Tag: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

From the moment the federal stimulus package was first proposed, crank-celebrity "free market" enthusiasts have been whipping up their fans by crying "socialism" as often as possible -- demonstrating how little cranks understand both free markets and socialism. I'd write it off as merely tilting at windmills, except that tilting at windmills sounds too reality-based given the prominence renewable energy is playing in the country's recovery and reinvestment plan.

Local rail and public transit enthusiasts are in for a cold slap of reality after the historic signing of the $787 billion economic recovery plan. During Tuesday's visit to Denver with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden said the federal stimulus bill will be a big boost to mass transit in the United States, with funding impacts for commuter rail projects from Colorado to Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.

That was fast. Two labor groups -- Americans United for Change and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees -- on Tuesday unveiled a national ad applauding President Barack Obama for signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The ad features footage shot earlier in the day at Obama's speech at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Never has the partisan nature of the renewable energy debate been more on display than it was Tuesday during the historic Denver signing of President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package.

Douglas McIntyre at TIME complains that President Barack Obama's housing stimulus plan will keep struggling homeowners in modified mortgages for ultimately valueless homes effectively making them renters. But I ask: When are Americans going to accept responsibility for the risks inherent in making financial investments, including homeownership? Why is that Obama's fault? Add your comments below the fold.

Last week, as they’ve done every week for nearly two years, New Jersey-based Rasmussen Reports cycled a question about Congress into its nightly political tracking poll. Over two nights, around 1000 voters (they must be voters, or say they are, to be included in the poll) were asked by an automated, voice-activated pollster whether they they would support a Democratic candidate or a Republican candidate for Congress, were the election held today.

Everyone knows about the crisis facing homeowners. But what about those who can't afford a home? Colorado is excepted to scoop up nearly $61 million in federal stimulus funds to build and renovate public housing, weatherize public and low-income housing, and provide Section 8 and energy assistance vouchers to poor families. But is it too little too late?

From the White House press office, President Barack Obama's remarks as prepared for delivery before signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Tuesday afternoon at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science:

From the governor's office, here are the remarks as prepared for delivery by Gov. Bill Ritter, who introduced Vice President Joe Biden before President Barack Obama took the stage Tuesday afternoon at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science:

Democratic and independent voters are getting behind the national stimulus package in increasing numbers, according to new polls -- and they're not the only ones. The New York Times reports today that Republican governors have refused to adopt the dead-ender approach taken by their congressional colleagues and have embraced the package from statehouses across the nation. Why the quiet schism?