Reuters: Obama will call for the creation of a permanent infrastructure bank

[flpoljunkie]

Obama to announce $50 billion infrastructure job plan
REUTERS

Sep 06, 2010 08:28 EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will announce on Monday a six-year infrastructure revamp plan with an initial investment of $50 billion to jump-start job creation, a white house official said.

Obama is committed to working with the Congress to fully fund the program, which also includes a proposed infrastructure bank to leverage private capital, the official said.

Obama is to make the announcement in Milwaukee, where he will make a speech to a labor rally on Monday, the Labor Day holiday that marks the informal start of the election campaign season.

With a jobless rate near 10 percent, Democrats are facing predicted losses in the November 2 congressional elections and the Obama administration is trying to convince voters that Democratic policies can lead the way out of the country's deepest recession in 70 years.

The White House official said the proposed program will include building or rehabilitating roads, railways and runways.

The proposed infrastructure bank "would leverage private and state and local capital to invest in projects that are most critical to our economic progress," a different approach to infrastructure than the traditional way in which allocations are made more by geography and politics, the official said.

(Reporting by Ross Colvin; editing by Mohammad Zargham)

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2010/09/obama_to_announce_50_billion_infrastructure_job_pl.php?ref=fpb

[xchrom]

1. Recommend -

[NYC_SKP]

16. Me, too. (nt)

[glitch]

36. Agreed. This is a really good idea. Sounds similar to the Bank of South Dakota. nt

:applause:

[LARED]

2. Deleted

[vi5]

3. Good.....

This is the right direction. Infrastructure is important because it fixes things that are broken and that it should be government's job to fix, and more importantly it puts people to work.

I'm wary of the bit about leveraging private capital since we all know how well relying on the private sector, let alone for capital and investment and job creation works out (which is not very well given our current mess). But still as long as there's a sizable investment by the federal government and as long as it's focused on infrastructure improvement and not tax breaks then I'm all for it and all for giving an "attaboy" where it's due.

[OHdem10]

4. Will he and the Democrats get out and SELL the idea. For Gosh

sakes explain thoroughly the why's and how this is
a good plan for America. Or as usual will they permit
the Republicans paint this as another big Government
boondoggle.

Obama's problem is he has never painted America a word
picture of where he is trying to take us.

First rule of Politics--do not let your opposition define you.
This goes for governance. Do not let the opposition define
your programs.

[izquierdista]

5. So now he's going to try Democratic policies

Hasn't that 20 months of "bipartisanship" been working for you?

[ClarkUSA]

6. What are you talking about? Here are the facts about the Democratic policies he's been behind:

Read: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=375811&mesg_id=375811

You do realize that he cannot change laws via imperial edict and that he is dealing with the most obstructionist Republican Congress in history, right?

[izquierdista]

8. ZZZZZzzzzzzz

Dealing with them by capitulating most of the time.

[ClarkUSA]

9. I offer you facts but you're obviously more interested in empty rhetoric.

:boring:

[Inuca]

13. If "ZZZZzzzzz" can be called rethoric

Empty for sure though, whatever it is.

[ClarkUSA]

14. lol

:fistbump:

[Milo_Bloom]

18. Unfortunately, a series of empty victories.

A credit card reform act that doesn't really reform the credit card industry.

A health care act that does nothing to control costs or supply health CARE.

A financial reform bill that does nothing to protect against the very problems that created the financial reform mess in the first place.

A stimulus bill that wasn't nearly as effective as it could have been, in large part because of the obstructionism mentioned above, but is widely seen among the PEOPLE as a failure, since they were so desperate to declare a victory, they failed to be honest about the impact. (ie, unemployment shot WELL beyond their worst case scenarios) and yes they can play the "think how bad it would be WITHOUT the stimulus" game, but the reality is when YOU say you are doing something to keep unemployment below 9% and it gets over 10%... you face the responsibility for your poor predictions.

So, here with the stimulus package you actually have their biggest victory, which through their own damn fault has turned into a failure because they felt the need to spin the victory into more than it was!

[ClarkUSA]

21. Wrong. Most unbiased analyses refute your rhetoric.

There has been plenty of "Change" from where I stand -- just not according to you.

