Obama promises aggressive growth measures
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama said on Saturday his plan to create at least 2.5 million new jobs included the largest infrastructure investment since the 1950s and a huge effort to reduce U.S. government energy use.
(I agree that fixing our infrastructure is necessary and a good way to stimulate the economy.) L.C.
The United States will also make a big push to expand access to high-speed Internet and modernize school buildings across the country, he said.
"We need action -- and action now," Obama said in the Democratic Party's weekly radio address, one day after government data showed U.S. employers had axed 533,000 jobs in November, the most in 34 years.
Obama, who takes office on January 20, has promised to move quickly to pull the U.S. economy out of a recession which has already pushed the unemployment rate to 6.7 percent and could take it above 8 percent by late next year.
He has started by asking his economic team to come up with a plan to create at least 2.5 million new jobs by 2011. Congress is also expected to pass a hefty new economic stimulus bill in January that could be ready for Obama's signature immediately after he is sworn in.
"First, we will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy-efficient. Our government now pays the highest energy bill in the world," Obama said.
(I'm not quite sure how much of a savings we would achieve comparing the costs of making public buildings more energy versus the savings in the actual utility bill. This seems more like a long-term goal.) L.C.
Replacing old heating systems and installing energy efficient light bulbs in federal buildings would save taxpayers billions of dollars, as well as create new jobs, he said.
Millions of new jobs would also come from "the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s," Obama said, without providing a precise amount.
Under the plan, states would lose federal money unless they act quickly to build or repair roads and bridges.
"We'll set a simple rule -- use it or lose it," he said.
Obama's plan, which he said would be fleshed out in greater detail in coming weeks, includes modernizing schools to make them energy efficient and putting new computers in classrooms.
"We'll also renew our information superhighway. It is unacceptable that the United States ranks 15th in broadband adoption," he said.
Obama said he wants to hook more schools and libraries up to the Internet and also ensure U.S. hospitals are connected to each other electronically.
Making sure that every doctor's office and hospital in the United States is using cutting edge technology and electronic medical records would "cut red tape, prevent medical mistakes and save billions of dollars each year," he said.
(I believe that modernizing our schools is a plus. The internet has the capacity to close the gap education if used correctly.) L.C.
What is your opinion? Do you believe Barack Obama is on the right track or are we beyond repair here in the United States? Do you believe that we should just sit back and let the markets and our form of capitalism adjust and fix itself?
Lloyd
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 52
I don't like taking on further debt when our bank account is already depleted, but hopefully what Barack Obama plans to do will be considered more of an investment as opposed to more meaningless spending
Lloyd
M.L. King said to the effect that a riot is the voice of the unheard so in reality this economic down turn can make for very volitile situation.
We all know that many people used that money to pay bills or buy goods from Wal-Mart that benefited the Chinese government.
Since our whole country is in need of infrastructure repair, there will be employment opportunities for everyone, including the poor.
Doing nothing, as President Bush has done, is no longer an option.
I can't think of anyone more qualified and ready to face the mounting issues facing the American people.
How would that benefit the American people. I truly think he has the best interest of the American people at heart.
Barack Obama is not the only one wanting to put an end to the war in Iraq. The majority of Americans want the same.
Why should he go against the will of the American people? Aren't they the ones who should make the final decision?
I'm a realist. I understand that everything he promised, during the Presidential campaign, will be hard to achieve, but at least he recognizes the problems and is willing to make an attempt to deal with them.
Do you believe that John McCain could have delivered on all his campaign promises?
In an age when new technology is growing exponentially (think of phones and computers becoming obsolete faster and faster), the idea of a large unemployed class looms large. It's no longer a Star Trek philosophy anymore, it's real.
I think Barack Obama's plan not to tax the first $60,000 dollars of income earned by senior citizens is a great starting place.
As for those unable to work, I haven't had time to think about what Barack Obama could do to make life a little easier for them.
Maybe he could consider making disability payments equivalent to earning a living wage.
I have to give this more thought.
Thanks for bringing this plan to our attention, Lloyd. The times sure are scary with all of the layoffs. People can't contribute to the economy without the necessary jobs to keep things flowing.
Times are surely getting worse. Something needs to be done quickly. We can't allow this downturn to just fester on.
I too believe that Barack Obama has the best interest of the American people in mind as opposed to President Bush who worked in favor of the lobbyist.
I wouldn't have enjoyed being schooled at home.
EVERY Politician is self serving, corrupt and dishonest to some degree, just some are more dishonest and corrupt than others, Obama is one that I truly believe is on the more corrupt end.
Politics isn't about helping people, or helping the country, its about helping themselves.
Mooch
Replacing old heating systems and installing energy efficient light bulbs in federal buildings would save taxpayers billions of dollars, as well as create new jobs, he said. I'm not sure how I personally feel about this. My distrust of government spending is pretty strong. When they've been known to spend hundreds of dollars for a $30 wrench, this particular choice is not one I trust to be done cost efficiently. Can it be? Probably. But I think that it will be hard for it to be monitored well, at least in the early stages of his term. Too many departments, too many people, too many areas to keep an eye on, before the system is fixed.
"We'll set a simple rule -- use it or lose it," That rule is already in effect for many programs and it's been abused too often. Toward the end of the time limit the money left in the fund is often spent irrationally, just to use it up. I hope Obama can refine the plan with better monitoring. If memory serves (don't count on it), the states are penalized if monies are returned (by less being available to them). This promotes the inefficient spending at the end of the funding term, rather than encourages well-thought out spending, with the emphasis on quality and costs. I'd like to see a federal system set up to use the "We'll set a simple rule -- use it or lose it," ideal, but with the added factor of rewarding states who use the monies wisely and who return unneeded funding........or at least leaving them with the assurance that they won't be penalized because of it.
