Orszag named OMB director

Nashville_fan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:07:24 GMT

You know what I like most about President-Elect Obama?

The fact that he makes PLANS. When you HAVE a plan, you can ADJUST a plan.

He then hires people to carry out HIS PLANS.

I also like how people are being hired based on their QUALIFICATIONS to perform a JOB. Not just how much they gave or who their daddy is.

So tired of government by "gut feeling".

It gave me indigestion.

Orszag named OMB director

Ed, FW, TX — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:09:37 GMT

Barack promised to change the way that DC works and this sounds like a prudent move. We all know that years of pork and programs kept running by their admins. inspite of their marginal performance is the rule, not the exception.

It is way past time for our representatives to be concerned about how they spend the people's money. Let's see what happens as the Obama admin takes charge.

Orszag named OMB director

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:15:48 GMT

He's got a lot to pick through to find cuts. Not everyone will like them. It is time to make some choices. The question is can he find enough programs to cut, downsize or reorganize into other to make any kind of difference.

Orszag named OMB director

Beverly in Chicago — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:22:30 GMT

President-elect Obama is finding ways to agree with you.
I really wish those who voted Obama; would stop complain that change is not happening. President-elect Obama has always stressed the need sought to find a common ground to move the party and the country forward. As a result, we don’t allow his effectiveness of divisness or the opportunity to at least try to overcome this mess. Have confidence.

Bush, on his way, wants more publicly financed private sector. He doesn’t care. It’s kind of like getting the shaft instead of an economic stimulus with Bush.

Orszag named OMB director

J. Ellis, Virginia — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:24:48 GMT

As with any problem, it must be first identified before it can be resolved. PE Obama has a pretty good idea of what will work and what will place a drag on the economy. His brilliance in placing other bright and learned people in his cabinet will lend credence to his abilities during this perfect storm of economic woes.

No, it's not gonna be easy and it certainly won't be quick and painless, but at least PE Obama and his team of advisors have some idea of what is wrong and how to fix it. Secr. Paulson and Prez Bush appear to have no idea how the economy failed and even less of an idea about how to fix it. Neither of them evoke any confidence to the American people and Wall Street appeared to have no confidence in their ability either.

Jan. 20th can't come soon enough!

Orszag named OMB director

Farmer Ted, Iowa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:29:49 GMT

BHO - "It is an imperative. We cannot sustain a system that bleeds billions of taxpayer dollars on programs that have outlived their usefulness, or exist solely because of the power of a politician, lobbyist, or interest group."

So those Farm subsidies, we can scratch those off the list of things we're going to pay for? I'm sure the Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa farmers (all states Obama carried), will be delighted to hear the news.

Orszag named OMB director

Indie Woman in Denver — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:33:54 GMT

This is one of those specific campaign promises Obama made that not only still makes sense in the current economic crisis, but is, as he says, IMPERATIVE. If at all possible, he should reach across the aisle and get McCain involved. It's just the kind of thing Mr I-hate-porkbarrel-spending would be good at.

Orszag named OMB director

Cleveland Leddes, MI — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:35:10 GMT

You know what I like most about President-Elect Obama?

The fact that he makes PLANS.

---------------

You obviously don't have a clue what a "Plan" is. Obama is still in campaign mode, making speeches just to hear himself talk. At some point he has to say what programs he will cut. That's when the the proverbial rubber meets the road, and that's when there will be a plan. Then will see who controls Washington, Obama, or the lobbyists, the interest groups, or the polititians. My bet is on the latter. For example, have Obama try cutting something in Pelosis or Reids state/district. Lets see how far that goes.

Orszag named OMB director

Fargo, ND — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:38:55 GMT

That's their problem.

Orszag named OMB director

Ginger, Washington, DC — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:39:18 GMT

I hope Obama does a top to botton review of the the review process. Every President since Jimmy Carter has enacted new procedures to review government programs - while never repealing any of the previous review steps. Agencies and programs are currently over-burdened with review processes.

We need some agency to review the reviewers and evaluate the evaluators, so some of the duplication of efforts related to program reviews can be eliminated. No one wants to stick their neck out and cut any ineffective reviews procedures because they might be thought of as "not a tough manager trying ferret out ineffiencies".

Ever heard of the OMB process called PARTS? The entire evaluation procedure needs to cut - and a new one developed.

