Organizing for America | Daniel Blum's Blog: Hopeful signs in stimulus legislation process

Hopeful signs in stimulus legislation process

By Independent Voter for Obama - Jan 24th, 2009 at 10:36 am EST

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Tags: bipartisan, bipartisanism, bipartisanship, debt, independent, Independents, maryland, stimulus, stimulus package, tax, Taxes

As an independent voter who was/is a strong Obama supporter I'm watching the stimulus legislation negotiations for signs that the new administration will deliver on the promise of change to the partisan political process. So far I'm encouraged that Obama and the Republican leadership are at least talking and have some hope that the result will be better, more balanced legislation.

Just by way of background, in 2000 President Bush had also run partly on the promise of a bipartisan approach. Apparently he was not sincere because there was almost nothing bipartisan about his 8 years except briefly after the 2001 attacks when the Democrats came to him.

I believe that Obama is sincere about bipartisanship but I'm still afraid that the strong partisan currents will sweep his good intentions away. I'm enough of a realist to understand that partisanship will remain, but enough of an idealist to hope that our elected representatives may sometimes choose in favor of the greater good of the country rather than partisan advantage and that balanced, moderate legislation may sometimes result.

In the latest report on the stimulus neogtations I see both good and bad signs http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/24/AR2009012400661.html.

Bad:

- The Republicans say they were completely shut out of the stimulus drafting process

- The legislation bears some Congressional Chrismas tree imprints; such as money for the National Endowment for the Arts. (I don't object to funding the arts but don't understand why that should be in the jobs bill. Bills should be kept clean and specific to their purpose, not used as a way to sneak in funding for other things in a non-transparent manner)

- The bill will be very expensive and I don't understand how our country will ever pay off all its debts and if/when foreigners stop buying our Treasury bills we'll be ruined

Good:

-Obama met with the Republican leadership, listened to their input, and hopefully gave them reason to be constructive and bipartisan in their turn

- One of the ideas that Obama and the Democrats will reportedly consider is abatement of the effect of the AMT tax. (This tax is an abomination because it continually increases without Congressional transparency and accountability. And its abatement is arguably stimulative to the economy so it is not another Christmas tree ornament.)

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Some Thoughts | Report to Admin

By James from Brooklyn, NY Jan 24th 2009 at 10:51 am EST (Updated Jan 24th 2009 at 10:51 am EST)

Printing money will be hyper-inflationary unles it is backed by something viable. While there is need to put coin into people's pockets in a sales and service economy, the need to back the dollars with new factories, energy/data grid, better structure energy efficiency, etc. is necessary for sustained growth of middle class income. The lessons of the 29 crash, not paying workers enough to pay for the goods produced was lost by our elected officials.

Long-term | Report to Admin

By Torgny V.O.B. Jan 24th 2009 at 11:07 am EST (Updated Jan 24th 2009 at 11:07 am EST)

Obama is proposing money for both short-term and long-term solutions. And art is really creating jobs on long term. If we look at history, periods of great art and music have contributed to much in human development.

If we only focus on short term "create-jobs" we will probably only allow the present system to continue to destroy the economy.

Working with the business community, too | Report to Admin

By J from Scottsdale, AZ Jan 24th 2009 at 10:07 pm EST (Updated Jan 24th 2009 at 10:07 pm EST)

I hope that Obama, his economic team, and Congress can work together to get a sensible stimulus package passed quickly.

I recently saw articles on a few newspaper websites talking about how Obama was working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to make sure that the stimulus package was smart and effective at fixing the economic problems, now and into the future. I take that as a very positive sign, since Democrats haven't always worked closely with the business community.

The main points of their discussions have been making sure that the stimulus package includes tax relief, infrastructure funding, housing industry tax credits to assist homeowners, and reducing borrower & lending fees through the Small Business Administration. Of course, there are other items that need to be in the stimulus package, but I agree with all four of those ideas.

I noticed that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is asking for input from the public to let them know which of those proposals they support the most. The Chamber can then use that data in their discussions with Obama and members of Congress. Make sure to vote in their poll here - Link

Supporting Obama to support indies | Report to Admin

By Gwen from New York, NY Jan 25th 2009 at 12:41 am EST (Updated Jan 25th 2009 at 12:41 am EST)

Hi Daniel,

As an independent thought you'd be interested in the open letter that's being circulated and sent to President Obama asking him for his support on open primaries and to appoint a political reform task force. As someone who knows fully well the importance of open primaries (w/o them he wouldn't have won), and who has articulated that "Change" comes from the outside, strengthening the bond between the new administration and independents is key to changing political culture. Please sign and pass along. Hard copies of the petition can be downloaded at Link
Gwen

Sign at
Link

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