President Obama's Speech to the House Democratic Issues Conference
But you talk to Ted Strickland and what's happening in Ohio, and you ask him whether they need some relief in terms of the unemployment insurance rates that are going sky-high, and him having to pick up all kinds of folks who are suddenly seeking food stamps who had been working all their lives — and he'll tell you that this not something that we're just doing to grow government. We're doing this because this is what the best minds tell us needs to be done. That's point number one.
Point number two: When they start talking about, well, we need more tax cuts — we started this package with a healthy amount of tax cuts in the mix, recognizing that some tax cuts can be very beneficial, particularly if they're going to middle class and working families that will spend that money. (Applause.) That's not me talking; that's the economists talking, who insisted that they're most likely to spend and get that money into circulation and stimulate the economy.
Now, in fact, when we announced the bill, you remember — this is only about, what, two weeks ago? When we announced the framework — and we were complimented by Republicans, saying, boy, this is a balanced package, we're pleasantly surprised. And suddenly, what was a balanced package needs to be put out of balance? Don't buy those arguments.
Then there's the argument, well, this is full of pet projects. When was the last time that we saw a bill of this magnitude move out with no earmarks in it? Not one. (Applause.) And when you start asking, well, what is it exactly that is such a problem that you're seeing, where's all this waste and spending? Well, you know, you want to replace the federal fleet with hybrid cars. Well, why wouldn't we want to do that? (Laughter.) That creates jobs for people who make those cars. It saves the federal government energy. It saves the taxpayers energy. (Applause.)
So then you get the argument, well, this is not a stimulus bill, this is a spending bill. What do you think a stimulus is? (Laughter and applause.) That's the whole point. No, seriously. (Laughter.) That's the point. (Applause.)
So — I mean, I get carried away. (Laughter.) We've got to leave some time for questions and answers. Here's the point I'm making. This package is not going to be absolutely perfect, and you can nit and you can pick, and that's the game we all play here. We know how to play that game. What I'm saying is, now we can't afford to play that game. We've got to pull together.
There are going to be some things that don't get included that each of us would like to see included. All of us are going to have to make some sacrifices. And we have to accommodate the interests of a range of people. And the House is going to have to work with the Senate. But let's think big right now. Let's not think small. Let's not think narrowly.
Just as past generations of Americans have done in trying times, we can — and must — turn this moment of challenge into one of opportunity. The plan that you've passed has at its core a simple idea: Let's put Americans to work doing the work that America needs done. (Applause.)
This plan will save or create over three million jobs — almost all of them in the private sector.
This plan will put people to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges; our dangerously deficient dams and levees.
This plan will put people to work modernizing our health care system. That doesn't just save us billions of dollars, it saves countless lives, because we'll reduce medical errors. (Applause.)
This plan will put people to work renovating more than 10,000 schools — (applause) — giving millions of children the chance to learn in 21st century classrooms, and libraries and labs — creating new scientists for a new future.
Reader Comments
checks
dear people this man is out to pad his pockets not help the needy he don't care about us . If he did he would send out another stimulis check to help the people
Economy
Hello - I wanted to share this story I just read with the President in hopes he will take a second look at his decisions regarding taxes and the stimulas.
This is an actual letter from a small business owner in the Chicago area written to his employees.
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interest. First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last year's Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don't see is the back story.
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.
My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the Goodwill store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages and
lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had. So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9 am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5 pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old spec
No commentary on social structure
Nothing in this speech goes to fixing the broken down engine of the American Economy - Men.
Men are the backbone of production and construction in all westernised economies, there can be no disputing that, women run the service industries, end of story. In terms of value adding men do it, women sometimes do it, it is implicit in the jobs that either sex chooses to do.
Yet, men are the ones who get boned up the backside by the law,and women are the takers in the game with the government providing cops and lawyers to what is largely an undeserving group in the economy, the lesser productive sector.
This demoralises men, they see no reason to go to work, and when they are at work, they are not as productive as they could be because they know their efforts will be garnished, sequestered - never to be returned, this is not a good investment in Americas economic future - 50% of marriages break down, 70% of the filers are women, women receive the bulk of the assets in the split, the kids, the house, the car, the cash, the paid for childcare, and even alimony for women quite capable of paying their own way. This is done to your men through your divorce laws and violence against women [VAWA] laws. The law stupidly presumes to give troublemakers a reward for doing nothing, that is evident in the fact that 70% of women initiate / start / agitate for / begin / make happen the violence that then befalls them, and then, unable to match the opponent that they have chosen to combat - a man - they end up being 95% of the victims, when in reality the man is the end victim.. 95% of the time, and your economy is the next victim of this vile stupidity.
I am not saying that it is right for men to attack women, what I am saying is that it is wrong for your society to condone the initiation of violence by one party and *reward* this by locking up the bloke who was merely defending himself - remember - 70% of the time!! It is wrong to lock up a man and impugn him for the rest of his life on a whim of a woman, because she 'fears' him on some supposition of violence that she has started, he may be just bristling to warn her against proceeding with what ever dangerous behaviour she is engaging in, then hey presto - 911, poof!! man gone - how handy is that???
Your laws have to be ammended, they have to be re-cast in the light of the actual statistics involving violence. For example, the VAWA must be scrapped and a return to common law assault be effected, as it is set out in your constitution!! The law should be forced to recognise who the initiator of the violence is and punish that initiation, for without it no violence would exist.
Your divorce laws should be cast to give men the rewards for their troubles in working to provide for the family that they bought into existence, instead of them being relegated to a life of slavery to some flibittygibbit's tea party life style.
You need to give your men hope and rewards, then your economy will recover.
Obama - fix it!!
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