

Obama Victim
Maybe more like 8 years to go!

"Mission Acomplished" – the Dow-Jones is now down another 271 points!

I sincerely hope the so called stimulus package has a positive effect. I do not see where it creates or saves many jobs and from my perspective there is way too much spending on "pork" for lack of a better term. If for some reason it does not work, or makes matters worse, then at least the Democrats own it and can begin to accept responsibility for their own actions. I prefer capitalism over socilaism, call me crazy!

Seven years and 11 months to go you mean Obama Victim. The Dems are actually trying to do something and letting people see what it is. I am sure George W and Dick are your heroes so wouldn't you feel more comfortable on Hannity or Limbaugh's site? No way this country will let the Republicans at the helm again anytime soon. They had their chance. Look where we are at.

Goofy!

All the pundits and analysts trying to second guess this man have been proven wrong so far. Just like the negative reports from the spies who were sent out to view the land, Joshua (a young man) stood up to lead the way. Pres. Obama, our prayers are with you as you continue to deal with the herculean tasks facing this nation.

Obama Victim
You have to be some kind of a nut who do not understand anything, but hate. Who the hell card what you think.
You rather suffer and see the American people go under every day, instead of being supportive of a Black President, to see this thing through, you and the hard core Republicans are noting but a lot of dog phoo.

You need to go under a rock and stay put.

I am not in 100% support of the stimulus but I still do not understand why no Republicans have taken one iota of responsibility for the situation our country is in now. The years of business first, less regulation, greed, wars that never needed to be started, along with one eye closed on the shady dealings of financial "advisors" contributed greatly to our current situation and I have not heard one person who is not an Obama supporter admit to that. It is impossible to correct mistakes and move past them unless you can take responsibility for your actions. At least Obama is saying the buck stops here and is listening to the people instead of saying "so what" which is exactly what Bush and Cheney did.

Censored again by CNN, thank-you Sir may I have another?

Obama Victim February 17th, 2009 2:26 pm ET

not a chance…………..only three years and 11 months to go

-----------------------------

Can you leave the Country now and come back in three years and 11 months; or better yet can you come back in seven yrs and 11 months, because HE WILL BE OUR PRESIDENT FOR 2 TERMS!

WRECKLESS AND TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE!! I can't believe the American people are allowing their country to be sold out from underneath them like this.........to the Chinese.

@Obama Victim.The only victim was your poor mother.

All right, enough CRAP, Obama Victim

I am officially calling you out!!

What SPECIFICALLY has Obama done to you to turn you into a "victim"?

Are you a bailed out Wall Street CEO whose pay was cut to $500K?
Are you a member of the former administration who lost their job?
Are you a sparrow that got sucked through an Air Force One engine?

THEN YOU'RE NOT A VICTIM OF ANYTHING!!!

Go take some Pepto-Bismol if the thought of having a Democratic president is just too much for your delicate constitution to bear. Other than that, suck it up, man up, and deal with the fact that your regional cult party isn't in power!!

I've been WATCHING YOU for months, and you have no insight, no solutions, no original thought, and all you do is spew bile. You spew so much crap the back of your teeth must be brown. As if this will make any impact at all. For God sake, I'm probably just giving you exactly what you want...

If this bill doesn't work...his presidency is over.

I've got my sleeves rolled up. How about the rest of you? What? You don't want to do anything but sit on your negative pitty-pot and do nothing to help your country? Then MOVE! Not one person got us into this mess, and not one is going to get us out. At least there's a plan...where was the Republican solution? Oh yes, tax cuts...for their wealthy friends (who own mansions that they're trying to dump). That's a much, much better plan for middle and lower income families. How silly of me...

Obama Victim...you're only a victim of your own ignorance. And I'm a Republican before you start spewing typical liberal lies.

This isn't the 1930's
Construction jobs aren't going to pull America out of a recession.
And unless E-Verify is made permanent, most of those jobs will go to illegals. Tell me I'm wrong. I dare any of you.

We have delt with eight years of lies, deceit, and incompetence. It will take more than one month to fix the debacle that "W" left us. You see no one is asking his opinion on ANYTHING. I'm unsure as to where the stimulus will lead us as well, but the new president has out performed and is in my opinion (and many others) intellegent enough to make "smart" decisions.... not being led by his vice pres and oil companies.

So Obama Victim gets to post on every thread?

Neat.

I guess your moderaters are worried about "honest" intelligent citizens views being heard.

Oh, and fringers and zealots of course.

