Obama: The people's business can't wait

Posted: Monday, January 05, 2009 12:43 PM by Carrie Dann

From NBC's Carrie Dann
With a nod to the inauguration preparations underway outside, President-elect Obama started Washington DC's unofficial "back to school day" this morning by meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying that "the people's business can't wait" any longer for progress on an economic stimulus package.

"We have an extraordinary economic challenge ahead of us," Obama said at the start of his meeting with the Speaker. "We are expecting a sobering job report at the end of the week."

Although both Obama's staff and other House leaders have said that the big-dollar recovery bill is unlikely to have cleared Congressional hurdles by January 20, Pelosi indicated an optimistic timetable for forward motion on some form of legislation. Noting that Inauguration Day falls just two weeks from tomorrow, she said that "at that time we hope to have signed into law legislation that will improve the lives of the American people."

Pelosi pledged that Congress would work on the plan, which will likely include $300 billion in tax cuts and at least $500 billion in added spending, "with great civility, with great fiscal discipline."

Obama - accompanied by Vice President-elect Joe Biden -- is expected to meet with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on the Hill later today after he sits down with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this afternoon.

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Comments

Isn't it odd that at the end of 8 years of government spending that has created the greatest debt in our history that now the Republicans want to tighten our belt, oppose a bailout for the auto industry and for middle class Americans. Like, it was OK to engage in a pre-emputive war, waste billions on Iraq, and now decide to be fiscal conservative. Then they decide to use songs like "Barack the magic Negro" to further alienate the American people. With this kind of thinking the Republicans will not return to POTUS in my lifetime. Joe, Pat and the whole conservative wing is "Stunningly Superficial."

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:05 PM)

I'm worried about this one. The Repubs plan to veto a stimulus package put forth. I don't understand their thinking. After watching Scrub/Dick treat Americans like crap, why would repugs want to see change in the US? The dying breed of rich gets richer still hanging on. John Bohner, McConnel, can't stand that they lost. There, I've vented! Happy New Year posters!!! YES WE DID!!

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:09 PM)

That is what I like to see. Hit the floor running. Obama has such a huge mess to clean up he needs to get on it as soon as possible. He seems to be doing that. Obviously the outgoing Administration isn't really interested in progress at this point. They are all looking forward to "getting the heck out of Dodge" (Leaving Washington). Who could blame them.

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:09 PM)

Obama, you should have used your tax cuts as bargaining chips for the Republicans

Let them propose business tax cuts, then you compromise and say yes

How about 'tax reform' while we're getting tax cuts
Close the tax loops holes that allowed more than half of US corporation to pay NO CORPORATE INCOME TAXES under the Bush Regime ?

Did you get us our Chinatown subway, Nancy ??
How about a Geary Street subway ??
Times awastin'

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:10 PM)

Doubts an Economic Stimulus Plan will be approved by Congress before Jan. 20. Here we go again folks. Business as usual. Watch for the infighting to increase in Congress and no Bill ready for quite some time, if ever, or watered down far below that suggested by Obama.

If this Stimulus Package is to work, or to provide the Amercian people with some confidence in the same, someone, hopefully Obama, will explain in detail just exactly how the average citizen is going to benefit from the Stimulus package. Otherwise the money set aside for the package may be released and spent while people will be wondering just where the heck it all went.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:12 PM)

If these proposed tax cuts are to be reduced from your weekly taxable gross income as proposed here is the result:

(Based on a 52 week pay period for workers)

$500.00 Tax Cut per worker - A $9.61 weekly tax cut.

$1,000 Tax Cut for Couples - A 19.23 weekly tax cut.

Now tell me folks, will you then be prepared to go out and spend to help boost the economy with these huge increases in your weekly income?

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:21 PM)

MSNBC - Happy New Year - how come none of my stuff is getting posted. I've been good!!

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:29 PM)

Obama is like one of those used car salesman standing there telling us he can "Only give you this special deal today, because tomorrow, things just might change, and you'll miss your chance!!".

Think about this for a minute. He's trying to put through nearly ANOTHER trillion dollar bill (at yes, it will be that big after the earmarks are added) in congress in about a week where the legislators won't even know what's in the bill, let alone us mere mortals knowing what's in it. And it's got to be done NOW, NOW, NOW! This is an absolute joke.

Here Barack, answer this, who's going to pay it back?

Just Another Rich Guy (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:30 PM)

The people can wait Barack. Just what's in this bill?

And weren't the Democrats bragging that they were the party of fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget? What ever happened to that?