Here are the facts of what Pres. Obama has accomplished in 20 months:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=375811&mesg_id=375811

Take your first opinion, for example:

<< A credit card reform act that doesn't really reform the credit card industry. >>

Um, no:

The very first thing that the Reform Act done was lower interest rates. In the past, credit card companies had the ability to charge outrageous interest rates and then had the leverage to increase that rate on people who had a hard time paying their credit card payments. Credit cards had to be written off due to non payment and the amassed bad credit paid a toll on the companies. They say this contributed to the credit crisis. It did, but then again the credit card companies were still giving credit to anyone and everyone knowing that they had the option of the card being written off. Lower interest rates mean that cards will be paid off and not written off.

More benefits of credit card reform:

Fees Controlled

The biggest thing about the Credit Card Reform Act that has helped consumers is that the credit card companies can no longer charge those outrageous fees. Now they have to keep the same due date each month and not change it because someone is late on their payment. Credit card companies can no longer charge fees for payments made online or over the telephone. The little outrageous fees that the credit card companies were profiting on are now eliminated.

http://www.usmoneytalk.com/finance/credit-card-reform-act-does-this-actually-do-anything-for-anybody-909/

Here are some definitive positive changes that credit card reform created for consumers:

5 Positive Aspects Of The New Credit Card Regulations:

1. No retroactive interest increases – a credit card company cannot increase the interest rate and have it apply to a pre-existing balance.
2. Limits on Fees – the fees on a yearly credit card can be no more than 25% of the initial credit limit
3. Rates Cannot be Changed for Late payments on unrelated loans. If miss payments on an unrelated consumer loan, the credit company cannot use the practice known as universal default to increase your interest rate.
4. Application of Balance – If you pay over the minimum amount on your credit card each month, the additional amount must apply the payment to the balance with the highest interest rate.
5. Timely Billing – The credit card company cannot issue a bill several days before it is due and then charge you late fees. The bill must be issued at least 21 days before you must pay the bill each month.

Other Aspects

One aspect that may impact college age consumers is that a new credit card cannot be issued to a person who is under 21 years of age. Students in college and young people who enter the military cannot be issued credit cards. This prevents them from abusing credit, but it also prevent responsible people under the age of 21 from building credit.

http://www.usmoneytalk.com/finance/credit-card-reform-act-5-positive-aspects-for-americans-904/


<< A health care act that does nothing to control costs or supply health CARE. >>

Wrong again: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=431984&mesg_id=432492

<< A financial reform bill that does nothing to protect against the very problems that created the financial reform mess in the first place. >>

Yeah, that's why unabashed uber-liberal Barney Franks voted for it:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=334956&mesg_id=334956

:sarcasm:

I have noticed that you seem to dislike all Democrats and all Democratic legislative efforts under this Democratic president. And everyone who supports Democrats.

Why do you spend so much time on a site that supports Democrats?

[Milo_Bloom]

25. Yes, there is a LOT of spin out there.

First, the credit card companies can STILL charge outrageous fees. Nothing in the act stops that. It only stops HOW they are implemented.

"1. No retroactive interest increases – a credit card company cannot increase the interest rate and have it apply to a pre-existing balance."

Yes, they can. All they need you to do is miss 1 payment.

"2. Limits on Fees – the fees on a yearly credit card can be no more than 25% of the initial credit limit"

This was NEVER an issue.

"3. Rates Cannot be Changed for Late payments on unrelated loans. If miss payments on an unrelated consumer loan, the credit company cannot use the practice known as universal default to increase your interest rate."

Actually, they can. It is called A REVIEW and they can still do it. The only difference is that if you choose to keep your account open (you used to be able to close your account and maintain current rates), it won't apply to the previous balance; however, the actual effect is EXACTLY the same, since they lower your credit limit and raise your interest rate on future purchases, thereby effectively closing your account FOR YOU, since you have no buying power.

Is there even a point to going on? You will continue to link to BS spin posts that don't analyze the actual issues. but the reality is NOTHING CHANGED for consumers. The credit card companies still charge OUTRAGEOUS FEES and RATES with no real limit, but you want to declare victory.


As for the health care act, you link to someone who has been debunked more times than I can count. In the particular post you linked you, the poster is trying to deny the reality that the health care insurance companies adjust their profit based on adjusting costs in different places. (ie, you get your $120 preventitive dr visit for free, but your premiums go up $10 per month). It is completely nonsense spin that ignores the actual problem!

