Obama: Passing this crap sandwich is a “major milestone”
posted at 12:35 pm on February 14, 2009 by Allahpundit
Ain’t it the truth, as is his warning near the end that “This historic step won’t be the end of what we do to turn our economy around, but rather the beginning.” WaPo’s already anticipating Stimulus II, in fact, presumably to follow hot on the heels of TARP III. And all this while he’s planning to, er, balance the budget. Reminds me of one of those physics problems where water’s pouring into a sink at a certain rate and you have to figure out how big the drain needs to be to keep the sink from overflowing. How do you calculate that for Niagara Falls?
John Pitney did the back-of-the-envelope math and figures that Congress spent about a million dollars per second during the course of deliberation on the bill. As for this latest fireside chat from The One, I’ll leave you with two quotes as a right-wing rebuttal. First, Veronique de Rugy, making a long, long laundry list of the less stimulative bits of the alleged stimulus:
It’s a terrible bill, in other words, both on its face and in the details. For the reasons I detailed here, it won’t stimulate the economy. It violates many of President Obama’s promises. Most of the deals that created it were made behind closed doors, meaning that there is virtually zero transparency and no real way to track where, how, or why money is being spent. On top of that, the bill is still packed with items that any vaguely impartial observer would call pork.
And David Frum, sharing a lesson he learned the hard way:
After 9/11, President Bush (supported by me, among others) argued that the right way to respond to a terrorist attack from Afghanistan was by overthrowing Saddam Hussein. We offered a complicated explanation for this roundabout response, and for a time the public accepted it. But as the war went wrong, and failed to deliver the promised results, our plan’s credibility collapsed.
Now the Democrats have placed themselves in a similar situation. They are offering an indirect answer to an immediate question. The suspicion arises that they had decided the answer long before the crisis ever materialized—that they are using the crisis as an excuse to do what they had long wished to do anyway, for reasons that they are not stating in full.
Blowback
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One-term President.
trigon on February 14, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I’m throwing up.
Computer wrecked.
Budget destroyed.
I agree with Krauthammer.
Short term win; he got what he wanted.
Long term loss; plenty of ammo for the opposition, and the stimulus won’t work.
blatantblue on February 14, 2009 at 12:40 PM
This is not a milestone. It is a millstone around the neck of the American people for decades to come.
kingsjester on February 14, 2009 at 12:40 PM
And a Democratic controlled congress passing a bill HE DIDN’T WRITE is a “victory” for Obama.
Guess all of Bush’ legislative passages when the RNC controlled congress were victories in the msm too…
Skywise on February 14, 2009 at 12:40 PM
More like passing a stone…
Asher on February 14, 2009 at 12:41 PM
God willing, if his first few weeks are a trend.
ThePrez on February 14, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Mark this date as it really is when this country became a socialist country
grapeknutz on February 14, 2009 at 12:43 PM
MSM will not let this fool lose election in 2012. They will ram him down the throats of Americans, regardless of how big a failure he is.
aquaviva on February 14, 2009 at 12:44 PM
I have to take issue with this part from what Frum wrote:
Is there any evidence that Bush wanted an a war in Iraq before he got into office or before 9/11? And by evidence I mean something besides lefty talking points. I find the allegation that Bush was itching for a war Iraq and 9/11 was just an excuse a scurrilous charge. One unfounded.
terryannonline on February 14, 2009 at 12:44 PM
One more reason to demand his college transcripts. I want to see his grade in Econ 101.
sherry on February 14, 2009 at 12:44 PM
A chicken in every pot, rainbows and lolly pops for all!
This guy just says what ever the hell he wants and the kool-aiders (i.e. the media) just drink it up.
Wyznowski on February 14, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Look for a new stimulus every year…maybe twice a year…for the next four years, or eight, should we really be THAT stupid.
Got to keep the smoke and mirrors going, and keep up the fakery of bipartisanship…but at no point, ever, will this Administration nor any Dem administration stop, take an honest mathematic and actuarial look at all the pork/funds/etc authorized and spent and the dollar by dollar result of each program…never going to happen.
To keep the Ponzi scheme alive…and Dems out of prison… the money has to keep rolling over.
Our kids and grandkids are screwed…
coldwarrior on February 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Friday the 13th, America died.
Firebird on February 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I guess the regular appropriations bill coming up will only have a couple of hundred dollars in it. Surely there’s nothing left to spend on after this crapola of a bill.