Samatha Cummings, SC (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:33 PM)

I'd like to see how the GOP members of congress will react to this. They were the ones who claimed that Obama would RAISE taxes on anyone making more than $42k/yr. They are also the ones who want to keep the tax cuts for the rich. It'd be hard for them to argue against cutting taxes when that was the very issue they campaigned on.

15 Days and counting until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:42 PM)

Yes! I am relieved that the grown ups are finally coming back to town. At least we have a chance of digging out of the mess that the republican administration caused.

Modern Repulicanism = Incompetance with a heathly dose of corruption. Nice job idiots

bsmith (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 1:49 PM)

In two weeks Obama will be president and the world will heal itself. You Dems do believe that, don't you?

Undone (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:04 PM)

Testerday on This Week, McConnel sounded almost reasonable in his comments. He did claim that the GOP senators repersented 1/2 the people, which seems a bit of a stretch, however.

McConnel also mentioned 9 spending bills totaling $400billion that were "vetted and ready to go". Couple that with a 300Billion in tax relief for the middle class and small biz and one wonders what are they really wanting to haggle about?

The more professional GOPers (meaning the non-lunatics who neither support Limbaugh nor Palin) must realize that with Barack in the driver's seat having very good approval ratings so far, they cannot be seen to be obstructionists this time out. Else the GOP will continue to disintegrate in 2010 and 2012

So what is the deal with the foot dragging on the stim package? Let's get busy Congress, America needs solutions not more infighting!

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:06 PM)

The people's business can't wait?

Heck, why not? After all, it's waited 8 years, hasn't it? And nothing bad happened because of all that republican non-governing, did it? Sheesh.

Ironically, the other day, I heard Dan Bartlett tell Joe Scarborough that it was too bad that the Israeli/Palestinian crisis had occurred at a time when there was this "power vacuum" in Washington. A power vacuum? How curious of him to admit openly that the Bush administration had already closed up shop. While Palestinian civilians are dying, and while American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are still dying at a rate of more than one per day, Bush has cleaned out his locker and gone home to clear some brush. Doesn't that kind of dedication make you proud?

No kidding the people's business can't wait. It's been waiting way too long.

Anna Molly (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:06 PM)

Obama will pull us all together as one. But ......

"East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet." Kipling said it, not Shania.

Peter Percival Patterson (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:11 PM)

well lets see both parties are at fault when it comes to spending...They both seem to have done well with there pork, and a lot of unaccountability in spending....Most of those are still in office and havent changed just trying to make better deals for themselves.....I would like to know how there going to monitor this, for example the big dig in boston cost billions in spending because of shotty workmanship and pay offs....Think it wont be a different, every politician will be looking for millions for there districts wheather they need it not....Only people it will help are those who have in in with government.....No its not going to change or work with oversight.....So send me my stimulus and i will spend it wisely while washington continues to do its job of do nothing.....

Russell Fox Wells, Me (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:11 PM)

"It'd be hard for them to argue against cutting taxes when that was the very issue they campaigned on."
jawillie, Philadelphia, PA

They are "magic" conservatives.

nuanced (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:11 PM)

My my my. The right wing is certainly hot this morning. It's just too funny all the stuff they're throwing about on Obama, Richardson, Blago, Clinton, etc. They sure are sore losers and can't stand that things are going to go so much better for America after January 20th!

LB, Virginia (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:13 PM)

I just love seeing the comments from the sore-losers here (they're even worse over at the FOX site). They guzzled the kool-aid put forth by McCain/Palin/Joe the Plumber that Obama would RAISE their taxes if they made more than $42k. Now that Obama's trying to give them a TAX BREAK, they're hoping that the Republicans block it so they'll have something else to complain about. GAWD, I MISSED THIS SITE OVER THE HOLIDAYS!

15 Days and counting until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:14 PM)

Obama will mostly be remembered for being black .... well, half black.

And that's not half bad.

Keep peddling his inaugural coins in front of the White House and get arrested. Remember, George is still the boss.

Seattle Slew (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:20 PM)

OBAMA IS A LIAR=WHERE IS THE NO TAX FOR SENIORS, AND THE NO TAX FOR THOSE MAKING LESS THAN 80,000. A 10 DOLLAR A WEEK WITHHOLDING CUT IS A JOKE, BUT SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, ANOTHER TAX AND SPEND DEMO IDIOT.

DAVE ANDERS TEXAS FOOL TO VOTE FOR A LIAR (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:20 PM)

"I'm rich and I'm famous, and America has elected me president simply because I said 'change.'" - BHO

That shows ya how vulnerable they are.

