Also see: Obama
"Obama pledges help for middle class; Cancels Bush policies that unions fought" by David Stout, New York Times | January 31, 2009
WASHINGTON - On yet another morning of grim economic news, President Obama yesterday sought to further distance himself from his predecessor as he announced steps that he said would strengthen organized labor and improve the lot of middle-class Americans.
At a White House ceremony, the president signed three executive orders that reversed Bush administration policies in an effort to "level the playing field" for labor against management.
Soon afterward, Vice President Joe Biden drew applause when he flung another dart at former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney (on Cheney's 68th birthday) as he told labor officials in the audience, "Welcome back to the White House."
Obama, following up on his Thursday condemnation of "shameful" bonuses for Wall Street bankers, seized on the latest economic numbers to push yet again for enactment of his $800 billion-plus economic stimulus package.
Sort of talking out of the both sides of his mouth there, ain't he?
Who Bought Obama's Inauguration?
He and Biden spoke not long after the Commerce Department reported that, in the fourth quarter, the nation's gross domestic product shrank by the fastest pace in a quarter-century.
The orders Obama signed would require federal contractors to offer jobs to current workers when contracts change, and would make it more difficult for federal contractors to discourage union activities. Union officials said the moves would undo Bush administration policies that tilted toward employers.
In addition, Biden said the first meeting of the previously announced task force "to bring together those Cabinet members who have the greatest impact on the well-being of the middle class" would be Feb. 27 in Philadelphia and would focus on alternative-energy jobs.
Pfffftt!
The task force will look at issues as diverse as healthcare and college opportunities, Biden said, and will also focus on "restoring the balance in the workplace." It will be led by Jared Bernstein, a prominent liberal economist.
And coincidentally, Jewish.
Future monthly meetings will be held across the country to discuss the mundane but essential concerns of working people such as childcare, workplace safety, and retirement security, the vice president said. The administration has set up a website that Biden said would tell people what their government is doing and invite them to share their thoughts.
You want my thoughts, Joe?
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"Obama readies spending plan" by Philip Elliott, Associated Press | February 1, 2009
WASHINGTON - President Obama yesterday promised to lower mortgage costs, offer job-creating loans for small businesses, get credit flowing, and rein in free-spending executives as he readies a new road map for spending billions from the second installment of the financial rescue plan.
I thought they got that the first time, but.... and oh yeah, the credit "crisis":
U.S. Banks Driving Credit Crunch ON PURPOSE!!
Bush Administration Created Credit Crunch Crisis
Lenders abruptly cut lines of credit
The White House is deciding how to structure the remaining half of the $700 billion that Congress approved last year to save financial institutions and lenders. An announcement was possible as early as this coming week on an approach that would use a range of tools to unfreeze credit, helping families and businesses....
How is taking OUR MONEY and LOANING IT BACK to us WITH INTERESTS helping us? I am tired of the unrepentant and unremitting MSM lying, people.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is trying to finish a plan to overhaul the bailout program begun in the Bush administration. Geithner has said the administration is considering using a government-run "bad bank" to buy up financial institutions' bad assets. But some officials now say that option is gone because of potential costs.
I thought that was the original idea.
Where'd the rest of the money go? Nobody knows!
Many ideas under consideration could end up costing hundreds of billions beyond the original price tag. Aides would not rule out the possibility that the administration would seek more than the $350 billion already set aside.
I would BET ON IT, AmeriKa! Bet everything you have!!!!
Obama said Geithner soon would announce a new strategy "for reviving our financial system that gets credit flowing to businesses and families. We'll help lower mortgage costs and extend loans to small businesses so they can create jobs. We'll ensure that CEOs are not draining funds that should be advancing our recovery."
Yeah, right.
His administration "will insist on unprecedented transparency, rigorous oversight, and clear accountability so taxpayers know how their money is being spent and whether it is achieving results." Obama's message, largely repackaged from a week of White House statements, was as much for the country as it was for lawmakers: Pass the separate American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, or things are going to get worse.
How can he KNOW THAT?
That's the SAME SHIT we heard about the $700 BILLION LOOTING, asshole!!!
This is CHANGE?
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