Gallup: 58% of the Nation blame the GOP for the Stimulus

Jared I think the Repubs are big whiney babies and I have expressed this to my Repub Senator Chuck Grassley.

He along with the rest of them need to remember they work for us.

No one is indispensable.

I feel that the American people know what is going down inspite of GOP spin and political games. The people need help now and we also need to invest in our infra-structure now before costs double or triple in the future and we end up with another Katrina.

People who lost their jobs, boy they are many of them, know that a tax cut can't help them. They have no income! Why is that so hard to understand?

They are not indespensable. People should get rid of these clowns the next time they have the opportunity, even for another republican who is not thinking like this is 1980. Whatever the hell 1980 was like.

Michael Steele certainly didn't help the Republican position when he claimed on This Week that corporate jobs were "real" jobs that would come back even after layoffs, but government jobs (like rebuilding roads, bridges, and schools) were not "real jobs" because the projects would end. Egad. The party now has a leader who apparently doesn't comprehend basic economics or business.

All these senators from States won by Obama better watch their arses. People in those states are tired of them. If the Republicans think 2008 was a bad year wait until 2010. The economy will start to recover and Obama will go to those states and campaign for Senators also jump starting his 2012 campaign.

The republicans only prayer is for the economy to get worse. We all know that. If not, don't even bother showing up in 2012. Hence they need to sabotage this.

Tax reductions. Even those of us who have income to tax are not going to spend the money from lower taxes or rebates. We are going to pay bills or hoard it away, since it doesn't look like the economy will improve soon. We need money going to places that will create jobs now, not going to people (like me) who aren't going to put it back into circulation.

Ada, that was really funny. The use of "real job" was very poor. In essence he is telling everyone that will be building bridges, roads, and schools funding by the government that they don't have real jobs.

The guy is not that smart. I agree with what he was trying to say. Those jobs are temporary. But that's exactly what we need: keep folks employed until the economy recovers. By then, the folks who were building road and bridges funded by the government will be doing the same thing for the private sector.

A construction job is ALWAS temporary. Doesn't not mean they stay out of work. They move from one contract to another. Those contracts don't exist. Steele, is actually pretty dumb for saying that.

If the 1% is pure pork, get rid of it. 1% of 800 Billion is not pocket change. The Repubs have no gripe. Last figures I received was that 30% of the bill was tax cuts. I agree that they will do no good what-so-ever. So cut them out.

Only two things in that bill have any hope of helping the economy. Infrastructure work will help in both the short and long term. Some of those projects will take years.

The other thing is money to the consumer. It will only help in the short run but will serve as a boost until the other program is up and running.

Those are the only things I know of that have a chance of doing the job.

Blame the GOP? Why not? Stimulus was and is a GOP idea. Obama has just fluffed it up and went a little different direction with it.

If it don't work I will blame both political parties since both voted for the programs that caused the problem in the first place.

Now that the polls are going against you, just tell us that polls are meaningless guessing games and, anyway, this isn't a country of government-by-poll. And when the Republicans really screw up, just remember "they're all to blame".

There a 1% gripe, but there's no gripe. Taxes are too high, but don't give us tax cuts. Cut out the pork, but spend on "infrastructure". There are too many government giveaways but we need to give money to consumers. Obama doesn't know what he's doing; it's all the GOP's idea anyway.

As you were, "colonel", before you steam over your own tow line.

Guy you might want to take a comprehension course. That is not what I said.

When did I mention polls? I DID say the only part of the stimulis's that might help are indrastructure, and money in the hands of the consumet. Both would stimulate the economy. The rest of both bills are garbage.

I must recommend a recent Truthdig column, "It's Not Going to Be OK", which cites political philosopher Sheldon Wolin among others. Wolin attributes our current economic crisis to inverted totalitarianism - and it makes a lot of sense.

Bush had an unprecedented opportunity with the surplus created under the Clinton years - and he more than blew it. (If he had been in power during the French Revolution, he surely would have been executed along with all his corporate cronies.) It's time for something completely different from the disastrous economic policies practiced under Bush, and Democrats had better stand firm.

Tax cuts? We did it last year. Who did not get a check from George Bush? People paid credit cards with it. Nobody is buying a stupid car. Every financial planner will tell you now is the time to pay down debt.

Was I supposed to get a check from George Bush last year?

Now is not the time for goose-stepping with your fellow Republicans who apparently think tax cuts for the rich are the answer to every issue. But there they are.

The Republicans are trying to keep all of the non-job creating junk out of the bill. You will also find more repubs supported what Obama was talking about. Unfortunately, the Pelosi-Reid crowd has hijacked the bill and made it into a Dem Wish List of spending.

Obviously you and the "colonel" aren't going to the same briefings, and neither one of you read the writing on the wall. Kinda fun to watch the out-of-synch tap-dancing. It's better than the stream of falsehoods.

Was I supposed to get a check from George Bush last year?