BacaDog on February 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM
It is a milestone for Obama. A huge win! A crowning Victory! Well Done!
His words are true, his intentions are the issue.
The problem is, Obama’s goal was to bring down the US economy…completely…eternally…destroyed.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
katy on February 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
it really is when this country became a socialist country
grapeknutz on February 14, 2009 at 12:43 PM
That happened back in early November, actually. People knew this was coming and voted for it anyway. The decision to become a socialist country was made a few months back.
Midas on February 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
They are betting the initial small bump will give them adequate cover in 2010 before the long slow decline sets in.
I suppose if they keep passing bills of this magnitude regularly, they might able to extend that canard to 2012, before political reality sets in with voters.
a capella on February 14, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Us too. Just wait for the inflation rates to soar once all this funny money hits the economy.
BacaDog on February 14, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Ugh. Just watched CNN and they lapped up Obama saying “guess Obama is learning bipartisanship is just a dream!!” I kid you not. No mention of pelosi writing the bill herself. No mention of 30million for rats. Just junk
battleoflepanto1571 on February 14, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Wow, within 6 weeks my marriage falls apart and this nation falls apart.
What happened to hope, comrades?
redshirt on February 14, 2009 at 12:50 PM
If he owns the victory does that mean he’ll own the failure as well?
ctmom on February 14, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Where’s Goolsbee on this?
danking70 on February 14, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Frum says:
Here’s a clue-bat for you, moron.
IrishEi on February 14, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Safe money is in guns and ammunition.
Nowhere else.
quax1 on February 14, 2009 at 12:54 PM
How about a challenge to the SCOTUS that the bill is “Unconstitutional”?
…………. might be worth a shot.
Seven Percent Solution on February 14, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Are you kidding? Without this bailout, the failure would’ve been FAR FAR WORSE!
/s
Skywise on February 14, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Yes, Osama Obama has “made history,” all right.
In a mere three weeks, he has become the worst president in the history of the United States.
Carter? Harding? Franklin Pierce? All rank amateurs when compared to the all-encompassing incompetence, arrogance and total lack of sense embodied in Obama.
MrScribbler on February 14, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Excellent play on his words. Forgive me for the emphasis, but I wanted to best ensure that your point isn’t lost.
New slogan: Millstone, Not Milestone.
credit to kingsjester.
BuckeyeSam on February 14, 2009 at 12:55 PM
MSM will not let this fool lose election in 2012. They will ram him down the throats of Americans, regardless of how big a failure he is.
aquaviva on February 14, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Yup.
And how much did ACORN just pick up?
artist on February 14, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Obama would be a hoot, if he weren’t so dangerous. Wait till the next Trillion dollar stimulus; then the Fairness Doctrin; then lifting term limits, etc etc etc. The libs plan of building a welfare class of voters is finally working. It took a couple of decades, but all is working to plan.
marklmail on February 14, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Yep. That’s why this doesn’t have the same sting for me. When they pass amnesty or when the dollar collapses, I may even be able to take it in stride.
JiangxiDad on February 14, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Only a fool would brag about a trillion dollar spending bill. This jerk is the King of Fools.
Well, off to the Portland Guns show. This will be the last one me thinks.
portlandon on February 14, 2009 at 12:58 PM
One-term President.
trigon on February 14, 2009
Even if true (which I doubt), what does it mean?
Some things will certainly be different but Gov’t will be unimaginably big by then.
And it won’t get reduced.
Slowed maybe but not reduced.
artist on February 14, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Our new mantra as a country should be:
Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth. Only private enterprise creates wealth…
Mojave Mark on February 14, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Should I stop paying my mortgages now? And how do I get tickets to the Mess-I-uh game show?
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Plus… Speaking of speculation… This One’s presidency is the mother of all speculations.
-
RalphyBoy on February 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Somebody save this video to a hard drive before they delete it.
HE OWNS IT!
Glenn Jericho on February 14, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I agree. To flesh this out, though, the pork pays off the 35% of the country that he has regardless, and continues to enslave the the poor people who make up a portion of that group. The hoped-for stimulus is the risk he runs with the 18% to 20% of the country from the middle who voted for Obama.
I just hope the idiocy of this solution shows during his term so that he gets the blame.
BuckeyeSam on February 14, 2009 at 1:01 PM
HE OWNS IT!
Glenn Jericho on February 14, 2009
America owns it.