Mollyanna (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:25 PM)

"The People's Business"? What next, "can you smell what barack is cooking?"

HNY everyone

JT (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:34 PM)

To correct a previous post...from the LA Times in regards to the individual tax cut:

The $500 tax credit would apply to the first $8,100 of wages, meaning a worker who earns $24,400 a year and is paid twice a month would get about $60 extra per paycheck for four months

Elliott, Los Angeles,CA (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:37 PM)

Well the fact of the matter is - the republicans are sore losers.

They didn't care about the average American or the state of our economy before P.E. Obama and surely that's not going to change because he was elected.

However, the new deal now is - more of U.S. are involved in our governments decision making and the political process - although indirectly.

We will bring pressure on the republicans - once they try to hamper the agendas of the Obama's administration.

So yes – it will be stupid to think the Republicans will suddenly gave a damn and help move this country forward - we the people with the help of our President will not allow the Republicans to sabotage the agendas which will move our country forward especially if it's solely on bipartismship or some other political motives.

It will not happen because the American people will not allow it.

We will have every republican congress person or senators - fired by the end of their terms.

Guaranteed

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 3:06 PM)

I'd like to see the Democrats call the Republicans' bluff every time they threaten to have a filibuster. Make them actually have a filibuster and then let the media show them delaying the work of the recovery. Then let the public tell their Senators (1/3 of whom are up for re-election in 2 years) what they think of them for delaying things.

Steeler fan Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 3:34 PM)

I can assure you that the GOP will kick , holler and scream, I know my two senators will, Lindsey Graham and Jim Demint. I promise you they will be obstructionist. It is fine, if its for the rich folks, but us poor working class, we wouldnt know what to do with a dollar if we had it, just ask them.
marty

marty,columbia,s.c. (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 3:43 PM)

For every one blameing the GOP for every thing wake up. There is enough blame for everyone. Congress has been in the control of the Dems since 06. What really scares me is what I believe will be a 180 in battling terroism . I hope that with the repeal of the Patriot act, and refusing to listen to international calls from or to known terrorists the record of 7 yrs without an attack stays in effect. I really want Obama to succeed I love my country more than any party, I believe most Repubs feel the same way. I just wonder if the Obama admin will ever be held accountable. Will he be responsible for every thing that goes wrong anywhere in the world? I do not want him to have to face the same type of issues or deal with the hate that GWB has had to. So Mr. President Obama I did not vote for you but I wish you God speed. I realize not every thing bad that happens is your fault. Please err on the side of safety for my family and yours...

Greg Okc (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 4:11 PM)

Republicans, just sit there, nod your heads, and agree. After reading about the grand opening of the $700 million dollar, 104 acre U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone of Iraq, there had better be no whining from the "fiscal conservative" Republicans about a stimulus package and some tax breaks for hard-working Americans. You jokers were gung-ho to give Bush everything he wanted and then some. Unjust war, wasteful spending, no-bid contracts, the largest privatized military force in history, tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy--the list goes on and on. Now there are more than 4,500 Americans dead and many times that maimed for life, an economic meltdown with unemployment, mortgage defaults and foreclosures, a financial crisis caused by deregulation and greed, tight credit despite billions of dollars in corporate bailouts, growing healthcare crisis, worsening energy crisis, a military stretched beyond its limits, and an aging population whose investments have depreciated. But you found the money to build the largest U.S. embassy in the world in Iraq! Its time to let the adults take over. You'd better do all you can to help them clean up your horrific mess!

Carol A. (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 4:22 PM)

Elliott, Los Angeles,CA (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 2:37 PM) - The $500 tax credit would apply to the first $8,100 of wages, meaning a worker who earns $24,400 a year and is paid twice a month would get about $60 extra per paycheck for four months.

Let's see Elliott: That's $60 X 2 X 4 = $480.

That is not even $500.00 and based on 2 paychecks a month for four montrhs that would equal $30. per week, or as I stated $9.23 per week based on a 52 week pay period.

No matter how you twist the figures I want to see if the public is ready to go out and spend to boost this economy with such a huge tax break.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 5:49 PM)

the comments on this site are from sore losers and haters just waiting to say nasty racism insulting crab toward the president elect OBAMA . nothing he will do or say will help their hatefulness and palin like thinking that's their role model and that's why they lose so keep up the good work and you guys will stay in the dirt.

SANDRA (Sent Monday, January 05, 2009 6:28 PM)

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