Hi Anderson,
I am in the Aero-Space Industry. The prior government decided that we should retire the current shuttle programn in 2010. Even though we do not have a replacement vehicle. Therefore, thousand of employees will be facing unemployment.

My question is: How will "payroll" reduced taxes help the currently unemployed and future job lost.

Thanks,
Hew.

Yes. This will work.

This makes me sick! Can someone PLEASE tell me how 1.2 Billion for the National Science Foundation is going to stimulate our economy???? How is any of this nonsense going to stimulate our economy. The politicians should be put in jail for stealing our money! I'm sick of this bull crap.

It doesn't add up..... where is the rest of it?

What happened to the tax cuts? I don't see them in your list!

Where are the hundreds of rests of billions – this is an absurd list, nearly totally useless for consumption.

T. Wade Zinn

OK, that's about $250 billion, what's the other $500 billion+ going to be used for?

Im a plumber in dfw and I can't see the stimulus helping my family. Obama needs to help the people who got him elected at a local level to.

Is there any grants for the arts.... culture?????
Isn't that important for the welfare of our lives......

To Anderson Cooper

In the House of Representatives version of ‘‘American Recovery

and Reinvestment Act of 2009’’ page 9, "SEC. 1107. APPROPRIATIONS

FOR INSPECTORS GENERAL" begins the amounts to be used by different

departments Office of Inspector General. $208,500,000 is to allocated to these offices.

If these offices are normally funded by the annual budget, WHY do they need special funding.

Sincerely,
Chester Evans
Norfolk, VA

Earlier this week the Republicans had proposed a 4 or 4.5% across the board interest rate for mortgages. Where does that now stand – is this still a possibility? I too, believe this certainly would stimulate home sales and/or refinancing which could help many people to now be able to afford their mortgage payments.

I'm glad that members of congress are finally Getting the bill passed. I just wish republicans would GET OUT OF THE WAY! And let President Obama do his job. They were the ones that broke it, now let the democrats fix it.

What is the battery manufacturing for? If it's not for cars, get rid of it. Small shipyards? Sounds like a Congressional pork project.

Everything else is GREAT! Bring on the Public Transportation, I'm tired of sitting on the 405 – give me a viable alternative to get to work and I'll use it.

How are mortage interest rates going to change due to this stimulus package?

What about un employment benefits. Will there be any relief for people that can only draw benefits for 6 weeks, 13 weeks, 20 weeks?? any extending of benefits. Anything at all????

Whats in in for me? There is nothing in it for the average Joe! Did
I waste a vote?

The tax cuts. You forgot to tell us about the tax cuts. Who gets them? How much to they get?

I'm a 67 yo african-american democratic female. Stimulus yes, pork no. Of the 780 billion, what REALLY creates jobs now.

What a joke. I am self employeed in property maintenance I have not had any calls for jobs and wonder what I will do. I can not get unemployment because I am a one man operation and have bills to pay. I Need Help!!!!!!!!!!!
They have forgot about us

You left all the PORK off this list. The Devil is in the Details>

This is an excellent plan - they seem to have taken the pork out. Obama is to be commended for putting this together. In the last 20 years I have not seen any one take one sensible measure to improve the economy.
Go Obama (thanks A.C. for giving the info)

What about extending or increasing unemployment benefits... or providing health care assistance for laid off workers? The cost of Cobra is outrageous.

about peoplee on disability and retirement only income. With food ,gas insurence,etc going up we have nothing left to spend. The tax cut doesn't do anything since we don't do tax returns. I hope we aren't left behind.

With the Economic Stimulus Program that is about to be passed by the Senate, are there any funds earmarked for existing Businesses contemplating on expanding their operatons via franchising?

How about credit availability for those recently unemployed to start their own businesses by being a franchisee in industry that they are already familiar with. It is proven that the succes rate of franchisee start-ups is so much higher than those going at it alone. Chances of providing increased employment via this route is more of a long term solution in resolving our massive unemployment crisis and likewise stimulate the economy at a much faster pace.

Having said this, aside from the 3.6M currently unemployed, additional military personnel (approximatley 300K) will be coming home from Iraq and most likely unemployed. If there is nothing set aside to address this, then it may be the right time to lobby for a piece of that package, to ensure that our brave soldiers have something to come back to and build their future with after the sacrifices they have made for all of us.

is there anything in the stimulus for housing? Is the tax credit in this plan?

Did the one-time 2009 stimulus for Social Security receipients survive?

Did the tax deductions for new cars for sales tax and interest related to financing stay in?

GREAT STIMULUS PACKAGE. WHATS IN IT FOR TROUBLED HOME OWNERS???

My Oh My... maybe they can work this thing out with out the fat...

Boy I'm sure glad the Republicans were able to get that 25 billion
for new school construction " Fat " cut from the plan....that wouldn't create any new jobs. hmmmm

I would like to hear (from the republicans), how the 2nd half of "their" $700 billion stimulis package was spent, and what did it accomplish?

I don't agree with everything in this bill(some items are clearly not going to stimulate the economy), but, I think a lot here can help the economy and is generally good for the country.

This package is a joke its not going to help the low income and middleclass like it should the guy is who makes the US tick..People need to wake up.....The rich get richer and poor get poorer! People will spend money if they have jobs, stop sending our jobs over seas and bringing forgieners here to take ours!

I keep hearing about PORK.....these appear to be programs that will stimulate local growth and job production.

It seems like the goverment is regulating and watching different industries. How is watching the insurence industry. My insurence is going up 250.00 per year because I live in Nevada.

This is a very well thought out stimulus bill. Republicans in the senate should stop fighting president Obama and pass this bill so that America can get going again.

What about the people that are losing there homes.God Bless America

Spend, spend, spend. Notice most of this stimulus bill is loaded with spending for long term projects. Most of which I might add will need adddition funding later on down the road. In other words, an even larger budget to meet in 2012 and on for future generations to endure. Where is this going to end?

How will this stimulate the economy NOW? Most of the money is long term project spending for pet pork projects!

Sure, lets get so far in debt that we trash the US Dollar and drive interest rates to unheard of levels.

How come all the compromise is coming from the Democrats. John McCain compromise was to take all the spending out of the bill and do nothing but tax cuts. He did not win the election Barrack did. The majority of Republican are being obstructionist.

Wow.

All this is good for is too make a bunch of rich people richer again. What about the middle class tax payer. All we get out of it is the job of paying for it. Come on people enough is enough.

This whole stimulus debate is a joke. Don’t the republicans realize how badly they are hurting their own states and the people in their states by not working with President Obama and the Democrats. It is so ridiculous…the facts are out there and I surely hope that the American people see through their BS. They have been dragging this out long enough, and frankly, it needs to stop! Everyday that goes by, more and more AMERICANS are losing their jobs, houses and investments. Republicans will not come out and say it, but by wanting more tax cuts, I truly believe that they are trying to backdoor the Obama administration into failure. Tax cuts only gain two cents for every dollar given back to the tax payer, while spending to fix our crumbling infrastructure would gain 59 cents on the dollar. What they are doing is not right and needs to be stopped! It’s time to put personal politics aside and do what’s right for the people and their political stature.

How is all this spending going to create 3 – 4 millions jobs???
It looks like a bunch of pet projects for a bunch of Democrats.
What is being done in any of these potential jobs to make sure that these taxpayer funded jobs will go to American citizens?? Illegals have taken over a huge block of the construction industry. E-Verify needs to be mandated for any taxpayer funded jobs.

What happened to the funding for the arts which would have provided jobs for many in the nonprofit arts organizations.