Orszag named OMB director

Annette, Odessa, MO — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:40:30 GMT

FARMER TED, IOWA, Yeah if you are a millionaire farmer that makes over 2.5 million a year and still gets that subsidy that you aren't supposed to be getting, then kiss it good bye. It was for the family farms, the small farms, not the MEGA farms, that's what he is talking about.

I am sure they didn't vote for him anyway, just like you didn't. I am also pretty sure you aren't a Farmer and you aren't from Iowa....lol

Orszag named OMB director

Elmer, Seattle — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:42:56 GMT

"This isn’t about big government or small government. It’s about building a smarter government that focuses on what works. That is why I will ask my team to think anew and act anew to meet our new challenges."
Is that why Hillary is Secretary of State? Give me a break.

Orszag named OMB director

Indie Woman in Denver — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:51:31 GMT

Note to Farmer Ted -- I don't believe Obama has identified any specific cuts he would make, so don't get your feathers all ruffled yet.

Orszag named OMB director

marty,columbia,s.c. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:51:33 GMT

Am having a hard time with the economy, we were suspose to see the end to Pres. Bushs tax breaks for the rich, yes the rich compared to the rest of us. History shows tax increases improve the economy, you can start with FDR , Ronny Reagan, Bill Clinton, it allways ends up by getting us out of the hole and back in the black. This is the one promise Obama made that I want to see through frution, also close Guatanimo, and end the stupid Iraq war. My feelings are hurt I wanted his promises to be good. I still have faith in his judgement and think he will rethink
the Bush tax cuts again. It wont hurt the rich and it will help our bottom line.
marty

Orszag named OMB director

noel lyon — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:55:19 GMT

Farmer Ted in Iowa, would I be wrong to assume you don't have a problem with millionare farmers who probably didn't vote against their own interest by supporting a nom they knew would probably call foul on all that "growing for green" ("and I ain't talking eco here")?

Orszag named OMB director

Earl Strickland, NC — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:02:33 GMT

Obama should cut a lot of government programs and tighten the criteria and background checks on all people who are eligible for any of the approved programs. There is far too much abuse in the federal and state programs by people bending the rules and stretching things to qualify. Millions are involved in this kind of practice nationwide.

Orszag named OMB director

Pete, Salinas, CA — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:05:36 GMT

No president elect in history has ever acted like they were going to start running the country after elected. It's amazing that Obama is actually planning to be President, unlike his forerunners, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Regan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, etc. Finally a real leader. A president we can be proud of.

Orszag named OMB director

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:06:36 GMT

It is nice to see President Elect Obama have a plan, and has thought about who will help make his plans work successfully. His Press Conference today was, well formed, well spoken, and well thought out. The GOP/RNC, and their supporters are probably very confused by this concept. The idea of having an intelligent President really scares the heck out of the GOP/RNC. The program that Obama wants to cut makes great economic sense. The "rich get richer" philosophies of the "Do It Yourselfers" (DIY's). When the middle class are picking up their economic tab are over. That is fact!

Orszag named OMB director

Lisa, Indy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:11:07 GMT

Trust me, Farmer Ted, Barack did not carry Indiana by winning the farm vote. He won in the cities and university towns.

Orszag named OMB director

GP NW Indiana — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:16:45 GMT

So those Farm subsidies, we can scratch those off the list of things we're going to pay for? I'm sure the Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa farmers (all states Obama carried), will be delighted to hear the news.
Farmer Ted, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:29 PM)
----------------------------------------------------

With the food demand nowadays? Why again do we pay farmers money on top of what they make for crops? Also I would dare say that we make corporate farms non-eligible for subsidies.

Orszag named OMB director

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:18:38 GMT

>>>We will go through our federal budget -- page by page, line by line -- eliminating those programs we don’t need, and insisting that those we do operate in a sensible cost-effective way.
==========
This, folks, is what is called using a scalpel instead of a sledge-hammer.

So far, Obama is on-track to accomplish quite a bit in his first few months in office, barring any national crisis. He's not going to get everything he's proposing, but so far he's accomplished more in just shaping up his team than Bush has in his first 100 days in office.

On a personal note, I'm noticing that even some of my Republican friends are starting to come around. They see the value in a moderate, pragmatic approach to governing. These are the people that the GOP has forgotten.

BTW, GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK ON COUNTDOWN, KEITH O.