For, it will NEVER be reduced.
artist on February 14, 2009 at 1:01 PM
WOW! Thanks for the link!
Send to Rush, Hannity, Ingraham…
This is the first article that puts it all together and simultaneously makes me want to throw up…
katy on February 14, 2009 at 1:01 PM
“…they are using the crisis as an excuse to do what they had long wished to do anyway, for reasons that they are not stating in full.”
No shit!
GarandFan on February 14, 2009 at 1:02 PM
C’mon ya’ll! I’m happy with the bill as it stands. See, if you look on page 739, line 16, and start reading backwards from the end of the line, you’ll see these words:
“Bob gets his pony”
So screw the rest of ya’ll. Whiners.
BobMbx on February 14, 2009 at 1:02 PM
The country can wait 48 hours so Il Duce can have a photo op on Monday, yet couldn’t wait the 48 hours Obama promised before the congressional vote.
You have to hand it to fascists, they’re masters at what they do.
jeff_from_mpls on February 14, 2009 at 1:02 PM
I agree. Frum just can’t get over his bitterness. It just seeps out.
The Dems are definitely doing this. It’s not a suspicion. He could have stated just this without the dig at President Bush.
Rahm already gone on record saying you should never let a crisis go to waste. Frum ought to have the chutzpa to go ahead and say it.
Frum went on to say this:
If he thinks there is actually a chance this would work??? Good grief. The guy is not only not a social conservative, he’s not a fiscal conservative either. I also question whether he’s even a defense conservative.
INC on February 14, 2009 at 1:02 PM
You simply CANNOT make this up:
With a $787 billion stimulus package in hand, President Barack Obama will pivot quickly to address a budget deficit that could now approach $2 trillion this year.
He has scheduled a “fiscal-responsibility summit” on Feb. 23 and will unveil a budget blueprint three days later, crafted to put pressure on politicians to address the country’s surging long-term debt crisis.
WSJ
artist on February 14, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Liar
javamartini on February 14, 2009 at 1:03 PM
The growing gap between the Bobs and the non-Bobs, the ponied and the non-ponied, must be narrowed.
jeff_from_mpls on February 14, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Smells of taxation without representation.
I agree with Seven Percent Solution:
tru2tx on February 14, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Personally, I’m happy with this crapulous bill.
I fired my crew, dissolved my business, went on welfare, joined a union and registered as a demorat.
I’ll be living the high life pretty soon and all of you will be paying for it.
Bishop on February 14, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I almost wish you had made that up. Frightening how absolutely clueless this man is when it comes to well, anything.
sherry on February 14, 2009 at 1:07 PM
In deference to his family’s Kenyan legacy and Zimbabwean neighbors, Mr. President will institute our new Zimbabwean Economic Philosophy: Need Money? Just Print More!
kingsjester on February 14, 2009 at 1:07 PM
O/T, but another example of Obama’s thin skin and total lack of presidential demeanor.
When Obama was in Springfield he put this into his speech. CBS certainly got it, because they made it their headline:
Obama Jokes About Gregg During Tribute To Lincoln
I mean what’s the point of saying something like that? To get some laughter to salve your wounded ego?
INC on February 14, 2009 at 1:09 PM
7%
One massive class
warfareaction lawsuit against the federal government! Sweet!katy on February 14, 2009 at 1:09 PM
The country can wait 48 hours so Il Duce can have a photo op on Monday, yet couldn’t wait the 48 hours Obama promised before the congressional vote.
You have to hand it to fascists, they’re masters at what they do.
jeff_from_mpls on February 14, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Ostalin might regret the timing of his “Adore Me” victory presser, especially if he had a stock ticker running behind him.
Bishop on February 14, 2009 at 1:09 PM
sherry on February 14, 2009 at 1:07 PM
From this point forward the msm will package Obama as a deficit hawk.
And the public will buy it.
artist on February 14, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I cant stand the sound of president scumbags voice….After a few words Ive gotta turn puke face off.
Locrian on February 14, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Wait…. I can’t stop laughing….. long enough to think of anything to say….
-
Ahhh… That’s better. I suppose more cash will be the answer to that problem too… (given to the
rightleft people of course).-
RalphyBoy on February 14, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Yes, thanks for that link.
INC on February 14, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Yes, let’s not forget that Obama senior, the polygamist, alcoholic, lapsed Muslim turned atheist was also a Socialist Economist!
Can you say Dreams from My Father?