After watching the senate stimulus amendment process I find much of them are just bad or have nothing to do for the economic stimulus. Senator Grassley’s’ amendment on Medicaid and Senator Feingold s’ amendment are the only amendments holding any merit that passed committee and need to be added to the stimulus package. Senator Bunning wants to save Wall Street investors. I’m a wall street investor and I knew the risks when I started to invest and when my broker wanted me to sell I said no thanks I’ll just set and in time I’ll recover . I’m not interested in saving those who can’t and do, because the markets yield back in time. Mr. Bunning’s amendment does not reflect good research. Senator Thune doesn’t seem to understand good research ether. Mr. Thune wants to hand out outrageous tax cuts. Stimulation is done by causing movement of the GDP and purchasing tax relief has a direct effect on the GDP, not giving big handouts to a targeted group. Senator Wydon wants to set at a Wall Street round table with out researching the facts involved.
Housing needs to be taken up with T.A.R.P. Big banks don’t need three hundred and ten billion dollars but, my research shows, housing restructuring through small community banks have a record of handling finances best and at a lower cost then the large Wall Street banking system.

Has Unemployment compensation been extended or suspended.

This is all good solid spending; we needed more of this...much more and LESS tax cuts.

Spending for the new government vehicles is not necessary

I see they took out the tax credits for new home buyers. is there a chance that could get back into the bill?

Anderson,
Where is the money to assist those who are in danger of loosing their homes? There has to be something in the bill for that. Please don't tell me that this has been left out. The American public cannot continue to take it on the chin any longer.

Where's the real assistance for Unemployment compensation now?

Looks like some of the fat has been trimmed...I think this looks much better. I am wondering, though, if something will be added for homeowners...will that be in a separate bill?

Since job creation is the basis of any real economic recovery, where in the stimulus bill is the tax credit for corporations that bring their manufacturing plants back to the U.S. and the removal of the existing tax breaks for them to move to other countries?

If congress wants to stimulate the economy then the focus should be toward business and industry. If companies are thriving then they will hire and their workers will spend. This should also include tax cuts for businesses. If businesses didn't have to pay so much in payroll taxes on the state and federal levels, they could pay higher salaries and provide better healthcare for workers. I'm also disappointed that they're not addressing the mortgage crisis in the stimulus package to prevent homeowners from losing their homes. Funds for the items listed above should come from their respective cabinet departments.

What happened with Head Start and Early Head Start? The moderate gang had proposed to cut the stimulus 50%. Did that happen?

I am finding it so offense that many of your invited guests refer
to President Obama , as OBAMA..... never did I hear people
just saying " Bush this , Bush that...... How about some respect
for this man who worked so hard to get where he is today.
Thank you. Victoria Greene

you just showed a clip of pres. obama letting the senate know that they are there to work for the people of america, they were sent there to represent the american public. Truthfully I have never felt so un or mis represent in my life. I have tried to get involved and call my US rep and my US senators since the bank bailout in Sept. Only to be left angered to the point of dis-belief. I have pushed hard to let my elected officials know that "I have no problem with taxation! all I want is a little representation! to go with it!"

Hello,

Is the $15k tax credit for homebuyers still in the stimulus bill?

Thanks,
T Hope

Can there money in there for rebuilding the Louisiana wet lands. If they don't and New Orleans is hit again Katrina will look like a mere dust storm. Baton Rouge will be beach front property.

Go Obama! Education needs this infusion!

What I don't get is:

1. Why isn't foreclosure relief spelled out in this bill?
2. Why doesn't infrastructure spending account for at least half of this gargantuan bill?

If I had line-item veto power, I'd:

1. Cut the grants for the NSF
2. Cut AmTrak funding (one of the most underperforming government entities, ever)
3. Cut the Medicaid allocation in half

And if I could restructure the overall budget, I'd:

1. Cut bloated defense spending
2. Reallocate more funds to high speed/inner city rail

More than anything, I'm concerned that this stimulus bill is only the tip of the iceberg. How in the bleep are we ever going to pay this off? Can you even imagine the interest payments on this debt?

What happened to the tax credit for home buyers?

Why don't these finanial genious' choose a place to have their 'financial thinktanks' like smalltown America where the cashflow of their Divine prescence can have the greatest impact? Las Vegas? I sit corrected, there's no money there, how foolish of me.

What about people receiving private pensions and social security. What will they be getting?

Can somebody please break down and explain how cutting taxes like the republicans want will help the economy. Also, how the democrats version of economics (spending) is gonna help the economy. Frankly, I don't understand either one.

where int the bill is they any help for us baby boomers who lost ther ejobs and can't retire because the people we help(banks) lost our 401 k money who going hire us older folk the bill itself is going put the consstruction trades people at less they did not take the extended unemployment money ot

What happened to the $15,000 real estate tax credit that would have revived the housing market!!

the only problem with these spending appropriations is that they languish in bureaucracy and the monies are not distributed in a brisk fashion that would be stimulative in the timeframe we need them. Just ask the folks in the Miss. and LA gulf coast still waiting for their home re-building grants 3 years after Katrina.

Was there any mention of a Stimulas check ,like we got last year?

Perhaps the Government and large corporate conventions should switch to Go2meeting .com instead of networking and meeting in a convention mecca such as Las Vegas. The $5 million saved could then be sent to the unemployment offices to support those who no longer work in Vegas, FL or any other destination resort that depends upon conventions for their existence.

When someone said the stimulus package is not working, it's because he or she has a job.

Is there ANYTHING for the millions of low-income seniors, especially women, who are trying to live on social security???????

did the stinulus package include unployment?

score: stimulus 10 middle-class 0 game over. what about investing in millions for hearing aids. that way every politician can be outfitted with a set and then maybe they can hear what the public has to say about it.

It's a little to too late don't you think for the Republicans to be speaking out against righting what was wrong under their watch. They should have spoken out against the Bush administration that created this mess and stood up for what was right for all American people. But their pockets are overflowing right now so there is no immediate urgency for them. President Obama needs to get this package signed. Period. It's nice that he wants to include the Republicans but he needs to keep in mind that when the Republicans controlled both houses, they didn't extend their hands across the aisle to the Democrats. They did what they wanted. They effectively raped everything that the Constitution stands for. Now, they sit there and cry and attack President Obama who is trying to give credibility back to our government and dignity to the average American. After what the Bush administration has done, that will be a monumental task. It's time to do the right thing because it's the right thing to do.

I see a lot of pork in the BILL that should not be in there.I see that a CG cutter was cut. That would bea plus as to add jobs right away. What or how many jobs will the National Science Foundationproduce?

Will the different categories (Environment, Education, Infrastructure Investments, etc) of the stimulus package be phased in at different times or will all of the categories be implemented at once? Please advise.

Thanks,

Ted

Is the $15000 tax credit for home purchases included or not?

The above only adds up to less than $300 billion. How about the rest $500 billion ? Further, $76.8 billion out of $300 billion is put into the category of "Education investments", which is not very informative. Can we please raise the level of journalism here...... and shed light with a more thorough breakdown

Did they take out the $15k for home buyers???

The President has been working very hard to get bipartisonship to work... I don't fon't for believe the other side of the aisle are sincere as they would have the american public believe. The fact is, prescious time is passing and people are losing their jobs by the day... Let's get it done like yesterday.

'The stimulus package is not perfect', says President Obama.

For me, a lay, the package looks pretty comprehensive, although not perfect, but what I hear most is exactly the opposite.

Anderson and Joe,
Although not perfect, you (personally) believe that the package will minimize the current problems?

Are they nuts, i do not see a thing that would help someone who just lost there job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just the same old crap!!!!! Why should I pay any more taxes???? Look where our taxes go......no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am looking at this and I don't see any mention of an extension to the 26 weeks of unemployment compenstion. I heard earlier that there would be a 33 week extension.

Also, where are the tax cuts? Is the Alternative Minimum Tax still intact or did they eliminate that for middle class taxpayers?

