Jack & Jill Politics

via Barack Obama – The Action Americans Need – washingtonpost.com.

In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis — the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems; that we can meet our enormous tests with half-steps and piecemeal measures; that we can ignore fundamental challenges such as energy independence and the high cost of health care and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.

I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change. They know that we have tried it those ways for too long. And because we have, our health-care costs still rise faster than inflation. Our dependence on foreign oil still threatens our economy and our security. Our children still study in schools that put them at a disadvantage. We’ve seen the tragic consequences when our bridges crumble and our levees fail.

There’s no doubt that the GOP and the media have come out swinging against this stimlus, looking for any opportunity to distort and derail its passage.

The GOP came up with a list of items it wanted to strip, calling them waste. I did the math, and that list comprises 1.5% of the total bill. Seems like a record low to me, but they’re good on the talk radio and cable news. $13 billion out of $900 billion is still $13 billion

Think Progress and Media Matters have taken Morning Joe The Plumber to task for that show’s inflammatory and egregiously false rhetoric against the bill.

Meanwhile there’s been an interesting discussion between Al Giordano and Chris Bowers of OpenLeft. Bowers expressed frustration that Obama hasn’t been clear on what he wants us to do. Al responded that Obama has been mighty clear, calling on people to join or host economic stimulus house meetings this weekend. BooMan comes out leaning toward Giordano but still left with some very specific unanswered questions.

As for me. I’m a bit annoyed at everyone right now. I wish Obama hadn’t let the GOP outmaneuver him so soon. All the tea parties and football joints haven’t earned a single GOP vote. I wish the Democrats in Congress hadn’t tried to include some of the provisions they did. I wish the media would stop giving the GOP twice as much air time as Dems, considering they were voted out of power!

If you can, host or join a house party and report back. If you have updated news on the stimulus, holla in the comments.