56 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

Orszag named OMB director

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:26:19 GMT

Iowa Ted.....Subsidies has always had people that don't farm scratching there heads.While todays news has stated that 49 million has been paid to farmers that should not have gotten the money.These people are multi-millionairs.Some making more then 2.5 million a year.It would be one thing if these people were mom and pop operations, but that is not the case.One getting paid owns a pro sports team,he collected 200.000,in 03,04,05,and 06.others getting paid where,"top executives of major financial service firm,insurance executives,and former executive of a technology firm.Why are these people getting these sweet deals.Lack of oversight,management problems,the USDA hasn't a clue even who is getting paid.This sounds like a good place to start.I'll bet most of these farms that the owners don't even live in the state the land is in.

Orszag named OMB director

enough lies, read a book — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:31:51 GMT

Orszag named OMB director

Steve C, Frederick MD — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:36:13 GMT

Farmer Ted... You started your comment with 'BHO,' which means that not only are you not an Obama supporter, but you will try to smear anything he does. The rest of your comment confirmed that, since you took PART of a quote and tried to convince people that it's the truth.

Since I heard the news conference on the radio, I know what the statement was... to paraphrase - those farmers who currently earn too much to receive the farm subsidies, but get them anyway, will no longer get them. See, the farm subsidies program has income limits, although these have been ignored by the people paying them out. As I recall, the quote included 'those millionaire farmers making over the $2.5 million dollar limit will no longer receive subsidies.'

It's been said by many people... the election was on November 4th, and today is November 25th. Stop trying to keep Obama from getting elected... the election is over.

Orszag named OMB director

Shawn in St Louis — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:37:49 GMT

Orszag named OMB director

Get Over It — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:41:38 GMT

He never once said anything about taking away farm aid "Farmer Ted". Your subsidies will simply work better than they did before and you'll probably have better aid since farming is vital to the country's infrastructure. Don't be an idiot and raise useless points if you have nothing to stand on just because your mad McCain lost. Get over it. Move on.

enough lies, read a book (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 1:31 PM)

Here's another one. They fall under the spell of Obama speeches, but they never make the connection to what Obama says (which is a lot) and what he does (which is nothing). What Obama supporters have to get used to in short order is that everyone doesn't love Barack, and when he finally does something, Obama is not going to be the popular guy they believed him to be. It's at the point we can all say to them, "Just get over it".

Orszag named OMB director

Ron lndiana — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:43:58 GMT

As I look across the political landscape I can see no one better than PE Obama to right the many wrongs of the non regulated Bush administration. When problems are large, one can/must trust God and their leaders to address these problems.

In a way I am hopeful that these issues are correctable and I'm a bit angry that the ecomony is in such disrepair. Yes, I am furstrated that farm subsidies may be put on the shelf and disappointed that health insurance may have to wait.

I have little compassion for the CEO's who mismanaged the auto industry or the CEO's of the banks who made bad loans. I do care about the people on main street who are losing their jobs, can't pay their mortgage, or will not have enough money to provide a Christmas for their children. The reason I trust PE Obama is that he does care about the middle class and is working to find stability in the economy. As I watch him work, I see a President who, if given some needed time, will do us all proud.

Orszag named OMB director

Gail, TN — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:45:03 GMT

Ginger, Washington, DC:

Please send your excellent suggestion to the Obama Transition Team at change.gov. They are actively seeking ideas like yours to help identify areas they will need to address.

Orszag named OMB director

Farmer Ted, Iowa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:45:48 GMT

Note to Farmer Ted -- I don't believe Obama has identified any specific cuts he would make, so don't get your feathers all ruffled yet.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:51 PM)

That's the point IWiD. Obama never has specifics. And when he finally does, you're going to see who really runs the show in Washington. And it's not Obama.

Orszag named OMB director

Craig, Sterling, VA — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:55:57 GMT

Change is a phenomenom that can take several different forms. One way to implement change is to keep/hire the best and brightest, but change the underlying philosophy of governing and, hence, the marching orders. This appears to be what President-Elect Obama is doing and I support it wholeheartedly. We need people who know how to make the existing system work so they can achieve immediate goals, but who are also change agents that want to implement a better system in the long run.

This will take time. The man isn't even in office yet and he has figured out a way to be President without actually being The President -- yet. I like his focus on jobs -- this is ultimately the key. If people are working, it means money is flowing into the hands of you and I.

I agree with those who advocate enlisting Senator McCain as Pork Barrel Watchdog-in-Chief...give the man a red pen and let him go to town!!

Orszag named OMB director

Dave in Omaha — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:04:53 GMT

A Phd. from the London School of Economics. Bartlet for America!

P.S. Viva "Hot Tub" Chuck Todd!