Like going 6to the Toilet with Constipation...

Now for the hard part.....er...uh....that would be figuring out how we're going to swindle the hardworking, law-abiding citizens of this country for another trillion in 10 months when the entitlement wells run dry again......uh...let's see.......ah yes, "JOBS!" "That's it, we'll create jobs for everyone!" "There will be a chicken in every pot, and a car in every garage...in fact, I'll pay the mortgage for the house where the stove's cooking the chicken...and also pay the payment for the car in the garage!" Now, where'd I put that basketball.....

Oh, already counting the days.. Then who do you want JEB?? Another Bush to send this country further into the toilet.. Give this man a chance, we put up with 8 LONGGGGGGGGGGG years of GWB. You republicans can't even put up with 30 days and already your crying..
BOOOHOOO, use the money you get back as a crying towel.

Can we impeach Obama before he does any more damage to the country?

Hey
Obama Victim:

that would be 7 years and 11 months to go. Your name says it all. Poor, pitiful fool – his guy lost.

Hey
Obama Victim:

that would be 7 years and 11 months to go. Your name says it all. Poor, pitiful fool – his guy lost.

I am Bill Writter.... I write the Songs. Sing along with me..
Mountain Bill....

Well on his way to being #44 on the best president list and slipping 1 place every 4 years.

Cynics are ubiquitous. No matter what a new administration does, the conservative public will,still, cry foul or even murder. The antagonistic commentator of this plan is unlikely to come up with a better alternative. But the urge to comment is all pervasive, and sure, is a force to reckon with.

I think Obama is a winner. The guy sets goals and targets and hits them.. always. I also think rahm was a perfect pick to keep Obama awake. I would not bet against Obama. He knows himself very well.
In 2 years things will start to improve in the economy. Also, Obama is hot and heavy on bin laden's tail and will have his head before too long. The GOP will look more lost and stupid than ever.

I almost feel sorry for the deluded party... almost. Well, OK, not even almost.

Barack has 2 years to turn it around.
By the way I love how it changed from creating 3.5 million jobs to now saving or creating 3.5 million jobs.

Great political spin. MSNBC said there is no way possible to measure whether it saves jobs. Things could stay exacly as they are and Barack will claim that he saved 3.5 million jobs.

In either case that is 228,000 per job.

WHY DOES HE ALWAYS CLAP FOR HIMSELF WHEN HE ENTERS THE STAGE TO SPEAK. WHAT A JOKE. NO HUMILITY.

Obama Victim....

YOU CAN LEAVE "NOW" IF YOU LIKE!!!!!

AWESOME WORK BY THE 4th ESTATE, HOLDING THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE!

But First...

How about an analysis of the effectiveness of George W. Bush's tax cuts and federal spending?

Did those tax cuts create jobs?

Did the Trillion spent up front for the Iraq war create jobs?

Will we see our trickledown soon?

This context may be useful in evaluating the counter proposals of Republicans who's bill had zero spending but was full of tax breaks that would up the debt by 2 Trillion more than Obama's tax cuts with stimulus.

Cheney is gone now he can't hurt you.

Oh wait 1 Drug Addict + 20,000,000 dittoheads trump reality at CNN.

Obama victum
You will always be a victum, no matter who's in office.

Typical Republican victim mentality. This is a good thing for those who really care about the nation as a whole. But for Republicans, its a bad thing, because it will shine an even brighter light on their lack of concern for those who are not wealthy and independently wealthy.

people are so stupid. A sign of the stimulus working is if we stay under double digit unemployment after the summer.

We'll be seeing him addressing Congress within 6 months asking for another $250 billion.

Yeah, the hard part: Paying for it, and paying for it, and paying for it...

But I guess the welfare bums don't have to do that, so it doesn't matter.

give the guy time. everyone expects to wake up the next morning with a pile of cash. it won't be overnight. the good thing is we have a president capable of talking and performing tasks, not an autistic one like we just sent via fedex back to his village

That's funny...., I can usually see the immediate results of spending a trillion dollars thats not mine.

Awesome.....I cant wait for my 13$ I have big plans for it, possibly a change in lifestyle. What a waste keep your money and I will keep mine crook

President Obama is the only person I trust right now to do the right thing.
The media has already condemed him to failure by their talking head republicans who fill the airwaves with gloom and doom and lies and hate.
President Obama will succeed.... even though the news media is against him. He has good on his side – plus brains.

not a chance..............only three years and 11 months to go