And the financial reform bill was completely dismantled by the excellent reporting of Matt Taibii and proven to be little but window dressing, ignoring the real problems.

And yes, I dislike sell out democrats who try to sell weak as water legislation that does nothing to help anyone (except protect some corporate interest) as tremendous victories we should celebrate.

What is more disgusting is the people who continue to carry water for those democrats who don't have our best interest at heart.

[ClarkUSA]

27. Facts cannot be spun, unlike rhetoric. Do you have proof for any of your claims? n/t

[Donnachaidh]

32. talk about spin -- the poster spelled out what is happening

So now what is this -- the neener neener *I'm gonna pout because you didn't post a link* argument? THAT'S mature.

Dear God. :eyes:

[ClarkUSA]

39. Milo Bloom employed plenty of rhetoric without a shred of proof to back it up. That's spin. n/t

[Milo_Bloom]

33. All I have seen offered is rhetoric so far.

I seem to be the only one offering actual facts.

Like the FACT that credit card companies haven't done away with "inactivity fees", as the credit card reform stooges claim they have. I point out the FACT that they have shifted these to MEMBERSHIP fees, which are WAIVED if you use the card (exact same fee, exact same effect, just changed the name to comply with the act).

The FACTS are there are several exceptions to the retroactive interest rate hikes, such as a late payment. And, even if you manage to get them to return your rate back to previous levels.. any purchases made during the period of higher interest... REMAIN at the higher interest rate. That is a fact.

Another FACT is that there is NO LIMIT on what your APR can be.

There is also NO LIMIT on FEES. But, wait, did you say there is a limit on FEES? What you don't know is that PENALTY FEES are EXEMPT from the limit. What a strong "limit" that has been set, eh?

And yes, credit card companies CAN issue credit cards to people under 21, so long as they SHOW the ability to make payments (ie, have a job of any type)

http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/wyntk_creditcardrules.htm

You should probably pay attention to the EXCEPTIONS to all the rules.


Here are the things that further aren't cover in the act (all of which are the CRUX of the problem).

There is nothing to stop credit card companies from offering credit to people over 21 who don't have the ability to pay.

There is nothing to stop credit card companies from encouraging people with low teaser rates only to have the interest rate jump at the end of the rate (only restriction is that the rate has to be in effect for 6 months). More credit card companies are now tying rates to variable rates, so they don't even need permission for your rates to up at all.. they just let the government do the work for them. Even cuter, most of these cards have instituted "rate floors".. that means even though it is a variable rate, it can't go BELOW a certain number... so prime can get to 1%, but you are still paying 11% because that is your FLOOR.

We now also have items such as "minimum finance fees"... have you checked out "balance transfer fees" lately? So, yeah, you can transfer that $10,000 balance from your 19% card to this 12% card and where that transfer used to be free... now there is a 4% balance transfer fee"

So, like most of the crap legislation that has been passed, credit card reform is just another example of NOT ADDRESSING THE REAL PROBLEM!




Where else would like actual facts?

[ClarkUSA]

38. That's not true. My initial reply to you was replete w/salient quotes linked to reliable sources.

I can prove it, too. Here is the link to my reply to you:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432755

You have yet to back up your claims, though.

[Milo_Bloom]

42. All claims have been backed up and linked to in my post.

And it proved the rhetoric from your post wrong.

Such as the claim "They can no longer charge those outrageous fees".. is rhetoric you posted. The FACT is that they are in fact still charging those same outrageous fees under different names.

The rhetoric of your post is that the credit card act somehow "lowered interest rates", which is a complete fabrication as NOTHING in the act actually lowers interest rates and if you had followed the link I proved, you would have learned that they can still charge OUTRAGEOUS interest rates.

All you have given is rhetoric and spin... which is EXACTLY why the democratic party is in such trouble this election cycle, because they haven't accomplished anything of REAL significance.. they just keep trying to claim they have.

[ClarkUSA]

44. That's untrue. None of your replies proved ANY of YOUR claims, much less all of them. Links here:

I see nothing here in your first reply to me:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432449

Nor your second:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432834

Nor your third:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432945

Your single source does not disprove anything in my original reply to you:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432755

[Milo_Bloom]

45. LOL. Try re-reading the third link again.

But, you proved the point from my second link quite well, "Is there even a point to going on? You will continue to link to BS spin posts that don't analyze the actual issues. but the reality is NOTHING CHANGED for consumers. The credit card companies still charge OUTRAGEOUS FEES and RATES with no real limit, but you want to declare victory."