Disturb the Universe on February 14, 2009 at 1:12 PM
If the government could create an X amount of jobs whenever they wanted, why even have a free market?
Notorious GOP on February 14, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Emergency indeed:
The White House is considering a prime-time bill signing ceremony, and on Wednesday asked the television networks if they would air the event.
NYT
artist on February 14, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Yeah. Like it’s soooooooooooooooo hard to spend other people’s money.
Following the Democrats logic, I am officially announcing that I have signed Tom Brady to be Peyton Manning’s backup in Indianapolis. Who’s going to pay for it? The Detroit Lions.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 14, 2009 at 1:13 PM
President Obama,
My name is not Henrietta or Julio, I do not expect the government to find me a house or pay for my healthcare. I expect the government to stay out of my way and let me get on with my life.
Zardoz on February 14, 2009 at 1:15 PM
If the government could create an X amount of jobs whenever they wanted, why even have a free market?
Notorious GOP on February 14, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Welcome to the master plan. A free market is sooooo last century.
Bishop on February 14, 2009 at 1:15 PM
-
I like it… Put it on a bumper sticker, with his little rainbow rising logo… Simple. To the point… Awesome!
-
RalphyBoy on February 14, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Glenn Jericho on February 14, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Can we Amend the Constitution and run Bush agaisnt him in 2012? That would be priceless, having W beat him.
lavell12 on February 14, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Now I know you are making this up. There is no way the White House had to ask the networks to cover this. Most of them are on their knees begging for scraps from the Messiah.
sherry on February 14, 2009 at 1:22 PM
I think the Ipod/Iphone/Iwhatever craze is actually an attempt by the Ktarians to take control of planet earth.
Prima Facie evidence is, of course, the link to Ashley Judd. But because Sarah P. has discovered the plot, and is screwing up everything, Ashley has been tasked with “neutralizing” the Palin.
I need some more meds…..
BobMbx on February 14, 2009 at 1:22 PM
I’m pretty sure that the Obamaphiles will be terminating term-limits before long, so… anything’s possible!
Glenn Jericho on February 14, 2009 at 1:23 PM
BTW, I am being sarcastic. Forget to add that in.
sherry on February 14, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Oh, it’s a major milestone allright…a milestone towards the destruction of everything that true and loyal Americans hold dear. You of course are neither Mr.Bawreck Insane Oh-bumma.
Dark-Star on February 14, 2009 at 1:25 PM
What bugs me is it’s going to take so long for the results of this boondoggle to be seen that people are going to forget he’s the one responsible for it. I know I’m going to stimulate the hell out of my 20 bucks a paycheck tax break whenever that happens. It’s going in a jar under my bed.
scalleywag on February 14, 2009 at 1:25 PM
2012- automatic Republican victory (outside of nominating McCain again).
lavell12 on February 14, 2009 at 1:26 PM
What makes you think there will be elections?
katy on February 14, 2009 at 1:27 PM
We really don’t want to think about doing this. I think some Dem Congressman is already working on a bill to introduce about term limits.
Fortunately, I doubt they’d be able to get it to work it’s way through getting enough states’ approval.
INC on February 14, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Glenn Beck said it best on O’Reilly:
“We are going to have a depression, followed by a revolution.”
So, I say:
Just in case: Food, water, medications, ammo, cash.
Additional just in case: A place far,far from the cities.
Myself: just in case, ya know. Done.
Yoop on February 14, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I might if Rahm has enought time to work his census plan out.
katy on February 14, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Yes, milk the stimulus for all you can. It’s not like you’re any less deserving of it than is Henrietta Hughes.
Hell, you’re even more deserving of it, as you’ll be helping to pay for it, unlike Henrietta.
misslizzi on February 14, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Yep rookie fool, this is a major bill bud, and it’s all yours!
Keemo on February 14, 2009 at 1:32 PM
katy on February 14, 2009 at 1:01 PM
INC on February 14, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Frightening as hell, but it certainly shines a light on the horrors that are underfoot.
IrishEi on February 14, 2009 at 1:33 PM
There is a bill that does this, unfortunately the bill would remove term limits for the POTUS. (pssst….it’s been introducd by a DEM congresscritter…)
BobMbx on February 14, 2009 at 1:33 PM
He’s a milestone in his own mind. I’ve never been disrespectful to a president before but this guy? He’s an arrogant little punk and a water boy for Pelosi/Reid/Frank & Co.
