Stimulus for Economy or Congressional Approval Ratings? Pelosi caves again - 20 weeks vs. $300

[jackstraw45]

From http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_go_co/economy_stimulus;_ylt=AuuRVynQ_cJ4qVBQPRyicq2s0NUE

"Another element of the plan is a package of tax breaks for businesses that could cost $70 billion, far more than had been expected, said a senior House aide and a Democratic lobbyist said."

"Pelosi, D-Calif., agreed to drop increases in food stamp and unemployment benefits during a Wednesday meeting in exchange for gaining rebates of at least $300 for almost everyone earning a paycheck."

____________________

Ted Kennedy's bill, the "Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act" effectively killed by Pelosi stated: "Experts agree that extending unemployment benefits is the best way to stimulate the economy." The act would provide "20 more weeks of benefits to eligible workers with an additional 13 weeks in states with high unemployment."

Sorry - but I think a family on food stamps and needing unemployment benefits could have used an increase in those vital programs rather than a one-time $300 gimmick. An 20 week extension of benefits would have easily surpassed the effect of a one-time payment without extending unemployment benefits.

Oh wait it's an election year - it's time for Congress to act as if they care about the economy. And we all remember those "rebates" did SO much last time... :eyes:

Thanks for the election year gimmick, Nancy - my head needs to explode now.

[fasttense]

1. Pelosi and Reid believe that the opposition party was voted in

to continue to do as the bushes said.

[AlinPA]

2. She admires him the way a junior high cheerleader would admire the star quarterback

[jackstraw45]

3. I LOVE how Pelosi and Reid feel these photo-ops with Bush HELP them...

We need to CLEAN HOUSE. Said it in 2006 and I'll say it again...

[rateyes]

4. Every time she negotiates with Bush...

she caves like a Utah mine.

[Fresh_Start]

5. The joys of bipartisanship when only one side wants to be bipartisan

in fairness to Nancy,
1) low wage earners are a bigger population and need assistance as well
2) assistance now is better than assistance 20 weeks after you lose your job
but the package should have had both immediate assistance and remediation for the people who have already been hurt - extended unemployment, food stamps, utilities assistance, etc

[jackstraw45]

8. It's about FAIRNESS in bipartisanship and standing up for the American people

Yet ANOTHER giveaway, LARGER than expected ($70-80 BILLION)GIVEAWAY to big business, IMO, is NOT an equal to GUTTING 20-33 extra weeks of unemployment benefits/food stamps.

Just ONCE I'd like the Dems in Congress to be tough, stand their ground and say - mayhbe, we'll give you maybe $30 BILLION for big business, we'll give $300 to folks AND an extra 15 weeks of benefits.

But NO...big business rules the day again. The poor/hurting get screwed. What a bipartisan MIRACLE!

[Fresh_Start]

9. just for once, I'd like to see bipartisanship without a giveaway

for business. I would view that as a sign that the GOP was actually interested in bipartisanship

Like you I see filet mignon for business, ground chuck with byproducts for humans

[jackstraw45]

13. More like the gristle....nt

nt

[EVDebs]

6. Another poster on DU has this suggestion: Raise the minimum wage

...either that or start taxing CEO year-end bonuses etc. that get offshored and outsource jobs with a stock pay-off to the bastards to boot with our give-away tax system that favors the top 1%.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2756155

[peacetalksforall]

7. Why oh why did I think that we were lucky to get her as Speaker. I thought

she was a fighter and articulate and would be ideal. Why do they keep pulling the rug out from under us with their pro=Republican agenda and acquiescence?

[A wise Man]

10. Let's face it DU'ers

These sob's and "B's" don't give a damn one way about what we think or want. They are all in it together, like two peas in a pot. The only resolve we as a people have left is to Physically and forcefully kick their fat pocket lying do nothing Dem and Repug asses out. The sorry MF's.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. I want to know what the hell the $70 billion for businesses is about!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. All of them are indulging in bi-partisan CYA.

The "stimulus" is to their collective asses that their attempting to cover with a useless gesture.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. When LBJ was in the Senate, he would have found ways to get what he wanted

He was a master horse trader.

If I were House majority leader, I'd put together a package that left out the tax breaks for businesses. When Bush vetoed it, I would yell it from the rooftops that Bush vetoed financial relief for hardworking Americans just because we didn't throw in goodies for big business. Then I'd submit the bill as many times as it took, loudly publicizing each veto.

[radfringe]

15. piece of crap with a bow

I'm ready to dump the dems and go independent.. what a freaking pile of useless idiots... worse than the rubberstamping republics...

grumble...grumble..grumble...

we need long term solutions not election year gimmicks

[jackstraw45]

16. They really couldn't be more transparent.

Meanwhile, the corporate media plays along.