There is obviously no point to going on, because just like some other posters, you aren't going to read the links posted to you or even the links you post to.


Just out of curiosity, which one of my OWN original claims have you failed to read the proof of???

[ClarkUSA]

46. I did. Your spin on credit card reform is noteworthy but does not change the facts I offered.

<< Just out of curiosity, which one of my OWN original claims have you failed to read the proof of???>>

These:

<< A credit card reform act that doesn't really reform the credit card industry.

A health care act that does nothing to control costs or supply health CARE.

A financial reform bill that does nothing to protect against the very problems that created the financial reform mess in the first place. >>

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432449

Here was my reply refuting your claims, complete with multiple quotes with links to multiple unbiased and credible sources:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432755

[Milo_Bloom]

47. All has been proven.

I don't know how else to help you out.

I pointed out how the credit card companies have already gotten around credit card reform act (changing the names of fees, changing to variable APRs, being able to raise fees on late payments even higher than before.) I didn't even both mentioning how they are now giving everyone corporate cards, instead of personal cards to get around the act entirely (since corporate cards aren't part of the act. Here is another link you won't read. http://www.americablog.com/2010/09/credit-card-issuers-getting-around-new.html

So, what we have is a "credit card reform act" that doesn't really reform the credit card industry, since all the same exact problems exist now as existed BEFORE the act was passed. Credit cards can STILL charge outrageous fees and interest rates. They can still offer teaser rates and then jack them afterwards and they still have NO LIMIT on how high their interest rates can go. Basically, as exactly I stated, the bill failed to address THE REAL PROBLEM.

Second, you have the heath insurance act, which did absolutely nothing about health CARE and does nothing to control costs. I don't know how to help you out here either. You just pointed to someone's posts who has been so completely and thouroughly debunked it is kinda pointless. The only "cost control" anyone can point to in the entire legislation is the 85% rule, which has failed everywhere it has been tried, since all the insurance companies do is shift job titles of some employees and they are within compliance without actually changing anything. Some nutty poster tried to claim that people getting "free preventive care" was somehow a cost savings, but failed to understand that offering "free preventive care", while raising your premiums an equal amount isn't a "savings", but a shell game. Also, NOTHING in the Health Insurance bill actually covered HEALTH CARE and the fact that the bulk of the problems are created by lack of CARE and not LACK OF INSURANCE.

So what we have is a health care act that does nothing to control costs or supply health CARE.

Finally, the joke of a financial reform bill? http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/188551?RS_show_page=0


Any other spin you want unspun for you?

[ClarkUSA]

51. What you've proven is your inability to back up all of your claims trashing Obama's accomplishments.

I'm not surprised, of course. BTW, I did read the short blurb at your link but nothing in it refutes any of the facts I offered on the efficacy of credit card reform. There are a few minor loopholes that banks have found that need to be closed which are normal growing pains for any complex piece of legislation, but overall the new regulations are a positive change for consumers.

"Credit Card Reform Makes It Easier To Pay Down Your Balance: Center For Responsible Lending"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/06/credit-card-reform-makes_n_566617.html

<< I didn't even both mentioning how they are now giving everyone corporate cards >>

"everyone"? Funny, I have ten credit cards and nobody is "giving" me "corporate cards". More hyperbole from you. :eyes:


<< Second, you have the heath insurance act, which did absolutely nothing about health CARE and does nothing to control costs.>>

Wrong again.

"CBO: Health-care reform bill cuts deficit by $1.3 trillion over 20 years, covers 95%"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x43338

Are you going to argue with the CBO now?

Your source for financial knowledge, Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi, is a professional media whore who pimps divisive drama using over-the-top rhetoric, none of which is justified as most of it is based on doomsday conjecture. He's neither an unbiased nor is he a credible source for financial analysis.

Here, try the facts:

"Senate Passes Massive Wall Street Regulation Bill"
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=10696150

I have more factual analysis from credible sources:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Senate+clears+way+for+financial+regulation+bill&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

It's clear you're not interested in acknowledging the fact that Pres. Obama's legislative accomplishments are not only historic but effective. I guess some people are in the habit of minimizing the President's efforts even when the facts say differently... while others like myself will be working hard to get our Democratic majority re-elected in November with the facts on our side.