Is ther any reduction in the tax rate schedule for middle income taxpayers? Any rebate? Any increase in the exemptions or the tax breaks for children?

Please respond.

What about the National Instititues of Health? On Friday, there was $10 billion in the bill for medical research jobs.

What about the homebuyer tax credit?

Speaking of keeping them honest....Almost all of the Republicans are going to vote against the stimulus, but how much are their home states going to get out of it? Maybe CNN should look into that. I'm especially interested in all these South states like Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, etc, where the average white voter is so unfriendly to the Obama administration. You can bet they'll all be lined up for a share of this money.

So their Senators and representatives are phonies who get to have it both ways. They get to tell the folks back home they opposed the terrible liberals while they all still get to feed out of the public trough.

You have got to be kidding....How is this going to help unemployed???
This is not a bailout! Not for any of us americans. This is a joke!
This is all their pet projects!
SEND THIS MONEY TO US THE TAXPAYERS..LET US BAIL OURSELVES OUT!!!!
SENATORS AND CONGRESS..LISTEN!!! WE THE PEOPLE NEED THIS MONEY......NOT YOUR PET PROJECTS!!!!!

Where is the help for Senior Citizens? They plan on giving $1000 to working families, I guess we just don't count.

I see little here in terms of jobs in the immediate future. Infrastructure improvements take a year or more to get off the ground as to approvals from local and state agencies. This is spending not stimulus for 2009. This is also not bi-partisan with only 2 to 4 republicans signing on. Plus you have some democrats who will vote no. This is still not what the people need. We need tax relief through a reduction payroll taxes and immediate tax reduction for business owners so they can use their net income and reinvest in growing their business and hire more people. Spending is not stimulus.

What about the HealthCare IT bill which provides funding for Physicians to adopt Electronic Health Records?

On a 'stimulus' bill I would think the test is how does this stimulate jobs for Americans–as it is being touted to do. Reading through some of these I fail to see how they create -'stimulate'- jobs. This looks like the same old, same old with a larger price tag.
Much like the bail out is supposed to 'stimulate' the economy and is doing no such thing.

My concern for this bill is how the funds will be managed. The bill should be meant to create jobs. No company should be rewarded a government contract that does not include information on US employment. This information would include the number of new employees, number of current employees, types of jobs, and pay schedule.
None of the funds should be paid to companies outside of the United States.
In my opinion, the TARP funds were poorly managed and many people still lost jobs. Many people have lost their savings.
I would like a job managing the funds.

None of this money should go to any State where Senators voted against it. Better yet the Senators should put their money where their mouth is and refuse money offered to their states. Any benefit would need to just trickle down.

I am a sleepless 80 yr old, whose son inScottsdale,Az has lost his job, cannot find any work. GMAC will not talk to him re mortgage!!How has this plan helped this family? Is this going to be another empty forclosed home?

this is my first comment to you. MY son, in Scottsdale,AZ lost his job in Oct. There is no work to be had.GMAC will not speakl with him. There is already one empty home on the street. How can this stimulus package help this family? A sleepless mother in Florida!

How does this help me? I took a new job with 60% less pay to ensure health care for my children/wife. Now I am going into my savings at $2500/month to pay mortgage/bills over and above my current earnings.
Where is the lower middle class relief? Looks like my only option is to stop paying my mortgage to keep my reserves.

Pete

Again,I have read this thourghly and MY family will benefit from nothing,we are HARD WORKING LOW CLASS PERSONS, Where is our Governments HEADS? I know, We can not live in Public Housing,We CANNOT qualify for Weatherizatons,We do not work for Government,I guess we could work in a SHIP Yard,but in Tennesse that would be very hard,No HELP FOR US WITH Multiple Sclerosis,or other CHRONIC DISEASES,The Crisis facing OUR COUNTRY is our GOVERNMENT.SO here we GO again for Another FOUR YEARS OF NOTHING,ah we could all be like Angline Jolie and just worry about People in OTHER COUNTRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Can someone look into how many households we have in this country based on the US Census and add a million dollars to each household to the stimulus package. I think that will get the economy going. I bet it will be a lot smaller than the millions given to the banking industry.

I like the itemized list, but where's the rest? The numbers you provided doesn't come close to $780 billion. Is the remaining amounts the pork portion?

This piece of pork, earmarks, campaign promises fulfilled is a joke. We have just been Blagovich-ed but with an "F".

Dorothy…Close your eyes, click your heels together twice and say "there's no place like Illinois…there's no place like Illinois"

I would like to see a complete breakdown of the money. I only see about $250 billion in the programs listed.

What would happen if each taxpayer from 2008 would receive a debit card worth $8000 that would expire in 4 months if it is not used? It could not be used for saving and it could not be used for bills. Don't you think this would stimulate the economy?

I can tell you one thing for sure. There is going to be a lot of work for the Construction folks I find work for. I can already see signs of contract work picking up even before this money hits the streets. Seems like some of my clients are starting to feel a bit better about starting those projects they have had on hold for so long.Thats going to be a lot of money on Main Street folks instead of in off shore bank accounts and building COMMUNIST Chinese factories and in sustaining COMMUNIST Chinese and SOCIALIST Indian slave laborers. Money on Main Street is what I call STIMULOUS People regrdless of what those neo-con IDIOTS have been saying. It's NOT G W Bush tax cuts for the CEOs that use foreign labor and the already extremely wealthy who do nothing more than pump US Dollars into offshore bank accounts and foreign villas that create GOOD PAYING JOBs right here. That a PROVEN FACT. We have lost more jobs than G W Bush's 'tax cuts' have supposedly created. Bottom line is that tax cuts NOT SPENT HERE DO NOT CREATE WEALTH FOR THE UNITED STATES. They only give the COMMUNIST Chinese and the SOCILAIST Indians more of ours. Another name fo rthat BTW just happens to be REDISTRIBUTION. Looks like the Republicans have the shoe on the wrong foot when it comes to talking about REDISTRIBUTION FOLKS ! You know if Joe the Plumber actually had even half a Brain he'd realize this as well !!!!!!

Please vote NO on this bill and let the chips fall where they may. The economy will correct itself in time and by the bill's passage the Federal Government will only delay the recovery because of it's incompetent and wasteful interference. We don't need our deficit to grow to such an astronomical level.

A no vote is for Capitalism...the part of our society that creates jobs.

Thank you.

Ok, so I've been unemployed since April of 2008. I was an employment recruiter. You can imagine, in this economy, my position is no longer needed. I have applied everywhere, from Fast Food Chains, to Gas Station Clerk. I've been told I am either over qualified, or there are hundreds of applications ahead of mine.
My Benefits are about to run out. And no one can seem to clarify whether this stimulus package will help me or not. There is talk of extending benefits through the end of 2009. But does that mean the time you can apply for say, the second extention, or does that mean if your benefits have run out (including the emergancy extentions) that you're able to recieve yet another extention, helping you through the end of the year?
Please, if someone would be so kind as to explain this to me, I would be eternally grateful. I am a single mother of a beautiful little girl. Without these extended benefits, we would have lost our home already. As it is, we're barely making it monthly, on what little is offered through the benefit program. As little as it is however, I feel blessed that we've made it this far.

Hi. What about money to extend unemployment weekly benefits and also money for extending health care for those who have lost their jobs?

where is the help for all Americans who lost money in their 401K and retirement funds due to the lack of judgenment of Wall Street. This bill seems to me be all the special interest projects of the
Republicans and Democrats, and not in the best interest of the American people. Give the money to the people and let us SPEND our money the way we want. You gave money to BANKS and Wall Street and they just thumbed their noses at the Government and did as they damn well pleased. More needs to be cut from this Stimulus Package. There is no need to rush, People have been hurting since September, and nothng has been done in almost 6 months.

What about funding for the NIH? Spector & Harkins had increased from 3.5 to a total of 10 billion. Did that increase stand in the final Senate version? Thanks.

