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Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 7:32:08 PM   
Thadius


Posts: 5091
Joined: 10/11/2005
Status: offline 		Well today was a somewhat exciting day in the Mid-Michigan area, we had a visit from the VP, one of our senators and the Lt. Gov.

The big message from the whole thing could be summed up as "the recovery act is working". While unemployment is down slightly from its high in Sept, we are still at the highest rate in the nation at 14.6%. U of M projects the average here for 2010 to be 15.8% and 15.4% in 2011. With projections like this it is hard to accept the idea that "the worst is behind us" that the current administration is putting forth.

Today was the start of a massive get the message out tour by the administration, expect to see them in an area or on television near you.

Anyways, my question still unanswered is "If the stimulus package was such an emergency, and each and every dollar was vital to it, why has only 1/3 of it been spent so far?" Seems pretty simple, no?

I have my own thought on the matter, I believe it is because the majority of the money is to be used as a slush fund to help by votes. By this I mean expect to see large sums spent in districts where certain congressional members are facing really tough races. I mean what other reason would there be to hold off on spending $500 Billion + until a year after that spending has been approved? Obviously, it wasn't to create jobs or help the economy recover as soon as possible.

Mostly venting, but what do you have to say about this issue? Am I just being too cynical?

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 7:36:31 PM   
thishereboi


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Status: offline 		I keep hearing about how "new claims" for unemployment are dropping. I don't see any business doing any better though. Just more closing. Of course at this point most people in this area are already on unemployment. So I am not sure what the number of "new claims" is supposed to mean.




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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 7:38:58 PM   
Thadius


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quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi

I keep hearing about how "new claims" for unemployment are dropping. I don't see any business doing any better though. Just more closing. Of course at this point most people in this area are already on unemployment. So I am not sure what the number of "new claims" is supposed to mean.




Yep, and it also doesn't include folks that have exhausted their benefits, or just gave the hell up.

On the lighter side of things, today I saw a gas station asking for resumes for a cashier opening.

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 7:41:13 PM   
Musicmystery


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quote:

most people in this area are already on unemployment


51%?

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 7:45:42 PM   
Thadius


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

quote:

most people in this area are already on unemployment


51%?

C'mon Tim. It was obviously a statement of observation (subjective opinion) and not stated as a fact.

Just like it seems that most of the adults in my township are on disability, with the rest of them being unemployed. Which reflects what I see every day, I know that more than 50% of the folks in the area of age are working at least part time.

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When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends." ~ Japanese Proverb

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 7:53:52 PM   
Musicmystery


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Status: offline 		I know, Thadius.

But that's the point in my joke. People base their "analysis" on subjective perception, not data.

Yes, very human. People do things for emotional reasons. But reality continues to be governed by factual reasons.

That basic dichotomy lies at the heart of the partisan impasse from which this nation intends to hang itself.

"I do not forget the gravity which should characterize a paper addressed to the Congress of the nation by the Chief Magistrate of the nation. Nor do I forget that some of you are my seniors, nor that many of you have more experience than I, in the conduct of public affairs. Yet I trust that in view of the great responsibility resting upon me, you will perceive no want of respect yourselves, in any undue earnestness I may seem to display.

"Is it doubted, then, that the plan I propose, if adopted, would shorten the war, and thus lessen its expenditure of money and of blood? Is it doubted that it would restore the national authority and national prosperity, and perpetuate both indefinitely? Is it doubted that we here--Congress and Executive--can secure its adoption? Will not the good people respond to a united, and earnest appeal from us? Can we, can they, by any other means, so certainly, or so speedily, assure these vital objects? We can succeed only by concert. It is not "can any of us imagine better?" but, "can we all do better?" The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise -- with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.

"Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how to save it. We -- even we here -- hold the power, and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free -- honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just -- a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless."

--Abraham Lincoln

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 8:10:16 PM   
Thadius


Posts: 5091
Joined: 10/11/2005
Status: offline 		Even with the dirty trick of quoting one of my favorites, I say to you then stand with me and let's make a difference. I can definitely put my city, state, and this republic before myself, I have in the past and would be willing to do so again.


Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable - a most sacred right - a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world.
~ Abraham Lincoln


Oh and to make sure that is not taken out of context I add:


Ballots are the rightful and peaceful successors to bullets.
~ Abraham Lincoln


Just a simple man,
Thadius

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 8:24:08 PM   
Musicmystery


Posts: 30259
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Status: offline 		That's why you're my kind of people, my friend.

Now if we could get a few more in Washington.





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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/16/2010 10:38:27 PM   
TheHeretic


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From: California, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Thadius
Am I just being too cynical?



In this political climate, Thad, I don't think there is any such thing as "too cynical."

I'm kind of wondering how it is going to play when the food stamp raise expires a month before the election.

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/17/2010 5:13:24 AM   
thishereboi


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quote:


But that's the point in my joke.


Oh, that was a joke. Sorry, I wasn't sure what your were on about.

Oh and Thadius, thanks for understanding.


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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/17/2010 5:20:29 AM   
servantforuse


Posts: 6363
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Status: offline 		It certainly isn't improving here in the Milwaukee area. In one suburb an opening for trash pickup was advertised. This job pays well and for 1 opening there were 400 applications.

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/17/2010 5:53:37 AM   
DomImus


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Thadius
Am I just being too cynical?


I don't think the slush fund theory holds much water. They were "not spending" the funds well before the Dems started feeling any heat. It could end up being spent in that fashion but I don't think that was the initial intent. If they try that it would not be too hard to connect the dots and expose it and the last thing they need is being blamed for that kind of chicanery before the mid term elections.

Beyond that it is an excellent question. Why hasn't the money been spent to try to create jobs if that's what its intent was and it had to passed yesterday.


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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/17/2010 6:25:16 AM   
Thadius


Posts: 5091
Joined: 10/11/2005
Status: offline 		Today is the one year anniversary of the stimulus being signed into law.

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/17/2010 7:28:09 AM   
Louve00


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Joined: 2/1/2009
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Thadius

Mostly venting, but what do you have to say about this issue? Am I just being too cynical?


I think anything from Biden is just hot air.  If anything were to happen to Obama, I think we'd be in trouble (or bigger trouble, depending on how you're looking at things).  I mean....after being asked to play down the swine flu and hype that was scaring everyone, he gets on the air and tells everyone he wouldn't allow his family or himself to ride a subway for fear of getting it!

As far as jobs go, we know from the numbers its a bleak situation.  Of the two jobs I do have, one (in customer service) has actually picked up and is doing well as businesses try desperately to keep their clients.  The other (in sales) has become my secondary job.  The economy is just tanked out.

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For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are. - Niccolo Machiavelli

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/17/2010 4:38:26 PM   
DomImus


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Thadius
Today is the one year anniversary of the stimulus being signed into law.


I got it. I was just using "had to be passed yesterday" as a euphemism for something that has be done immediately.


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"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." Sidney J. harris

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/17/2010 4:41:35 PM   
Thadius


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Status: offline 		I caught your meaning. My response was more of a fast reply as I had just realized why the visit occured and the big push of bragging was starting.

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When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends." ~ Japanese Proverb

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RE: Visit from the VP... - 2/17/2010 4:44:43 PM   
DomImus


Posts: 2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Thadius
I caught your meaning. My response was more of a fast reply as I had just realized why the visit occured and the big push of bragging was starting.


Good call. I had not made that connection.


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"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." Sidney J. harris

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