Spring Break
For stimulus to work, Congress must cooperate
Megan Lynch
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Commentary
Last night, primetime television watchers were interrupted by President Obama's message regarding the recent stimulus package he is pushing to be accepted. This package includes about $800 billion dollars to be dispersed among taxpayers, specifically focusing on education and the job market - which are two of the areas that college students are most concerned about. Obama hopes to put billions into education reform and construction and even more towards creating and sustaining jobs for the American people.
Republicans, however, are not exactly thrilled about this idea. They believe this is just pointless spending adding to the trillions of dollars America has lost. While any American would love a big check to arrive in the mail, we need to decide if this is a responsible idea - and the Republicans don't think so. But are there any other options?
The stimulus bill has already passed in the House, despite receiving zero votes from House Republicans, the minority. The bill also passed through the Senate on Monday with a mere three votes from the Republicans. Obama now has the support he needs, final debate planning to end yesterday.
So it looks like the economy is getting a stimulus. However, it is extremely important that the government continues to focus on bipartisanship. While this stimulus was mainly supported by Democrats, the Republicans did get a say in bill revisions. No party has ever effectively run the nation for a long period of time and neither party knows the correct way to fix the nation now, but with bipartisanship, compromises can be reached while making decisions for Americans.
While the Democrats are focused on more spending, the Republicans are, as usual, focusing on tax cuts. One of the Democrats' big arguments was that tax cuts to the wealthy never helped, so it is time for a change - and maybe we're all poor enough to give it a shot. Tax cuts have always been a good way to go because it makes the people happy and leaves them with more money in their pockets. The problem has been that the tax cuts have been so focused on the wealthy. The rich cannot always be punished, but it is arguably true that they have more money to spare from their paychecks every week than a middle class family who can't buy groceries this week. If taxes for the wealthy are increased and decreased for the lower classes, the federal government will still receive its money and the average family will have enough to survive.
Republicans, however, are not exactly thrilled about this idea. They believe this is just pointless spending adding to the trillions of dollars America has lost. While any American would love a big check to arrive in the mail, we need to decide if this is a responsible idea - and the Republicans don't think so. But are there any other options?
The stimulus bill has already passed in the House, despite receiving zero votes from House Republicans, the minority. The bill also passed through the Senate on Monday with a mere three votes from the Republicans. Obama now has the support he needs, final debate planning to end yesterday.
So it looks like the economy is getting a stimulus. However, it is extremely important that the government continues to focus on bipartisanship. While this stimulus was mainly supported by Democrats, the Republicans did get a say in bill revisions. No party has ever effectively run the nation for a long period of time and neither party knows the correct way to fix the nation now, but with bipartisanship, compromises can be reached while making decisions for Americans.
While the Democrats are focused on more spending, the Republicans are, as usual, focusing on tax cuts. One of the Democrats' big arguments was that tax cuts to the wealthy never helped, so it is time for a change - and maybe we're all poor enough to give it a shot. Tax cuts have always been a good way to go because it makes the people happy and leaves them with more money in their pockets. The problem has been that the tax cuts have been so focused on the wealthy. The rich cannot always be punished, but it is arguably true that they have more money to spare from their paychecks every week than a middle class family who can't buy groceries this week. If taxes for the wealthy are increased and decreased for the lower classes, the federal government will still receive its money and the average family will have enough to survive.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
BobVilla
posted 2/11/09 @ 10:31 AM EST
ww.youtube.com/watch?v=JEfICUoWKBw
Post a Comment