One day (he’s already ticked off a couple of foreign leaders) he’s going to poke his finger in the wrong guy’s chest.
scalleywag on February 14, 2009 at 1:35 PM
No, I think the Census is used to draw Congressional districts and decide the number of Representatives from each state.
This is the Constitution section on Amendments:
Amendment 22 is on Presidential Term Limits.
That’s the one I mean.
INC on February 14, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Sorry, forgot the link for HJ Res 5, Repeal of 22nd Amendment
BobMbx on February 14, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Aren’t the auto companies scheduled to come back for Bailout II in the next few weeks?
The argument for them will be, of course, we’re spending all this money on banks and we just spent $790Billion on the stimulus- what’s a few more billion to save the Big 3?
MayBee on February 14, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I think he’s right. I read enough of Dan McLaughlin’s take on Obama before the election. He did a enormous amount of research on O’s past history.
INC on February 14, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Whether it’s controlled by the Commerce Dep’t, or by the WH, Obama has made it clear that the results will be politically acceptable to him.
That being said, I will no longer be a chump. Suddenly my family and my ethnic group has grown larger too. (Actually, I’m in NY. I think I’ll just say “single.”)
JiangxiDad on February 14, 2009 at 1:40 PM
If you’re an honest black person – anywhere – Mr. Obama has to be an embarrassment to you. You’ve fought and prayed for so long for your people to advance.
If Mr. Obama is the example to the world of what black people do when they assume leadership, I feel sorry for you and the time and blood that’s been wasted for your cause.
AubieJon on February 14, 2009 at 1:41 PM
From the article about balancing the budget comes this choice Comrade Urkel quote:
So, let’s sign up for more and make it even more impossible!
Yeah, that’s the ticket, Zerobama!
Jenfidel on February 14, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Sort of. They’re supposed to come back in March with a business plan that shows that they can be a viable, on-going concern into the future. If they don’t, the Bailout Czar is supposed to demand the funds they’ve already received be returned.
Any bets on the outcome…..?
BobMbx on February 14, 2009 at 1:43 PM
How long before we Balkanize?
artist on February 14, 2009 at 1:45 PM
major
milestonemillstonethere…fixed it.
dont taze me bro on February 14, 2009 at 1:48 PM
According to the G7 a “severe economic” downturn will exist for the rest of the year. This of course was not mentioned by the president since as we have seen his target audience is the “Julio the Friers” of America. Hidden under this repugnant bill is of course a reversal of welfare reform instituted under Clinton’s watch.
Now, I don’t understand where they are getting 13 dollars a week from the supposed $400 a year payroll tax cut. $400 divided by 52 weeks equals $7.69. This should come just in time for the rising credit card interest rates people are now facing which will have a significant impact on financial budgets. Net gain from this so called tax cut will be nil.
Added to this is the current reports that the EU slump is larger than first reported. This was reported on the 13th and it is the largest drop in 50 years. Look for another drop in Asian and European markets this Monday followed once again by the DOW. The DJI of course reacted to the American “stimulus” package by closing down and setting another record low for the DOW. One would think that it would at least have a perceptible impact if the Democratic Party claims were even closely based on reality.
As of yet we have to once again hear from “Turbo Tax” Geitner regarding TARP II. Thence will come the official “health care reforms” from the White House followed by the yet unresolved financial state of Social Security. At the same time the White House will have to face foreign opposition to “protectionism” from the United States.
Mr Gus on February 14, 2009 at 1:48 PM
“Crisis fully exploited, capitalism dealt a mortal wound…two birds, one stone. Hey-y-y, this president stuff is easier than I thought.”
whitetop on February 14, 2009 at 1:50 PM
“This historic step won’t be the end of what we do to turn our economy around, but rather the beginning.”
Enjoy!
artist on February 14, 2009 at 1:51 PM
They now control the people who report the numbers. In light of that we will never see numbers pertaining to inflation, unemployment or job growth that can be trusted. There will always be a reason to suspect from here on out.
Yoop on February 14, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Props to kingjester….once again i’ve learned the lesson: read before posting.
dont taze me bro on February 14, 2009 at 1:52 PM
de facto–done
de jure–?
JiangxiDad on February 14, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Lincoln’s legacy = Re-united a divided nation
Obama’s legacy = Acknowleged and accepted the existence of two America’s.
BobMbx on February 14, 2009 at 1:57 PM
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