"Obama aides rip cable news and DC media as out of touch on stimulus."
Yeah, because it's the media's job to be in touch with the people.

Well I'm very happy to say that mine are healthy.

LOL, I give up on trying to follow this stimulus bill. First cut this cut that it's gonna hurt us. Now! Aaah! you cut that it's gonna kill us. Make up you're freakin minds for God sake. There's no telling which way is up or down any more. Economists have no general consensus on this matter and that's the problem.

The Congressional Budget Office predicted that the current economic recession will end in the second half of 2009 without the trillion dollar stimulus.
From The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2009 to 2019 (pdf):

CBO anticipates that the current recession, which started in December 2007, will last until the second half of 2009, making it the longest recession since World War II. (The longest such recessions otherwise, the 1973–1974 and 1981–1982 recessions, both lasted 16 months. If the current recession were to continue beyond midyear, it would last at least 19 months.) It could also be the deepest recession during the postwar period: By CBO’s estimates, economic output over the next two years will average 6.8 percent below its potential—that is, the level of output that would be produced if the economy’s resources were fully employed (see Figure 1). This ecession, however, may not result in the highest unemployment rate. That rate, in CBO’s forecast, rises to 9.2 percent by early 2010 (up from a low of 4.4 percent at the end of 2006) but is still below the 10.8 percent rate seen near the end of the 1981–1982 recession.
The Congressional Budget Office even says the Obama Stimulus will actually hurt, not help, the economy.

The CBO (Table 2, page 12) also predicts that the GDP will drop to 14,224 Billion in 2009. This is 1.9% or $63 billion drop from 2008:

I think the Senate bill is awful, stimulus has been gutted in favor of tax cuts that won't make enough difference to anything to be of any use.

Who knew Steele was Mike Tyson's former brother in law? Ick.

mydiadem, I did. His sister and Tyson have at least two kids. Steele's sister Monica is a doctor but I don't know if she still practices.

Yeah, well, cigarettes and alcohol are both linked to some pretty nasty diseases, so...

I think you have it backwards stephley. It not enough tax cuts in favor of pork spending thinly disguised as stimulus.

Thanks Dave, but I can speak for myself. I meant exactly what I said.

I want to know when Citizen will post Pete Sessions comments.

Are we already getting ready for stimulus bill failure by blaming republicans? How telling.

How is it telling. The republicans are not hiding the fact that they are trying to kill the recovery plan. They are even willing to use Taliban like tatics.

EVERYTHING causes some type of cancer. seriously lollllllllllll.... I'm done hearing about it.

Are any of the conservative readers concerned about Michael Steele being investigated?

They're trying to

kill the recovery plan!?

That sounds horrible.

Yes it does Organic. I'm glad you agree.

blu - Only from the standpoint that the investigation may lead to an Obama cabinet appointment.

But it looks like I'll be getting testicular cancer before I even have to worry about the absurd amount of interest each of us will owe on the new spending bill. God speed.

You didn't complain much about the trillion we spent on Iraq Org, I'm sure you can handle this too.

"blu - Only from the standpoint that the investigation may lead to an Obama cabinet appointment."

Stephley, it's amazing isn't it. These republicans who are fighting against funds for head start and food stamps were as quiet as church mice when it came to funding the unnecessary Iraq war.

"Are any of the conservative readers concerned about Michael Steele being investigated?"

Yes, I am... but not because he has actually done anything wrong. Steele has already proven his innocence. What is frightening is how the information was leaked to the press and the manner in which it is being presented (that he is in the process of defending himself, despite the fact he has already done so).

It made them feel safe Liliblu, and they were punishing wrongdoing heathens, so it was okay.

Fiscal conversative - some of whom happen to be Republican - are fighting to decrease wasteful spending. It IS possible to overfund social programs (ie: S CHIPS).

Lil and steph - just because you believe the war was unnecessary does not make it so.

I would also add that there were a number of Democrats who voted on that spending.

I smell smugness....

CG - it's amazing, isn't it. Only a few months ago Biden was saying that it's patriotic to pay your taxes... .

CG and Kranky I was going to resond but I decided not to stoop the level of level others would like to take this too.

by commenting on not responding, you responded.

It's all good, lil. But you HAVE to admit that was funny.

If you saw what I had written and cleared out you'd know how much I held back.

No kranky I don't.

Seriously, I was not trying to offend you. Hypocrisy is the human condition, and Democrats are not exempt. It is fact that Biden stated that paying taxes = patriotism, and later certain members-elect of Obama's cabinet admit to tax evasion. I do not understand how anything I wrote could possibly be taken as a personal attack against you.

Who admitted to tax evasion?

As for the war in Iraq being an example of unnecessary spending - that's opinion.

In my mind, paying for a child's healthcare whose parents make $80,000 is wasteful spending (SCHIPS), but clearly not everyone agrees with me.

On that note, I have to sign off for the evening. But lil - feel free to vent your feelings at me in a pm if you want.

OK - not quite off yet... um Daschle is the most recent. Gietner is another example (though he is no longer a member-elect, I'll give you).

There was one other woman who I can't remember right now and don't have the time to look up. Point is - I am not making it up. This is pretty recent news.

By the way kranky don't put words in my mouth. I never said that I felt I was being personally attacked.

I know who you are talking about. But when did they admit to tax evasion?

Nope, you sure didn't.

Seriously can't stay, but I think when Daschle admitted that he didn't pay for a portion of his compensation, he was admitting to tax evasion. I will readily admit that I am not a lawyer, so perhaps there is some definition of 'admit' or 'tax evasion' that eludes me so I will restate my point: Biden saying paying your taxes (and not taking advantages of loopholes) was patriotic, and then Obama tries to appoint people who are less than truthful on their taxes returns with the results that they did not pay their fair share of taxes under the law. I hope that works, 'cause I really gotta run-

Wasn't the fact that they didn't pay their taxes for several years tantamount to tax evasion?

It's become pretty strong opinion across the country that the money spent on the war was a mistake; in addition, more than one government report has found that billions of dollars were lost to unscrupulus, unmonitored military contractors. This new 'no unnecessary spending' religion you've found is more convenience than convincing.

"This new 'no unnecessary spending' religion you've found is more convenience than convincing."

It is a part of the republican plan to "find their voice". The opposition to the recovery plan and their new "taliban" tactics are all in preparation for the next election.

Actually, stephley, I have complained about just that on this website.

Though I am not a republican, and would prefer not to be considered as such, I very much enjoy the party finally standing up for something. It's never too late to stop the expansion of an already unwieldy federal government.

Now I've got a crack team scowering my previous comments.

In fact, I suggest everyone go back and review the comments I've made over the last few months. It's a pretty impressive body of work.

For tidbits about the Iraq war, try looking for "needless war of aggression."

Org: I was responding to Kranky, but what have you complained about: new religions, unmonitored contracts, or a trillion dollars for questionable wars?

Responding to: "You didn't complain much about the trillion we spent on Iraq Org, I'm sure you can handle this too."

* Marijuana: Yes, because Alcohol and Cigarettes have NO long term effects. Oh wait...
* Stimulus: Stimulus schmimulus. I'm so sick of this stimulus act already. I'll believe it when I see it.
* Press Conference: Yeah, I think I have to clip my toenails at 8pm exactly.
* Michael Steele: A politician in the midst of a scandal? NO!
* Cable News: Huh. Now that the media is questioning Obama he's got a problem with them. Go figure!
* Bailout: ENOUGH WITH THE BAILOUTS already!

In that case Org, I point to the word MUCH. And I repeat, you'll live through a stimulus package.