2009.08.31
Poking holes in stimulus transparency rules
In an effort at transparency, the Obama administration ordered federal agencies to publicly report contacts with lobbyists for any of the $88 billion in stimulus money that will go to projects by way of competitive grants and loans. Yet fewer than 200 contacts have been reported since Congress passed the stimulus package in February. Tuesday, we'll write that lobbying subterfuges used by interest groups to seek funding while flying under the radar of open-government rules will add to Americans' cynicism about government. The administration needs to close loopholes as fast as K Street can find them.
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transparency...yeh sure it looks like it so far
Comment by pammala — August 31, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
ok - homework time
who actually wrote the stimulus bill?
come on now, let's put on our thinking caps...
Comment by pammala — August 31, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
There is no amount of transparency that will satisfy the hounds of doom and there was no amount of transparency to be carried over from the Bush/Cheney administration so the rules are being rewritten on this issue and I think the amount of information available has been remarkable. President Obama was handed the worst economic disaster in our lifetime and instead of standing tall and working to put this country back on the right track, the hounds of doom have taken every opportunity to distort, obstruct, mislead, lie and scare people. There is no honest debate going on. Both sides yell and both sides highlight what they want and ignore what they do not.
The thing that has hurt the Republicans is that the emperor has been found naked and instead of running for cover and getting clothed, they scream "no we're not". My fondest dream is that the chances being missed and the vitriol being used will backfire for a very very long time. All Americans may not understand every nuance, they may not study every detail, they may not trust every word, but the plain truth of who is working hard for a solution and who is working hard to stop any progress and hand Obama a "Waterloo" does not take a lot of effort or study. The proof is in the pudding and every lie you are caught in is one more straw. Every hypocrisy exposed does damage. Fear and loathing have a certain allure for a small segment of America, but the voting majority reached for hope, sincerity, communication and real patriotism, and I think they will again and again. As much of a boor and as often as I am repulsed and disgusted by what I read here, I must thank you for the fire you keep burning and the apathy you keep at bay. May it reign long and loud.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — August 31, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
so who wrote the stimulus bill, any guesses?
Comment by pammala — September 1, 2009 @ 7:00 am
I'll take Democrats and Republicans for $500.00 pammala.
Comment by Blue John — September 1, 2009 @ 7:41 am
wrong answer, no points for you
Comment by pammala — September 1, 2009 @ 7:51 am
of course if couldnt been but they didnt want any republican imput...
Comment by pammala — September 1, 2009 @ 7:51 am
It helps perhaps to understand the way Congress works. Republican amendments to the Stimulus were brought forward and largely voted down. That is what happens in a majority party ruled Congress. Always has, always will. Republicans did the same to Dems when they were in the majority. It is my understanding that some Republican Amendments were in there and still no one on that side supported the effort or the bill. If you do not like the way the sausage is made, change the rules, but do not pretend that this is a new phenomenon or that obstruction is a better form of governing than steamrolling because this is what we have always had. Everyone in those Chambers was duly elected by the people in their districts and if they voted against their constituents I expect to see them go packing. It is called a Representative Democracy and that is just how it works.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — September 1, 2009 @ 8:39 am
Then stop whining and crying about the republicans sandi. Please.
Comment by Uptheriver — September 1, 2009 @ 8:51 am
I think you are confused as to who is whining here, up. I am defending reality not whining about it. Republicans have some good people among their ranks, that I respect very much and have over the years. It is Conservatives that I have no patience or sympathy for and will not let go unchallenged.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — September 1, 2009 @ 9:02 am
Sandi - We are definitely NOT confused. You defend YOUR reality and we will continue call you out on how out of touch with it you really are!
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
Comment by Walker — September 2, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Walker, was that before or after 1948, when Britain instituted its National Health system?
Comment by Kristen — September 2, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
Sweet insult Walker, however you have misjudged your target by an embarrassing mile. I am not a Socialist. I am a proud All American Liberal, which means I hold no warmth for the "root little pig or die" Conservative mentality, not that I want the government coop of comrades to own business and distribute the goods. Do you really know what a Socialist is? Wanting to help my fellow Americans should be at least as worthy as wanting them to fight and die for a cause.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — September 2, 2009 @ 5:52 pm
Kristen, if you are looking for a more recent British quote, I'm pretty sure it was Margaret Thatcher who said, "the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money."
Comment by C Ramsey — September 2, 2009 @ 8:09 pm