First checks arrived at home in late April 2008. The plan included tax breaks for small businesses. IT DID NOT WORK.

"Whatever the hell 1980 was like."

Which, son, is why you don't get it. And you never will.

Poliwonk has done a good job of stating it succinctly, though.

Nice of you put in a good word for Poliwonk. Care to tell us what it was he said so succinctly?

I can tell you what 1980 was like: the Soviets were spending 13% of GDP on the military budget that would drive them into collapse in 1988.

I can also tell you what 2008 was like: America spent 16% of GDP on health care costs, and if Senator Grassley doesn't come crawling back into the health care debate, someone is going to implement reform without him, or there won't be a President of the United States after Obama.

Poliwonk, keep telling that to yourself. Republicans are using excuses for cover. All that junk is out. They are still opposed to it. McCain was clear. He will not vote for anything but tax cuts.

C A, spare the patronizing. Don't waste your time talking to someone who will never get it. I am glad you get it. One less ignorant repug. We need more aware repugs.

The rest of the country is starting to feel whats been going on in Michigan for years. I know a lot of people who would KILL for a "temporary" job. Because it's better than NO job at all.

Since you guys touched on Steele's...

To use Begala's phrase, the guy is (now) a high functioning moron. He called them "make work." That's exactly what we need, moron. Call it "make work" job if you will. That's exactly what they are trying to do, to get folks income so they can spend back into the economy, feed their families, and we get roads and bridges. When the economy recovers, those folks can go back to the private sector. The private sector is certainly not employing them. So what do you suggest? "No 'make work' job, let's wait for the 'real' jobs"?

Who listens to this moron? He is their party chairman?

So I see Steele has become the new Bush? I figured as much. You liberal loonies aren't happy unless you have an evil Republican to build starwmen from and to publically burn all over the internet.

Vote the partisans out, says (me) this broken record.

My Senator was among other Democrats in name only that helped broker the deal. She has my vote, but the rest will have to prove themselves worthy of the position.

I don't look forward to either Norm Coleman, or Al Franken representing me.

As my candidate had on his cards - Why be NORMAL? Get it, Norm or Al?

You liberal loonies

What's up with the name calling Christopher? Steele is a moron. Now that's name calling Michael Steele, who will never read this post. Anyways, that dumb ass want to tell us that 'making work' is different from a job and that only private busineses can create jobs. That's dumb.

If you are dumber than Bush, people will talk about you.

People are not happy about the stimulus either when asked about it. They find the spending out of whack.

However they are not hearing any new idea from Republicans. Bush has talked tax cuts for eight years and has given multiple tax cuts. Look at where we are.

Skeptical, yet willing to try. People are willing to try this because they see nothing else on the table.

Tell us how tax cuts alone can solve this. Tax cuts are needed but can't put people to work in the short term.

I don't approve of anything Obama has done since he set foot in office. (BTW, his approval rating started at 80% and has gone down to 67%. It will probably go down farther.)

I also do not approve of the stimulus package. Period. What they have done is create a spending bill and call it stimulus. There are thousands of economists in this country speaking out against this. 200 of them took out a full page ad.

Last I heard his approval rating was 42%

Alan, it makes no sense to borrow from other countries or to print bogus money so that we can create government jobs we don't need or want to give someone a pay check.

What do you suggest the American government should do to put Americans back to work. The "colonel" doesn't want tax cuts.

That's right Guy. Tax cuts will not cut it. Spending government money on government projects will only work in the short run. Hireing more government employees will not work. That is taking money out of one pocket and putting it in another. Industry is what will work, not government. A depression is coming and all this spending of faux money will only make it worse.

his approval rating started at 80% and has gone down to 67%. It will probably go down farther

OF course it will. When those questions were asked he was not president. The guy has been in office for three weeks. We will be happy with 53%, that is, those of us who voted for him all approving. The rest, I really don't care about them. I hope they disapprove because generally what makes them happy about government is opposite of what Obama voters want.

So I hope those people remain as unhappy with Obama as they can and remain so for 8 years. LOL.

On a serious note, he can't make everyone happy and yes, even the 67% is an hyperbole. There is very little Obama can do to make Jared and Marilyn happy. I want him to increase taxes of the wealthy, not lower to capital gain tax, get the troops out of Iraq, and put Bush and Cheney in Prison. See, that won't put you in the "approve list."

Raising taxes on the rich will only raise prices as they pass them down to the rest of the consumers. ALL taxes are paid by the consumer, not the rich and not the poor or anyone in between. All of us pay All taxes every time we buy something.