How is the stimulus package going to help people who are losing their houses?

I see no mention of help for medical insurance cost for seniors in this bill. Many presidents in the past created jobs for legal citizens in this country by deporting illegal aliens who have taken so many of our jobs. Why not approach unemployment in that way it would create millions of jobs take the burden off of our welfare system and social security and help the American people who deserve the help now.

Did the morons put in the15,000 dollar tax credit for the purchase of a home or the credit on the purchase of a car? There are plenty of us who are not hurting yet that would make purchases if not fot the fact that we are scared to death. A little incentive would be nice. Take some more of the crap out of the bill and put this in!! There is plenty in there that is a waste.

We need this done quckly!!. Some of the junk has baeen removed but the Republicans srill don't get it. Supply Side economics is a flawed philosophy. The Laffer Curve should be called th Laugher Curve. By holding it up for their mindless philosophical rantins, they have caused potential harm to the country.

This plan is still too small. Most of the economists in the know are saying that at least $1.5 trillion in stimulus is needed to result in sustained growth the both give the economy a pop and to keep it going. More infrastrucure spending and energy overhaul spending is needed. While this bill will give us a start, I suspect that we will be talking about a supplemental stimulus bill in a year or so.

What's in the stimulus? Very little in the short-term to help a struggling private sector and lots of spending for governmental wants to make the Obama administration look good in the long-term at the expense of people who can't feed their kids on a daily basis. Throw those billions we don't have anyway at everyday Americas. We can stimulate the economy by purchasing and turning this around. Kudos to senators with a functioning brain like Vitter and McCain who see this package for the joke that it is. When people feel safe spending and banks feel safe lending, then things will turn around. Government throwing billions away at their projects to appease this new president does nothing to make anyone feel safe. Except for those who want a socialist state. Because man, does this stimulus package reek of America going there fast.

That's only 364.8 billion; wheres the rest going?

This pork package is the single biggest waste of money this country has ever seen. I looked over the list and am trying to find a single dollar that would find the average middle class couple. Why are the drones out there so focused on this piece of...er, ... crap when a very simple plan proposed by the other side, i.e., a government backed 4% refinance rate for any qualified homeowner or new buyer. Now THAT would stimulate my wallet !! Banks would be flooded with refi applications (good), home sales increase (good), and the average homeowner has a higher disposable income (estimated on average to be ~$450 per month) FOR THE LIFE OF THE LOAN to purchase goods.

If my math is correct, the above expenditures total less than $300 billion which is a minority of the spending. Where is the major of spending allocated??

i would like to know if they dropped the money going to the unions for their support.also if they dropped the money going to acorn for their wonderful support in padding the voters box.i thought that both of these were in the package.

Where is the money for the people in the stimulus package. All I've seen is money for things that we dont need. The main thing is to get people working again and out of the unemployment line.

Still looks like a pork bill to me. Why is 76.8 billion in Education Funding doing here including – 39 billion in state fiscal relief for education, 13 billion in Pell Grants, 13.5 billion in special education funding, 10.1 in Title I. This is a stimulus package not an education bill.

Almost every item on this list is an investment. More economic activity is going to be created for every dollar of stimulus in the short run and assets that will continue to generate an economic return (infrastructure, education, healthier workers) in the long run are also created.

This is not a great bill.But it is the best that we can hope for.Last years solution was to mail out rebate checks so people could spend.Yea,so how did that work out??!!Republicans in the senate voted 36 to 5 on the McCain amendment to have the stimulus package of 100% tax cuts.People will simply pay debts and save the money just like last year! Kudos for Susan Collins and Olympia Snow! They seem to be the only moderate republicans in the senate.To bad other states don't have such a tandom of senators. *Dave

Great! So the government thinks that taking $780 billion dollars out of taxpayers pockets will stimulate the economy. Yea right.

I can't afford groceries and rent, how am I going to afford the governments spending plan? Exactly who out there doesn't realize that this big spending craze is coming from the taxpayers pocket?

Have they totally lost their minds?

Are you kidding? There is still so much money that is going to be wasted. Go back to the drawing board!! How about givng a2% reduction on mortgage rates across the board (small or large) home owners would benift! Back it with TARP money to the mortage companies. That would provide the cash flow they need to start lending. It would also be an immediate reduction on homeowners expenses. There is far to much money tied up in transportation it is just spread out under numorus titles. Low cost health care could be provided by quality Drs. If we went to neighborhood haelth clinics staffed by physicians donating their time, maybe 4 hours a week in return for tax credit at the end of the year. This is done in our courts providing frre legal counsel to those who can't afford it. There are plenty of empty store fronts available that could be used. Don't look at short term jobs that although create short term jobs, just postpone dealing with the problem. Our congressmen and women need to get off ther personal agendas. Drop the money that they are trying to get for their local constituients and lok at what is best for the country as a whole. What is going to help the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time. When President Obama campaigned he accused Republicans of using scare tactics to get votes. Has he heard is own speeches. Slow down! Step back, and use some rationale. Please, don't settle for a quick fix that doesn't solve the problem!!

Thanks for the list. It's the best description of the spending side of the bill that I have seen. The problem is that spending on things like education is not the best way to make a quick impact on the slow economy. Also, I suspect that the detailed spending under these categories either doesn't exist, or will turn out to be wasted pork barrel projects or intended for social re-engineering...not economic stimulus. Every project should meet the criteria of being an economic stimulus and have a return on investment analysis completed and audited, BEFORE it is included in the bill. Urgency is no excuse for lack of correct process or thoughtlessness. The fastest way to fix a problem is to get the solution right the first time!!!

The best way to quickly stimulate the economy is to let the citizens keep their own money via immediate tax cuts and rebates, and let them spend it in the economy for themselves. Don't change anything else! When the governent keeps and spends our tax dollars, no one is responsible to spend them wisely and corruption prevails. Beware, some of our politicians are corrupt idiots just trying to socially rebuild the nation in their vision.

My question is I heard about tax cuts, tax credit for new car purchase, and first time home buying what happened to these things? Also if they are still there does that count on 2008 Tax return or 2009 Tax return. If 2009 that will not help now!!!

How does any of this help me get a job?

The major question appears to be this: is the problem micro-economics or macro-economics or both? The large banks made, allowed, and condoned all of the bad debt; so why not let the large banks suffer the economic and market consequences of their actions.
This present age is very much like a former one: "Kierkegaard's Existentialist just before the Great Depression, in that, feelings of Alienation are presently applied to a wide variety of phenomena including: separation from, and discontent with society; feeling that there is a moral breakdown in society; feelings of powerlessness in the face of the solidity of social institutions; the impersonal, dehumanised nature of large-scale and bureaucratic social organisations.
As most legislators know, applied Keynesian Economics is an unproven experiment. It 's specific applications have never been experimentally implemented in our present environment .This apparent fact makes it a problematic and real dilemma. The meaning of values has been sucked out of them by a lack of authority. Instead of the authority of the past or other great and lasting voice, we have emptiness and uncertainty.
Thus, as Existentialists would have it, "action" is ethically more important than any matter of fact. And Truth is found in subjectivity rather than objectivity.

Robert, retired teacher

This is embarassing. There are still sixteen items I counted that don't directly apply to helping the immediate needs of our strugling unemployed. I don't think this is what Pres. Obama had in mind but he may have to move ahead with this flawed plan (with HD earmarks.)in the interests of time.
Once again; I have doubts about the good sense of our congress. ( I am a registered democrat)

The earmarks listed above are not transparent enough. I ,as well as every other LEGAL TAX PAYING AMERICAN deserve to see the PORK that is attached to each earmark listed. From what I can see ,and have read, there is NO stimulus in this package. I think it's time to clean up all this garbage in Congress ,and start representing the PEOPLE the way our Government elected officials are supposed to. How about everyone put aside their personal / political gain and think about what's best for our GREAT COUNTRY?