Have a nice day. :hi:

[Milo_Bloom]

52. Great Rhetoric and Spin you got there...

I do so love the way you don't actually address anything that was said and try to keep deflecting.

again.. the credit card reform act didn't reform the credit card industry because it didn't address any of the real PROBLEMS. This "reform" bill accomplished nothing to stop credit card companies from charging outrageous fees and outrageous interest rates. They can continue to take advantage of the same groups of people they have always taken advantage of and nothing has been done to stop it. Positive change? It is NO CHANGE. As for your claim that they aren't using corporate/professional cards to get around the law... Suuuure... http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/09/whats-in-your-wallet-a-big-loophole.html "47 million professional card applications were sent out in the first quarter of this year -- representing a 250 percent increase in those kinds of offers."


I love how your links to health care have nothing to do with HEALTH CARE. You talk about trimming deficits and forcing people into insurance, but nothing about ACTUAL HEALTH CARE, which remains as horrible as it was before this nonsense bill was passed. So again, you have a HEALTH CARE LAW that does nothing to reform HEALTH CARE! Health insurance companies can raise your premiums without limit... deny care... deny treatments... no real cost controls.

And yes, i will certainly trust Matt Taibbi over the corporate media analysis. He has been a far more credible source of REAL information vs. ABC news, because he does more than just read the talking points he has been handed... you see he actually does this silly thing called research and analysis. If you actually stopped to read the article and took even a moment to understand the reasoning you would very quickly learn why we have a financial reform bill that didn't address.. THE PROBLEM.

But, then this is the real problem with the democratic party right now... too many of our representatives are too deep in the pockets of corporations, including our President and then people who claim to support democratic principles, who don't take the time to actually research the issues and just spit links to things they don't understand. They want to paint a rosy picture, when reality is far far different.

The reason it is so unlikely the democrats will get re-elected is because you don't have actual facts... You have spin and rhetoric that doesn't stand up to even a moment of scrutiny and voters can smell the BS a mile away. If people were just honest with the ACTUAL effects of this legislation... maybe you would have a chance.. but instead the legislation is sold to us as sweeping change that addresses major problems when reality is that it is tiny little tweaks that are barely effective in addressing the problems.

Heck, even the people who actually voted for the health care debacle won't run on it. http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=DE1E691B-18FE-70B2-A813ACC3D55691DE

[ClarkUSA]

54. Anyone reading through my replies knows differently. I'll post the links again now....

I'll let the facts speak for themselves against your claims of Pres. Obama's "empty victories" in Reply #18:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432449

No rhetoric or spin here:

"Credit Card Reform Makes It Easier To Pay Down Your Balance: Center For Responsible Lending"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/06/credit-card-reform-makes_n_566617.html

"CBO: Health-care reform bill cuts deficit by $1.3 trillion over 20 years, covers 95%"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x43338

"Senate Passes Massive Wall Street Regulation Bill"
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=10696150

List of 20 mos. of Obama's legislative accomplishments
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432236&mesg_id=432755

After seeing you tout GOP propaganda rags like Politico and media attention whores like Matt Taibbi as your sources for information, I now understand why your rhetoric is lacking in facts.

[Milo_Bloom]

56. Requoting spin doesn't make it real.

Nor does it address any of what I raised.

Your first article is just about paying more than your minimum and how it applies to the highest APR first.. which my cards ALWAYS did anyway, so... whoopie.

So... You still have a credit card reform bill that doesn't REFORM the credit card industry.

Your second article is about DEFICIT reduction.. not HEALTH CARE.

So... You still have a health care act that does nothing for HEALTH CARE.

And you are unable to refute the Matt Taibbi article, so you just try to attack him. When you actually find some way to REFUTE the SUBSTANCE.. let me know.

So... You still have a financial reform bill that doesn't address THE PROBLEM.

I find it amazing that you are unable/unwilling to ACTUALLY dispute these claims or the facts supporting them.

Facts: Credit card companies can STILL charge outrageous fees. They can STILL offer teaser rates that jump to much higher amounts. They can STILL gouge on interest rates. They can STILL raise your interest at any time for any reason and slash your credit at any time for any reason.

Facts: The health care bill does nothing effective to control costs and does nothing to actually improve CARE. You are still 100% at the mercy of insurance companies for your health care.