There's a lot at stake. In my heart, I truly believe that he has the best interest of the American people in mind.
If anyone has a reason to leave behind a legacy in good standing, it is Barack Obama.
He has put so much hope in so many people and it would be a disaster if he turned out being self serving, corrupt and dishonest.
I'm hoping for the best.
Lloyd
Schools and internet access must be improved. I work for a college and so much depends these days on a students' ability to adapt to learning online as well as traditionally. We can't forget our older students and faculty either. They have to feel confident using technology to teach.
I wish we didn't have to go through this transition period. I wish Barack Obama was in the White House as we speak.
I'm glad you commented on schools and internet access. I truly believe that having access to the internet can bridge the gap in education.
Your concern about our older students and faculty is well appreciated. No one should be left out.
The amazing thing about the diversity of his team is that they are all qualified individuals. There's no cronies on his team.
I'm with you on government spending. They have a awful history and it would take a lot to convince me that they could change their ways. Barack Obama would have to personally look at each individual expenditure and I don't think he has the time to do that.
Like I wrote in this post, I believe the goals of making public building more energy efficient seems like a long-term goal.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the time and effort that you and others take in commenting on this or any post and I want to get my response right.
Thanks for being my check and balance for this post. Sometimes my typing gets ahead of my mind.
Lloyd
I agree with you- Obama should just be sworn in NOW. He's the one working on the problems NOW.
Showing my mother how to use her answering machine, using her Direct TV remote control and using a international long distance calling card was like a course in of itself.
For the life of me, I don't understand why there is such a long transition period. It's obvious that Barack Obama is in charge.
Larry M. - you are concerned about the poor, elderly, and children. Wouldn't it be wonderful and compassionate if (when it is at all possible) for families to jump in and help these 3 designated groups of people. I can envision a return to former times of all of us slowing down, caring deeply about our families, friends, and neighbors - sharing food, helping each other with household needs, vehicle issues, etc. etc.... When the going gets rough - which it is - people and families come together - they have no choice. Love, concern, and compassion kick in. We may not see it yet, on a grand scale, but it can and will come...
Obama knows full well how to empower neighborhoods and all of the families therein. He has been in the trenches organizing south side Chicago neighborhoods - showing them how to help each other and to find answers to their problems from the inside - empowering people to help themselves. I do not doubt that he looks down from his presidential position, with his brilliant mind clicking, organizing his team, developing ideas and plans that are completely focused on empowering every person, family, neighborhood, community that he possibly can.
My husband is a young retiree (58) and he is constantly on the go helping our 84 yr old neighbor and 6 other elderly ladies who are still in their own homes. He's laid tile, done plumbing, mowed yards, landscaped, put up ceiling fans, washed outside windows, takes them to and from the doctor's appointments....the list goes on and on. The ladies love him and he is having a ball, filled with love and compassion for these gals.
I can envision great things happening very soon - not that there will be no suffering and pain as a new era is birthed - but there is an undeniable HOPE that will fuel this birth. I add all of my love, optimism, energy, vision, light, and hope for the betterment of ALL THERE IS!
Becky - I am with you
2) The infrastructure while providing jobs, the pay checks are from the tax payers. (redistribution?hmmm lol)
I agree with you that we are going to have to help out others, more than ever, during these difficult times.
Barack Obama definately has the organizational skills to empower individuals, thus empowering communities.
Your husband sounds like a great guy and hopefully others will take his lead.
Lloyd
His cool and thoughtful ways are exactly what is needed at this particular time.
I'm not sure if we are coming out of the FEAR cycle yet. There seems to be more and more bad economic news coming out on a daily basis.
However there are many other bridges that are in disrepair and needs immediate attention.
This is where a public works program would be beneficial.
You are correct that the pay checks will come from the taxpayer, but what is our alternative?
Do we allow further degradation of our infrastructure or do we start making the necessary repairs?
Barack Obama said he would eliminate all capital gains taxes on start-up and small businesses to encourage innovation and job creation. He also supports small business owners by providing a $500 “Making Work Pay” tax credit to almost every worker in America. Self-employed small business owners pay both the employee and the employer side of the payroll tax, and this measure will reduce the burdens of this double taxation.
I don't know how much attention you paid to Barack Obama's platform during the Presidential campaign, but here are two parts of it that he spoke of time and time again.
Barack Obama believes that companies should not get billions of dollars in tax deductions for moving their operations overseas. Obama said he would fight to ensure that public contracts are awarded to companies that are committed to American workers.
He also wants to reward companies that support American workers. Barack Obama introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 with Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to reward companies that create good jobs with good benefits for American workers.
The legislation would provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain their corporate headquarters in America if it has ever been in America; pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health insurance; and support employees who serve in the military.
In my opinion, these types of things encourage businesses to create new jobs.
However these people offer no solutions to the serious issues facing the American people.
One thing we know is that you can not just sit back and hope that things will work themselves out.
It doesn't work that way in today's complicated financial world.
We need someone who has the desire and energy to face the problems head on and come up with solutions.
I do remember him suggesting rolling back the Bush tax cuts, providing a tax break for people earning under $250,000 and a modest tax increase for those earning over $250,000.
He's always campaigned on providing tax incentives for companies that stayed in the United States as opposed to the current administration that actually provides tax incentives for companies that move their companies overseas.
I think more than ever, people are well informed about what goes on in Congress and politicians are well aware of that.
I don't want to see anymore temporary solutions to the issues facing the American people such as $300 or $600 stimulus checks.
We need to find new sources of generating income. In my opinion, I believe the "Green Revolution" is a starting point.
I also believe that infrastructure repair can do a lot towards stimulating the economy. After all, much of our infrastructure is in disrepair.
Hopefully, the Beagle pictured in your icon, will have a happy home full of love.