Anderson, what scares me the most about this $780 billion "stimulus" package is where the money is coming from. It is being borrowed (with interest) from Saudi Arabia and China. The Saudi's and Chinese are already the biggest recipients of money from the U.S. in the form of petroleum and manufactured goods to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars which has ballooned the trade deficit. Now we are adding hundreds of billions of dollars in bailout money on top of that. They already had a stranglehold on America's energy and manufacturing and now they really got us by the short hairs! America has gone from a rich, powerful nation to a beggar with tin cup in hand. Why isn't anyone talking about this? There isn't anything the hard-line Muslims and Communists want more than to see the collapse of capitalism in the U.S. and by God, we are certainly giving them cause for celebration.

This is an overview, but doesn't really give the voter the transperancy that is required to make an informed decision as to whether or not they like it or not and to inform their respective Senator or Representative.

Certain things were cut per the CNN website and that alone should scare most people. $5 Billion to keep the politicians warm in the winter and cool in the summer (under the HOUSING category). I believe it was listed as "Energy Efficient Capital buildings". That is CRAZY!!

How much of the pork package is going to democratic states and how much is going to republican states ? and where exactly is the money going to do for those states.

Thanks for putting pell grants on your board last night, Anderson. I'm a single mother and full time student at Penn State.

The GOP is using the excuse of state responsibility for maintaining public schools to do what they always do. That is anything they can to harm the public school system. A perfect example was CSAP testing requirements without proper funding. Now, knowing well that no state in the Union will be capable of maintaining, let alone building and repairing schools after they destroyed the economy with their illegal war, tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations that sent American jobs over seas to cheap labor markets, they insist the states carry the financial burden of building and repairing schools. This strategy falls perfectly in line with their desire to destroy public schools in favor of the voucher for private school system they have worked long and hard for. Building and repairing schools will in fact create numerous jobs and should be a part of the stimulus package.

I would like a very simple explanation:

EXACTLY what jobs WILL BE CREATED in EACH OF THE CATEGORIES so as a TAXPAYER I can decide if I should support or oppose? Don't give me categories. I want specifics. Thank you.

Does this bill do anything for the seniors or the disabled? I read somewhere where they were going to send a check for $300 to each disabled person or anyone who is on social security. Is this true?

My math could be off but this list of "stimulus" items only adds up to about $364.8 Billion. Still haven't identified about $415.2 Billion? I think people would love to understand how many jobs each item is intended to create or save. Whether those jobs are short term or long term? Whether those jobs are in the public sector (government) or private sector? I think another interesting piece of information would be how much each state is getting by line item. Transparency is a wonderful double edged sword.

Just curious, since President Obama had stated during his campaign that he wanted to increase the NIH budget, if any money was allocated to NIH as part of the economic stimulus package. Thanks!

Thank you for posting the specifics that are in the stimulus plan. I'm sorry, but I can find almost no pork in this bill. What have the Republicans been talking about? The bill contains excellent spending for education, energy, security, and infrastructure that we need in the short and long term. CNN should give more time to publicizing the best of this bill and explaining why spending IS stimulus instead of offering so much prime time to Republican partisan politics. Please help the American people understand the economics of spending.

Each of these requires people (i.e., jobs!) to implement, or train for. Research & development preceed many projects, bringing white collar jobs, too. Not all jobs will be construction work. Teachers, social workers, support staff go along with many of these items. It's ALL jobs.

I have just a few thoughts on the matter. Both Republicans and Democrats are extremely irresponsible in this matter. We need action now and not foolish untimely measures placed into our rescue package. History tells us that it is a mixture of tax cuts and spending that will effectively move the economy out of the doldrums. If the President thinks about it, he coud use this occasion to ask thet he be given a line item veto for such times. I tire of these woes and I tire of all the rhetoric aimed at why the President is or is not doing this or that. Where was all of this intelligence when the past administrations were in place? Where were all of the scholars and political heros when we needed them? If they were so advanced then the question should be, what were they doing when it was there turn at the wheel? Oh, I know, they were too busy going with the flow!

I would like to know more details directly affecting American households through the proposed Economic Stimulus. Does every household receive $500/$1000 or is it dependent on having worked in a job during 2008? Will it be a direcgt check or a reduction in Social Security payments? What about those with government jobs that don't pay into SS but pay into a different retirement system?

The republicans are right. There is not of spending directed towards new jobs. How can we continue to feed the poor when the rich are broke. I don't care if your a dem or rep. Just make a real Stimulus package that will work.

JB

This information is helpful in analyzing the breakdown of the Senate's version of the Stimulus Package. However I believe that it has been reported that 58% of the $780B in the Senate's Stimulus Package, or $452B, is allocated for spending programs and the total of the above analysis is $245B. What comprises the balance of the $207B in proposed spending programs? How does the allocation for spending programs of the House version compare to the Senate version? Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Is there any place where specifics of everything that's in the stimulus package can be found. I see a number of items listed here but certainly isn't everything. I see no mention of tax cuts for example.

If I did the math right I came up with a total of $285 billion for the items you listed. Where is the balance of the $780 billion going??

It seem that people have forgot about what happen durning the home prices started to come down. IT WAS THE HIGH PRICE OF GAS.People of the lower mid. class that will spead also, but had three choices to make. one house, personal needs and gas for their cars to go to work with. In willmar people paid for the high price gas and cut down on their other needs. WHY IS THIS NOT REPORTED ON!

Why do you broadcast national leaders showing off their ignorance?

The new head of the RNC doesn't know what a fish passage is, therefore it must be unnecessary pork. The Senate majority leader says that retrofitting government buildings won't create jobs.

Retrofitting replaces/repairs leaky doors and windows. adds/repairs weather striping and insulation etc. This CREATES construction jobs and uses manufactured goods (hopefully manufactured in the U.S.). After retrofitting the building will use less energy to heat and cool- reducing costs. Isn't that what this bill is supposed to be about?

Fish passages are structures that allow fish to bypass manmade structures, like dams, to get to spawning grounds (that's where they reproduce). No fish passages, no salmon, no jobs for salmon fishers.

Maybe the RNC figures salmon (and other picky fish) should just reproduce where they can or suffer the consequences. Unlike fish, rats will reproduce anywhere. Maybe the RNC can develop a policy to take fish off the menus and put rat on. At the rate Washington is moving, we may all be looking for a good rat recipe soon.

I support President Obama but I see things in this bill that need to be cut out and add more money to others like infrastructure and grids and education etc.. I saw a story on the amtrack on how they got away with not paying taxes and now they want money! No way! and I see items listed several times with mixed wording. I hope the President looks at this and cleans it up with out listening to the political posturing that is going on especially on the republican side who didn't have trouble spending when bush was in office and didn't step up when the housing market began to crumble and NOW they care! They need to get out of the way and the democrats need to be more pragmatic and listen more to the independent moderate thinkers and both parties need to pop the bubble around their brains and let it breath then maybe they can follow our Presidents vision who actually thinks outside the box!

what you list here is about 1/3 of the $870 B. In order to give us a complete picture of the Bill, I would appreciate a complete list of the spendings and tax credits.

Dear Mr. Cooper:

Thanks for this. When we get the United States of America back on the "Gold Standard," we shouldn't need this Economic Stimulus Plan. What say you about that?

we need to stop giving money to these banks..they are crooks and cant run a good business..obviously..so why are we rewarding them for failing..let them all close down..and start from scratch. nationalize the banks and then,we, as taxpayters, become share holders and get a return on our investments.

I'm upset that the government can just print up any amount of money they want with nothing backing it. Isn't that illegal because if you or I printed one hundred dollars of fake money we're going to jail. It's super hypocritical. Government is getting way to arrogant.