Facts: The financial reform bill doesn't attack THE PROBLEMS. It does nothing about too big to fail. It continues to allow billions of dollars to trade in secret and on highly risky ventures.

But, go ahead, keep spinning everything and tell us how good it all is and how they should be happy with the legislative crap we have been fed this last year and half and how this administration and these wonderful democrats in office have protected us from corporate interests and had working people in mind. Just don't be surprised when the people who you are spinning to don't show up to vote for you in the fall, because they might not be happy as they realize it was all just PR and SPIN and not real action.

[ClarkUSA]

57. Huh? Sources such as the CBO and the Center of Responsible Lending = "spin" to you??!

:tinfoilhat:

:crazy:

[Milo_Bloom]

58. The spin is that you are not addressing the issues.

For example. I state that nothing in the credit card reform act stops the following practices: Credit card companies ability to set outrageously high interest rates from teaser rates. Credit card companies ability to set variable rates with a FLOOR (meaning they get to play both ends and raise your interest rate when prime goes up, but they don't have to LOWER it when prime goes down). Credit card companies ability to charge outrageous fees, because LATE AND OVERPAYMENT fees are EXEMPT from the fee restrictions.

Your response to this is an article that talks about how you can pay down your debt faster by paying more than the minimum payment and you CLAIM it refutes the facts.


Another example. When I discuss portions of the health care act and point out the FACT that nothing in the act does anything about ACTUAL CARE and that the cost savings "measures" are illusory at best and are measures that have already failed, you link to an article that talks about DEFICIT SAVINGS.


You complete refusal to actually address the issues raised in Matt Taibbi's article speaks volumes.

That is the ESSENCE OF SPIN.

It is taking small unrelated bits of information to paint a picture that is false. Your links do not address the issues raised, just as the legislation signed into law doesn't ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE ROOT PROBLEMS!

[ClarkUSA]

59. I refuted your claim of Obama's "empty victories" quite well. You just won't accept the facts.

Some people prefer repeating false and negative memes meant to minimize and demonize Pres. Obama's legislative accomplishments and disparage Democratic Congressional efforts than acknowledge the truth.

"Credit Card Reform Makes It Easier To Pay Down Your Balance: Center For Responsible Lending"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/06/credit-card-reform-makes_n_566617.html

"CBO: Health-care reform bill cuts deficit by $1.3 trillion over 20 years, covers 95%"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x43338

"Senate Passes Massive Wall Street Regulation Bill"
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=10696150

[Milo_Bloom]

60. If not addressing the ISSUES is addressing the claim

then, again, you perfectly illustrate what is wrong in the democratic party.


Good luck with that. Just don't cry near me when you lose the house and senate b/c you were unable to be honest with people.

[ClarkUSA]

62. If Democrats lose control of Congress, it won't be because of me. It'll be because they didn't vote.

<<you perfectly illustrate what is wrong in the democratic party>>

No, I'm what's right in the Democratic Party: I am working every week with my local OFA group on various forms of GOTV and have been doing so for months.

What are you doing now to make sure Democrats retain their majorities in Congress?

<< when you lose the house and senate b/c you were unable to be honest with people >>

Wow, I had no idea that I had that much power over the election results! :rofl:

Pssst! Here are some facts from a credible source who knows much more about voters than you do:

If Democrats lose control of Congress, Hart argues, it's "because they didn't vote."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x433594

I plan to vote a straight Democratic ticket this fall.

Will you be voting this November? Who will you vote for? I'm asking because you seem to dislike all Democrats and all Democratic legislative efforts under this Democratic president. And everyone who supports Democrats.

Why do you spend so much time on a site that supports Democrats?

[Milo_Bloom]

65. Yes, being dishonest with people causes them to lose faith.

I am sure you understood I meant the collective YOU and not YOU specifically and are just feigning to not understand.

The reason people won't vote is because people blew sunshine up their arses and tell them how great everything is, when reality is so clear and easy to look up. It's called losing faith. People lose faith when they feel they were promised one thing and given another.

As for your questions. I will be voting in November. The only person I KNOW I am voting for right now is Barbara Boxer. I may be voting for Jerry Brown or Green Party... It will depend on various factors come election time. I will likely vote green for other offices.