I agree, Get the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and put Bush, Cheney and Pelosi in jail where they belong.

makes no sense to borrow from other countries or to print bogus money so that we can create government jobs we don't need or want to give someone a pay check

a) They are not government jobs. When we build bridges, we won't create a government agency to do so. Where did you hear about the upcoming Secretary of roads and bridges building. Wingnuts really need to drop this. Private companies will do that. Just not Halliburton. We don't employ felons.

b)We need those roads and bridges unless you think what happened in Katrina and that bridge in Minneapolis under George Bush is normal in the most powerful country on earth.

c) Yeah, unlike the republicans. we do want to give someone a pay check so long they are willing to work. That's the difference between those folks and us. We want to create jobs. They want to make sure their friends remain wealthy.

Alan, no matter who does the work, if the government is paying the bills it is a government job and is paid with tax dollars.

Alan, so glad you take a totally non-partisan, unbiased, view of this. It's refreshing.

Glad you appreciate Poliwonk's totally non-partisan, unbiased, view of this so much.

Thank you. I am always happy, ready, and willing to listen to arguments from our republican friends. In order to fix this mess non-partisan, unbiased thinking and attitude are a must.

Sarcasm rules! :)

Itchy.

Show them the light or show the heat. Enough bipartanship. Time to remind those folks who messed this economy.

Tax cuts are nothing to the many people that have lost jobs and the only thing that will help is living wage jobs, without them we do not have an economy. Jobs are the one subject politicians do not want to talk about.

The jobs Obama is creating will help as a temp mesure but they will not restore any part of the economy.

I think the public is wised up finally to what the problem is and I think the GOP is looking at more big loses in the 2010 election.

With unemployment at 16% (9.7 acording to gov data) and going up Obama and the Democrats don't have a chance in 2010 unless those figures reverse soon.

John Boehner is using this as a platform on which to try and rebuild the Republican party. It's a shame that idealogical differences are blinding him and others to what's good for the country.

A 10 for you Jared.

It appears the majority of Americans are not sheep/morons.
(bush/cheney/mcsame/palin worshipers)

All of us on the "left," (or those who put the Constitution and rule of law above rabid partisanship and idiot ideology), earnestly waited for the day when the Dems took over and justice would fall down like thunder upon the Republican party and conservatism in practice. We looked forward to Obama holding these bastards to account. Yet, he has demurred in the name of what is good for the nation and to create a post partisan America.

Or did he?

Nobody in their right mind believed the morons in the Republican party would suddenly become responsible citizens because they got badly beaten in this last election. Certainly Obama knew McCain, Graham, Coburn, Cochran, Kyle, etc., would not go quietly into the night. So, he played "let's work for America together" and knew they would fight him at every turn. Now, in the next few days he will paint the Repubs for the failures they are and squarely blame them for their role in the current economic debacle in a already angry electorate. This serves two goals: It alienates the public from the Repubs, divides from the leadership those smart enough to know what's good for them and forces them to redefine and abandon their extremism to survive at all. The 2nd goal, IMO, give Obama cover to make serious and damning investigations into Bush misrule and Repub enabling during the last 8 years.

THe GOP is about to get a "thumpin."

Thanks for the information!

i'm thinking if the republican senator from my state doesn't vote positive for the stimulus. i'm shipping him my unemployed brother who is living with me and costing me a few hundred dollars a month. maybe he'll do something then.

Some one should also remind the Dems that they work for us and not special interests like Unions, Lawyers and Teachers Unions.....

The more he talks, the more supports he gets. His main risk is to seem as if he was in a permanent campaign mode. This issue could be the most one of his campaign. If he keeps America safe and the economy shows signs of recovery, his reelection is a walk in the park. In that sense, he needs to come out and give this bill 1000% and that's what he is doing.

I am a bit skeptical about stimulating an economy of this size and complexity. However, I have not heard ANYTHING from republicans to show me they understand the severity and magnitude of this problem. Do they really believe Americans, if given tax cuts, will all get out and spend. Even folks who have jobs are worried about losing them. They are going to buy cars and homes in my opinion. We shall see.

Both parties are to blame. Now let's stop pointing fingers and get to work.

I can't understand the ignorance of people who say that a spending bill isn't stimulus. What in the hell do they think economic stimulus means. If I thought that they would read, I would recommend almost anything from John M. Keynes. "It ain't so much that people don't know, its that they know so much that just ain't so."

Silly boy,
You keep right on galloping away, and you'll fool yourself at the next election. We just love Congress. Isn't there enough blame to go around? They all stink. You sound desperate, which makes me happy enough to comment.

Jared, continue educating people with facts.

Jared: Exellent. Obama is not a magician. He inherited an economy in shambles and it will take some months before the stimlus really kicks into high gear.The signs are all around that it is beginning to work. At least he is doing something.

The government runs on tax money. Tax money comes from consumers. If there are few jobs there is little income for the government. When the government creates jobs with tax money they are spinning the wheels and getting nowhere. That is kind of simple to see. Industry is the key to recovery and we can't have industry when the government taxes and regulates them so heavly that they move to another country. The key then for the government would seem to be lower taxes and regulations on industry to entice them back to our soil so they hire Americans.