What is any of this stuff? PORK? What a joke!!! How will this "stimulate" the economy?

It is unfortunate so much scientific research was cut from this. It is well known that scientific research and discovery has brought technology and medicine to a new foreground which leads to job creation. i fail to see why many cant look at the big picture when it comes to scientific research and development.

I am disheartened. I do not see how this will quickly turn around the economy and put people back to work. Where are the incentives to get the consumer to spend and business to invest? Am I missing something? I see $2 billion for a high-speed rail. When is that going to be built and how will it stimulate the economy and help the average Joe in the next year?

I realize that Amy Holmes is young. Someone needs to let her know that it is inappropriate to call the President "Obama'. When speaking of him, she should call him President Obama, Mr. Obama or just the President. She shows him and the office of the presidency disrespect by calling him 'Obama.'

We can continue, however, to call John McCain, 'McCain.'

The tax cuts for buying a house. New houses, existing houses, $7,500 (to pay back) $15,000 (not pay back), bought after April, 2008, bought in 2009, first time buyer, any buyer, primary only, second homes?????? How does it compare with house bill? Who will be on the Conference Committee? When will conference committee meet?

So this is Obamas plan and how he is going to change DC? Bribe some of the weaker Republicans to pass a Bill that nobody approves of and let the Tax cheats get away? He has made nummerous mistakes in cabnit picks and promised to play with all the players. He said he was going to change Washington. When and how is this going to happen? He is the one contributing to the problem and making it so obvious and public. This is not "change", it just has someone else's name on it.

Also, I want to add that my initial excitement for Obama is quickly fading and being replaced by concern and worry.

Where is the household stimulus?

This bill is a spending "orgy", and I've yet to hear much about how the "tax cuts" are broken out. People are supposed to get $1,000 tax rebate/credit/something...That is just a waste of money, most of us will use it to pay down debt, which I don't think will have much of an effect to stimulate the economy . I heard they were going to give a tax credit if you bought a new car or house, which I thought was stupid because who in their right mind is thinking about buying a new car or house NOW. We are all just trying to figure out if we'll have a job next month... Also heard the idea of 4% across the board fixed interest rate on mortgages (new or refinanced) which I thought was a great idea, but then heard it would only apply if you had a subprime mortgage, and now I don't hear anything about that.

I think there is a whole lot of questions about how this going to help the average guy, and those questions hve still not been answered......

What about seniors that has lost most of their money invested with financial advisors, and have depleted most of their retirement money...what do they live on.....????? what benefits do they get????I don't see any thing to help them out...with only a few more years to live, what willl they do????who is going to help them?

Agree with Will, why is the remainder of $500 Billion to be spent on. Since we will be paying for this, we do have a right to get a complete list of expenditure!!!
I do not see anything for the homeowners, or to extend the unemployment payments to famiies.
Yes, we need to employ the people that lost their jobs. Without that help, homes will continue to foreclose, spending will dramactically decrease more so.
Was not the first main concern to help stop foreclosures? Where is this addressed in the stimulus plan.
Why do the companies that we bailout, still able to spend at their will for unneeded events, etc.
I would love to see the people stand up, speak loud, and demand the ceasing of this behavior. I also believe that all the unwarranted bonus's used with the bailout money be returned through an invoice from the people of the United States. Our government needs to protect up and somehow have that money returned. While this useless spending goes on many are becoming homeless. People that gave these Lenders/Banks money to supposedly help them with the foreclosure issues.

The government has to work harder and demand integrity from all that are given any bailout money.

Dear JoAnn:

The NSF directly funds research groups throughout America. On top of increasing the amount of students and skilled post-doctoral researchers that can be hired, spending on fine chemicals and instrumentation increases. In my opinion, this would directly stimulate the skilled labor force, one that has taken a major hit recently.

what about the seniors what money are they going to get to help us put food on our table and drugs we need you gave us medicade but it does not cover dental,glasses hearing aids......do you think we are already dead................never any talk about us who spend our whole lives paying taxes.

There is no way this bill will stimulate the economy. This was all dumped into one bill. It did not take into consideration what is most important. There most be short term and long term goals. This bill will not help a 50 year old unemployed American find work. People that have a job can stimulate the economy. They will have the hope and the money to go out and spend. What is needed in America is substantial job RETRAINING programs. We produce young people that do not have the skills that are needed to be productive employed citizens.
The income tax needs to be reduced so that individuals have more discretionary income. That will put more money in the hands of individuals to stimulate the economy.

We need to STOP the outsourcing of American jobs to India and other countries. We are letting other countries THINK for us. This was started in the 90's and has brought about devestating results on our economy and our young people. What a shame.

The rest of the stimulus bill here is going toward tax cuts. That is what is most remarkable about the delays we're seeing. Most of this stimulus bill is already going toward tax cuts. IMO it doesn't go nearly far enough in spending for more jobs.

We already had a 300 billion dollar stimulus bill earlier this year, and it obviously did nothing. 500 dollars does nothing for someone about to go out of work, and certainly nothing for someone financially secure like me. Another 20 million jobs though instead of 400 billion in tax breaks would help the economy far more, and we'd all earn far more than 500 dollars in the process.
The tired old republican method has clearly failed... why is it such a big part of this bill?

OK,
That adds up to about 287 billion. Where is the rest of the pork?

Stimulus Bill – I'm very disappointed that I voted for President Obama,
he is allowing all his democratic cohorts to add too much PORK into this bill. Personally, I've lost faith in him.

I wish he would allow citizens with common sense to help create the stimulus bill. We would look at it with the eyes of people facing a depression, not business as usual.

A payroll reduction would help get this package through Congress.

The Senate should take all the PORK money (ATV trails, STD edu, etc.) out of the bill. Put that money into a federal account that would suppliment a payroll reduction. The reductions should start on April 1st and continue for 18mo's. The additonal income for American families will allow them to purchase hybrid cars, insulate their homes, etc and spend money, which I believe is the Bills goal.

This will stimulate the economy and create jobs.
.
The government should then increase payroll taxes to there current levels in one year increments.

If the bill implemented some decent form of a payroll reduction, the immediate outcome would also support the good long term goals within this package, which are beneficial to our country.

It would also help get the votes of the republician party.

We need help with our home payments. I thought they were going to lower everyones interest rates. OMG! When are they going to get it together and do it right? Our schools are in bad condition, teachers are being laid off and our children the ones that will suffer. I wish they would stop arguing and do something fast. We need people to get back to work. Fire those bank executives that took advantage of the first bank bail outs. They were quick to give money bail outs to those bank executives, but are upset about bailing out our schools, jobs.

Did anyone else catch President Obama's comment on jobs??
He said "SAVE" or create about 3 million. So, what is it, Create or
SAVE???? What about all the job loses that have happened already?
Are they just lost?

Why not fix our broadband connections so you can get connected anywhere with less cost.? The cost to get online is getting prohibitive, and frustrating to get on somewhere wireless. If we spent just a portion of this to enable broadband anywhere, for a reasonable price, just think of the efficiencies we would receive. Instead of having to pay for slow broadband connections that are extremely slow, we could connect anywhere at a reasonable connection fee. I'm afraid the telephone company lobbyists are way too powerful.

Looks like a huge spending bill on favorite projects. These should be evaluated separately from the Stimulus package to determine if we should spend the money on them. We need tax reductions for corporations. We have on of the highest tax rates on companies in the world. Due to the high rates, we are not competitive in the world market. If we cut the rates, the companies might be able to afford to keep more people employed. We should also cut capital gains taxes to encourage investment and possibly give tax deductions for savings.

Mr. Johns,

Is the COBRA subsidy not in the bill anymore? That was the piece that I am personally counting on the most.

Thanks.