I am one of those "other progressives" mentioned in the who this site is for. I DON'T support anyone just because of the letter that comes after their name. I don't corporate democrats and/or ANYONE who put the interests of corporations ahead of the interests of individuals. Despite my rabidly supporting Obama in the primaries, donating a lot of money and time to get him nominated, I have found him to be just an extension of what is wrong with the democratic party and why they are unable to hold onto power even when it should be a cakewalk for them.

[NorthCarolina]

34. Rahm, is that you? eom

[ClarkUSA]

40. What is your point? You do know that the UAW praised Rahm today, right?

Read about it here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9083987&mesg_id=9083987

[Inuca]

12. Actually this WAS a bipartisan idea

a bill introduced by Dodd and Hagel 3 years ago, coincidentally just before that bridge collapsed in Minneapolis.

[Jennicut]

41. Don't point out facts here!

}(

[ensho]

7. good! hope it gets going pronto

nt

[JVS]

10. "would leverage private and state and local capital to invest in projects"

private capital ---- projects

Is this some kind of way to start the privatization of things like the highways?

[Kdillard]

11. Good question. I don't think so but the devil is in the details.

I found this information about it on wiki hope it helps. It is supposed to work like the FDIC.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Infrastructure_Reinvestment_Bank

[bvar22]

15. Some words of advice for the Obama Administration.

Eliminate the word "BANK" from this proposal.
My Knee-Jerk reaction:
"Oh Great.
Another BANK!
Just what we need."

Get the money directly into the hands of The People who are hurting!
They will SPEND it.

This proposal May or May Not do that,
but ANYTHING with the word "BANK" in it
will be a hard sell these days.

[Inuca]

19. Should you and I and others like us

get money to build roads and bridges? I don't get it!

[bvar22]

20. Just Don't call it a "New Bank Leveraging Private Capital"

It doesn't matter what it does.
Its ALL in the Framing and Marketing.
The Republicans learned that long ago.
The Democrats haven't caught up yet.

Call it "The Patriot Fund" or something like that.

THIS is what the word "BANK" means to most Americans today:

Some rich MF taking 30% off the top
and giving themselves BIG BONUSES.

Framing & Marketing!!!

BTW: a proposed $50 Billion over 6 years PAGO is a mere drop in the bucket.
But the way things have gone over the last 4 years,
I AM applauding this.
It IS a BIG event when the Democratic Leadership publicly speculates that they might be willing let a crumb fall off the table.

[Inuca]

26. You DO have a point, I agree

(though I do not think that's what you said in your other post). Great picture, btw :-).

[karynnj]

64. They do need a catchy name - even if if it describes nothing about it

and they can have descriptions of the innovative way that they are doing it. I would like to here more about how they are planning to do this, because it sounds like there has been a large amount of thought on how to do this in a way that minimizes the cost to budget and maximizes the amount of involvement by the private sector. Both of these elements are very good, if there are also provisions to carefully monitor both public and private costs to make sure there is no fraud.

I get where "Patriot" is coming from, but I think it should be something that speaks to building America's infrastructure - the hard thing is finding something that doesn't admit that we are not the best.

"Making America Stronger"
"Creating a better future"
I'm sure they can and will come up with something better. At this point they are describing what the concept is. I would not be surprised if there is a name given to it in Obama's speech or the legislation.

[unblock]

17. $50 billion? wake me up when it's multiplied by TWENTY!

a trillion MIGHT be enough.

[ClarkUSA]

22. Wake us up when you round up the votes for that.

Or is it up to Obama to fulfill your dreams, no matter how legislatively impossible they are? I think not.

[unblock]

24. i'm not blaming obama at all.

on the contrary, i think it's a horrible indictment of our system and the current power structure, the republicans and the ultra-rich people who control far too much, that a president who i believe clearly wants to rebuild the economy can only get $50bn for something like this. in fact that's just his going-in position, he might not even get that much.

economically, we need AND CAN AFFORD much more stimulus spending, yet there's completely idiotic resistance to actually fixing the economy properly.

[ClarkUSA]

30. Thanks for explaining your position. I understand and agree totally.

:hi:

[bvar22]

28. It IS up to Obama .

He IS the LEADER of our Party!
It is his JOB to Hard Sell this!

"Strong and successful presidents (meaning those who get what they want - whether that happens to be good for the country or not) do not accept "the best deal on the table". They take out their carpentry tools and the build the goddam piece of furniture themselves. Strong and successful presidents do not get dictated to by the political environment. They reshape the environment into one that is conducive to their political aspirations."


http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/07/17

[ClarkUSA]

29. It is ultimately up to Congress to vote for it, which is why Kerry has promised to introduce a bill.

Read more about it: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=432904&mesg_id=432904

<< He IS the LEADER of our Party!
It is his JOB to Hard Sell this! >>

What do you think he was doing today? :shrug:

[flpoljunkie]

31. I could not agree more. It is time for President Obama to lead.

And, he made a damn good start today!

[unblock]

43. NO president has enough power to engineer ANYTHING themselves.

all presidents -- heck, all leaders, dictators included -- are at best top dog within a group that wields more power than any other group. the top dog can make small decisions without challenge, of course, giving the illusion of total control. however, if the top dog in any group tries to do something the group REALLY doesn't want to do, he will meet resistance if not challenge or even be overthrown, one way or another.

fdr was able to appear as a strong leader because he had often astoundingly huge majorities in congress. shrub was able to get away (for a while, anyway) with the image of being a strong leader because he had massive support among the ownership of the bought and paid for media.

obama and his advisors can surely do the math, allowing for the fact that they can goose public support for anything by sending the president out on a speaking tour to promote whatever it is they want to accomplish. if they see something with 40% support, surely they figure that obama can get that up over 50% with a handful of speeches. however, if something has 30% support, they know obama can't move mountains, and that he would only damage himself by trying. note, of course, that not all hinges on public support -- the money is hugely important, as congress is clearly slave to lucre.

i think i've got a pretty good handle on just how strongly corporate america controls the real power that i have much sympathy for obama or anyone else who attempt to do anything the runs counter to these vastly powerful and relentless interests.

[bvar22]

48. The Public Option had 70% support...

so :shrug:

"Strong and successful presidents (meaning those who get what they want - whether that happens to be good for the country or not) do not accept "the best deal on the table". They take out their carpentry tools and the build the goddam piece of furniture themselves. Strong and successful presidents do not get dictated to by the political environment. They reshape the environment into one that is conducive to their political aspirations."


http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/07/17

"If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for,
at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them."
--- Paul Wellstone


I refuse to believe that President Obama is either weak, or an idiot.
Obama has gotten everything he has wanted.

[unblock]

50. 70% support among the public. where's the money?

power in this country is not simply among the people's majority opinion.

if the campaign contributions don't match, the public support is nearly meaningless.

[bvar22]

53. Your response is a shockingly honest admission...

..that the Democratic Party has sold out to the Highest Corporate Bidder,
and that Working Class Americans can "Like it or Lump it."

I will NOT go quietly into that Good Night.

The Democratic Party of my parents and the Party I joined in the 60s was NOT the "Show Me the Money Party"
...THAT was The Republicans.
I don't believe Nader was right,
but You seen to be indicating that he was.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[unblock]

55. there is a difference. republicans LIKE this system

democrats merely recognize and do the best they can within it.

without media reform and SERIOUS campaign financing reform, i don't know how obama or anyone else could possibly do any more than, broadly speaking, tinker at the edges. you can't simply push the plan that has 70% public support if you KNOW it will simply get corporations to donate tons of money to republicans and a few conservadems, get your plan defeated, and then you lose the next election. you have to push for what you can.

but power is more than what happens in washington, and it's high time we bought ourselves a media outlet to project a solidly liberal voice. i'll let you know when i'm a billionaire....

[flpoljunkie]

23. The $50 billion is seed money to startup the infrastructure bank.

[Arkana]

63. Whip more than ten votes combined in both houses and then talk to me.

Obama's not Hugo Chavez and he can't enact things by imperial edict. Like it or not, we have to work with Congress--they get a say in passing laws too.

[proud patriot]

35. Yes !

:woohoo:

[vaberella]

37. This is a brilliant program. I hope it goes through.

That's a great idea. Thanks for the post.

[JCMach1]

49. Infrastructure doesn't go far enough, we need to invest in new companies as well

Only I am sure the Wall Street banks have made sure Obama doesn't bogart their turf.

[craigmatic]

61. fuck a plan only one thing can save the dems in congress now- a unifying message

and a series of major Obama speeches couldn't hurt either.