-Adam
Boston, MA

This is a worst than useless list at the moment, since it only lists a small fraction of the entire package. Judging by some of the comments, its only creating confusion right now.

The stimulus plan currently on the table contains over 40% in tax cuts for small businesses, middle class families, new home buyers, and car buyers, yet none of those are listed here!

As a responsible news organization, please either put up a full summary of the plan, or pull this entirely.

Whats in the Stimulas you ask?- PORK,PORK,PORK!
You want to stimulate the economy give the money to those of us who need a hand up so we can pay off our debts, pay our bills ahead a couple of years which I could easily do with $10,000.00 this in turn helps those pay their bills, put food on their tables. You want to give my money to Corperations – fine – they get the same treatment they have given me-
Uncle Sam can pay me 21% interest & they can send me a check each month until the debt is paid if they miss a few payments I get their house, car,real estate – which I'll turn around & sell for pennies on the Dollar, Make a huge profit & I can live the rest of my life in peace & comfort.

I like the infrastructure and transportation part.
BTW: The National Science part is looking to the future.

I have heard that there will a one-time $300 to each person who receives the Social Security benefit.
Is this correct?
Is it still in the 780 Billion Surplus?

HOPE SO.

I understand that the Republican party feels hurt that the main street public has lost confidence in their ideology. However, the Republicans need to think progressive as opposed to feeling vengeful. Main street's perspective is that the Republicans do not want to give this method a chance and would rather watch the country further decline with unemployment encroaching double digit. It will be harder for our nation to recover when one side does not wish to pick up the shovel and would rather stand by and criticize.

It should be obvious, but apparently it isn't, that the underlying problem fueling this crisis is really the unrecognized role and importance of the working class in society. Just observe who is suffering the most and reacting the loudest–the workers in almost every country. This should tell us something and help us to question how society recognizes and determines labor's place in society. Perhaps, failure to redress their grievences with the best minds and best principled intentions and intuitions will almost insure that no amount of money or tax relief, or bail-out insentives will provide enough purpose and stability for workers the world-over to shoulder us out of this crisis. Perhaps it could be put into the form of a question, what is more important for the future stability and progress of society, money or human labor? The most principled and intuitive answer to this question will more than likely determine our future stability and progress.

It all sounds pretty porky. I don't think this is going to stimulate our economy. In fact it looks like someone from wall street wrote it. Pork projects, money unaccounted for, bad investments, ineffective stategies. Yep if these guys ever get tired of government they will fit right in on wall st. First of all they need to adjust our trade policies(the only people afraid of a trade war are the people who are bribing our leaders cause they know they will lose). Then invest in United States businessand companies. They took a great provision out for trading in a used car on a new american made car because foreign special interest was whining. Gee, I was'nt aware we were trying to stimulate the korean economy!!!!

what do we need tax cuts for if nobody has a job!!?? We need money to get jobs going first-then maybe we'll need tax cuts!!

is there an internet site where the public can see a detail description, even a high-level description of the Stimulus package by item, detail and cost? If we could all look at the same data tha would help the discussion.

Does ACORN and others alike still get the $4.19 billion? Obviously a "thankyou" gift by Obama and the Dem's for helping in the election......that ought to stimulate alot of jobs huh?

This is a sickening pork barrel spending plan. This should ONLY be for stimulus causes. Take up the other stuff later.

This is a jobs program for everybody but Americans. Take construction jobs, for example. I am a licensed Professional Engineer experienced in construction of all types....

Engineers here on special high tech work visas will design the projects. The draftsmen will be overseas drawing up the plans on AutoCAD. The workers will be illegal immigrants using fake ID cards. The materials like cement and steel will be imported from Mexico or Japan. The motors and heavy equipment will be Made in China.

Most of the roads in cities will end up being toll roads. So, for generations to come, the American consumer will be paying for everything – in the $200 billion annual interest charge for this bill + the toll road fees + unemployment insurance for all the illegal and foreign workers once the money is spent.

This looks VERY DISAPPOINTING.... First, it doesn't add up to the total – where is the BULK of the money going??? Second, this doesn't look too promising for creation of jobs – especially for those of us who happen to be female & over the age of 45. Third, healthcare for adults? Anything to bridge the gap between eligibility for medicaid and medicare (you currently have to be disabled for 2 years before you can get health care through medicare) – adult cancer patient????

I THINK MAYBE WE/THEY SHOULD START OVER.... tax cuts should be a low priority – they haven't helped the majority of Americans for the last 8 years!!!

now that all the executives have jobs assured...where's our manufacturing jobs in electronics like TV"S< then to sub companies in AUTO"S<<<< onto paper industries onto,,,,food companies like smithfield ..etc,,,where a re public works programs in all cities to reduce the 7 to 4% unemployment....Isn"t it nice the rectums all kissed themselves in The Senate

President Obama is heading in the right direction...Hes is doing everything he promised so far...I love that fact that he passed a bill to stop these CEO's paying themselves millions of our tax dallards to re-model offices..He passed a very important bill to protect fair pay for women...I recently also pass a bill that will extend childrens health care...I really belive he is a great man....and so far has earn my respect..A republican

Jason

In previous elections some Republicans went though great lengths to question the patriotism of Democratic candidates, and as a result some lost elections as people questioned their honor.
Now, we have a situation in which the country is in crisis and the President has said we are facing "catastrophe" unless we pass an economic stimulus package. In the House, no Republicans voted for the bill, and in the Senate only three Republicans supported the bill. Many Republicans will only change their vote if the bill contains either all tax cuts or mostly tax cuts, even though this point of view has been discredited by experience and by some of the most recognized economists in the country.
I thought in times of crisis we, Democrats and Republicans, are supposed to put partisan differences aside and join together for the good of the country. Obviously, the Republicans are unable to think beyond their selfish interests,. So I ask you. Who is being unpatriotic
in this latest crisis to befall the American Republic?

We need about $50B for Small Business Administration loans to be given with relaxed credit and collateral rules.

I can picture the spending bill creating jobs. I am unemployed veteran and even though I can not see how exactly it would help me personally, I can see the over all good of it. It is not all about me, some people forget about that. We tried Bush for 8 years and most of that was under a Republican control congress. Let give the other party a chance.

Looks good to me. Obama needs to make sure that this money does not end up in the hands of the greedy, unamerican that led us down this path. Oh, yeh. American is a democratic country, not a capitalistic one. Capitalism is the benificiary of a free society, not the other way around. Period.

This plan is a disgrace. There should not have been a bailout and we do not need to waste more of our money, our children's money with a stimulus plan. When businesses fail there will be other people who are more fiscally sound to step in ad buy them, rearrange them and continue. This is call capitalism! Did you ever wonder why we are a great country at such an early age as compared to the rest of the world? It is called a free market, supply and demand, entrepreneurism; capitalism at work. Just leave us alone, and let it work itself out. The mortgage situation was caused by the Government forcing the lenders to lend money to people who could not pay the money back. But "we must be fair... everybody should have a right to own a home". Well make them work for the home. don't just qualify THEM Because the government makes us do it. This is just one example of BIG government and we don't need it nor want it. so NO Stimulas!!!

I personally think that this money would be better spent , if they gave every american citizen the money and Let US stimulate the economy.
I know I would buy a car I desperatly need, pay off my credit cards, pay off any loan I may have, and buy things that I would like to have but cant afford.. That would stimulate the economy, State would get more tax dollars, manufacters would open back up due to people spending, banks would get the money they have put out for loans and credit cards, People would travel, buy gas, hotels, food, ect....
Small bussiness would see incresses too, I know some families would do home repairs and upgrades. Everyone would be a winner.... And there would be no PORK spending.....

There is so much "pork" in this package. Remember our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will be paying for this. I feel bad for the people that are out of jobs, but we can get ourselves out of this mess by getting tax cuts. You can not just create jobs that are not needed. Where does that money come from? All the pork in the stimulus package is only helping the Democrats. They are giving money to the unions and the other people that got them elected. WAKE UP AMERICA...we are on our way to becoming a socialist country at this rate. It has not worked in any other country. One lady said that she would have died had she not come to the US for her surgery. You have to wait too long in Canada, who has a national health plan. I know for a fact that you can wait 6 months to 2 years to have surgery because I have a friend whose whole family lives in Canada. If that is the only way a person can get insurance, than give it to them; but do NOT force the people who are insured go national. I want a choice in my doctors because you need to trust them.

Hi,
I am writing about the stimulus deal. What about individuals like myself whom are widowers with several mortgages? I have had three homes forclosed since my husband's death, and in the process of having the home that my children and I reside in to foreclose. What about the bail out for me? I tried to refinace the mortgages, but I was told that due to the prior foreclosures that I cannot. How am I to keep my home? The banks received billions for top executives but no bank will assist me. I am a tax payer as well. Who is going to help me? What am I to do? Your prompt answers and or solutions are greatly appreciated. Or is this another ploy to give the rich and take from hard worker like myself.

I have notice the GOP only care about the rich; they are trying to push there agenda for the wealthy. If I was a millionaire, I would enjoy all the tax cuts I can get. I just assume the wealthy had a tax with the Bush stimulus package (wasn’t that supposed to have create jobs for middle class America. The rich just took the money and ran; lay off the middle class). If you are going to have tax cut it should be for the middle class. Middle class Americans are just searching for work so they can take care of there families; did the GOP get the memo. We already gave to the rich (Bush stimulus package; focus on middle class Americans please GOP). Anything is worth a shot. The GOP does not care about middle class America (how many times I have to say it). How can you make changes and not agree with the changes you made (GOP is just making excuses so they wouldn’t have to give to the middle class Americans). My question is when it comes to giving back to the middle class, why isn’t the GOP on board with that? They are only on board when it comes to giving to the rich (Wall Street, Bush stimulus package). They only come together when President Obama wanted to giving back to the middle class. For the past eight years we gave back to the rich and see what happen.

As much as I hate to admit it, there's some truth to what the republicans are saying – this is not an economic stimulus bill! This bill should really be split into two bills: an economic stimulus bill and a safety-net for the unemployed and poor bill. I may want to see increased health care and education spending, but not sneaked in as 'economic stimulus.' It feels like a sham. Let's call things what they are and prioritize appropriately.

OK, where is the rest of the money going ? This list only represents about 1/3rd of the money. Most of the items on the list DO NOT help the individual or family directly. It looks like the major stimulus promises were removed. Also – is there direct oversight on how the moneys are spent ? Like money going to the states for one Stimulus purpose and then being used for another.

Are all of the current 3.6 million unemployed construction workers, bridge builders, and pit diggers or are they IT workers, teachers, sales people, clerical workers and analysts? How will spending on rebuilding infrastructure stimulate this economy and provide jobs for them?

This seems to be about the government spending my money; whatever little there is left...Margaret Thatcher was supposed to have said "The problem with socialism is that eventually the spenders run out of someone else's money". In 5 years, when they raise taxes for the middle class to repay this debt, where will that money come from?

BTW, the middle class isn't spending because folks have wracked up more than $3 Trillion in debt and the banks charge almost 29% interest. Do you wonder why people are using whatever $$ they get to pay off their debt?

The current package is at best, a bandaid! While I understand we need to help those loosing their jobs, but If we don't fix what caused the problems in the first place, we are only prolonging the ultimate collapse of the economic future of Americans. While the "Buy American" provision of the Bill was wattered down, I'd like to see a provision that proibits outsourcing any of this money overseas. What good does it do out-of-work Americans to create or support jobs overseas (like manufacturing Solar collectors).

I'm sorry Corporate America, but it's time to put Americans first and profits second!

Stimuls = Consumer & Business Spending ONLY

Car purchases = 3000.00 tax Credit for new cars > 20mpg

New home buyers = 10,000.00 tax deduction the 1st year.

Energy Saving Home Improvements = 33% tax deduction (wind solar, geothermal)

Energy Saving Appliance purchases = 20% tax deduction (Energy Star Qualified)

These are things that provide an INSTANT POP to the economy
Tax Credits dont work becauce people will either save it or pay off old bills

I have been trying to get Countrywide six months to lower the interest rate they raised to 10%...going to lose my home. Wonderful...they are offering 15k for new homeowners to buy my home...great country we live in.

Someday....all this sh..t is going to end...someone / group is going to have to do something..

Getting tired of all of this..

What! Cut enery efficient federal buidlings! I work in a federal building that is probably the worst energy efficient building I have ever seen. AIr conditioning running during the winter and heaters running during the summer.

Can the money previously approved for the financial institutions be used to get help for people unemployed, losing homes, etc? What is in the stimulus bill for people on social security like me? Will I get a check or will it show up in the monthly check or what? Where can we see the entire plan on the internet to see what affects each of us?

Is there anything in the current stimulus in the Senate to benefit non working/retired senior citizens?

Looks like Ron Paul was right all along.

As a non working/retired senior citizen, I am interested in knowing if there is anything in the latest Senate version of Stimulus Package that pertains to my situation?

Someone needs to Remind Mr. Obama that bragging about winning an election against a senior citizen is not bery smart. There is another one in just a little under 18months. Ask Bill Clinton how dangerous those mid term elections can be. If the peaple get fed up with the arregance and attitude of the democrats, thay could find themselves with another Republican congress. The popularity for this Stimulas Package is weak, Mr. Obama #'s are also on the down swing. Mr. Obama, a word of advice. LISTEN TO THE PEAPLE NOT NANCY POLOSA, HARRY REED. THEY ONLY HAVE ONE VOTE FOR PRESIDENT. A registered Independent

I have a question..WHY DO THE BANK CEOS STILL HAVE THEIR JOBS?
WHY NOT FIRE THEM AND USE THEIR SALARIES TO SAVE AMERICA'S JOBS?

As a teacher in California who faces losing her job because California's gov't can't get a budget passed for the life of them, I'm holding my breath awaiting to see if this stimulus package gets passed. My small school district amongst every other in California is facing letting teachers go (increased class sizes), cutting music teachers, librarians, etc. It has really put a damper on our morale. All I want to do is go into work each day and give my students the best education they deserve, without having to worry if I will have my job next year.

As I read through this list, like many other readers, I too think..."What do they need all that money for?" However, the reality is is that if it saves jobs from being lost/creates future jobs then it's worth it. The Special Education Funding and Title I Funding will definitely save lots of teaching jobs, mine included. I'm tired of Education in this country taking a back seat, it's time to put our most valuable resource first.

It 's to bad that that governors don't have a vote on the stimulus bill.According to Moody's,the quickest stimulus spending will come from states.(unemployment benefits,food stamps an infrastructure)Republican governors are President Obama's best ally rite now.They have to deal with our economic situation daily.Republican congressman and senators should take notice of this. *Dave

Could CNN post the full list of items on the bill? I just finished reading it's 647 pages; every American should do the same.

There are items of pointless nature on the list that CNN is not telling us......WHY?

The President is desperate to get this liberal spending bill passed before the country realizes what is in it. This is really just a payback to the special interests that helped him get elected. He has resorted to hysterical fear rhetoric about the economy and that is making the economic situation worse. It is a shame that he is putting the special interests ahead of the best interests of the country...but he is not the first politian to do that.

Chill out poeple. This is complicated.
Think before jumping on a political or emotional bandwagon.....
Alot of this stuff is stimulative if spent in the right way..
That's the question...will it be spent in the right way?
I am assuming the difference is tax cuts, which by the way don't help those without a job!