I thought Rove and Delay were gone. Who is currently wielding the whip that has the Republican Congress marching in lockstep? Pretty damned impressive.
Why is there no way for me to send this query directly to A. Cooper?

Please can someone really keep them honest and raise the question of extremely vague restrictions on executive compensation in the current bill that allows these Wall Street executives interpret the bill however they deem suitable. Phrases like "Golden Parachutes" in the bill are stupid. Americans want a definitive numerical cap on compensation for these greedy Corporate Executives for some years.

Houston, TX

We are sick and tired of congress (both democrats and republicans) ! Nobody knows at this point what will work and what won't regarding getting the economy going again, but what we the citizens of America do know is the "childlike, theatrical, and apparently "spoiled" behaviors of our highest politicians in this country is a complete embarrassement to America. I think all of congress needs Leadership 101 Training. For the time being , forget about your party lines and think about all the low and middle income hard working families and citizens that are working together in our communities to help each other. We understand the meaning of leadership and working together to achieve results for the betterment of our communities not "what can we get" or "they vs. us" mentality of our political representatives. Stop the embarrassing "arguing", whining, and power struggles and get to work and reach out to the President who is demonstrating great leadership skills!

Yes, I heard the interview with Chris Kausner. It's the thing from last night's coverage that's stayed in my head more than anything else.

Have these two plane crashes, or this economic crisis, or this historic election helped us to begin to pull together?

Though I don't want to, I find myself leaning towards no. In regards to the plane crashes, I think they're just one really cool and one really horrific story that will fade from our consciousness once the next big thing happens–sort of like a larger scale version of how we've begun to forget about Joe the Plumber, but can't stop talking about Octomom.

The election and inauguration really did seem to pull us together for a while there, but now they're over. Time for reality and reality is that the Republicans want nothing to do with Obama's outreaches. And the new administration has just begun–they have four years and will no doubt exhibit cynical partisanship themselves at some point.

And if not, is there anything short of an even bigger disaster that could?

I'm not sure I even want to think about that. After the togetherness we experienced after 9-11 was squandered so badly, I'm not sure any situation could bring us to that place again.

Thought provoking post.

You'd think at some point we'd realize we're all human, all in this together, and that would be enough. Titles, political ideologies, and all the other bull that we think make us smarter or better in reality don't. The bottom line is this. We are all human. We all face our deaths at some point. We had better do what is best to help each and every one of us while we can. I personally think we have to answer for what we do and don't do for each other. This tragedy last night just threw it all in our face once again how fragile this time we have really is, how precious it is, and how we need to make each moment count no matter what. I hope somehow in the middle of this really sad catastrophic loss of life last night we remember that. Unfortunately, I am thinking most will say "it can't happen to me", go about their happy way, and totally lose the point here that life isn't something we can ever, ever take for granted.

I just heard that the stimulus bill will be providing jobs by building roads, bridges, etc. That's might solve the problem for alot of the male population that is unemployed right now, but what about us single mom's? How is this bill suppose to help us pay our rent and put food on the table? I thought it was suppose to help ALL americans and not just a discriminate sector.
I would have funded the social security administration and lower the retirement age, which would let a lot of us baby boomers out of the job market or off unemployment as will as open up alot of jobs for all. I personally have been working since I was age 13 and would be welcome to give my job up for retirement.

I just heard that the stimulus bill will be providing jobs by building roads, bridges, etc. That's might solve the problem for alot of the male population that is unemployed right now, but what about us single mom's? How is this bill suppose to help us pay our rent and put food on the table? I thought it was suppose to help ALL americans and not just a discriminate sector.
I would have funded the social security administration and lower the retirement age, which would let a lot of us baby boomers out of the job market or off unemployment as well as open up alot of jobs for all. I personally have been working since I was age 13 and would be welcome to give my job up for retirement.

It's unbelievable to me that the republicans are so out of touch that they believe what is wanted and needed is adherence to their failed ideology regardless of what it does to the people of this country, and most of the world, for that matter. So they sink the ship of state and then refuse to pick up a bucket and help bail? Pluh....eeez.

Dear Anderson,
Please continue reporting about Fairness Doctrine or Act from CaffertyFile as it is not just about fairness of the speaker but fairness towards the listener/viewer.. It was bad enough to listen to the fearful, vociferous style of Limbaugh and others when Reps were in charge of congress, it was insulting then and is even more so now. I find them offensive and lacking in civil decorum while thirsting for information rather than raw, noise of their droning voices. Younger generations may not realize and will be indoctrinated towards their slanted views, which are uncivil and abusive towards the general public trying to hear news and views. For the viewer, such is distracting rather than fair reporting without entertainment. I encourage congress to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, otherwise those of us who listen are not treated fairly. Thank you, I love your show. Amy

If this article were coming out of a box of cereal I would say that it’s 10% absurd, 27% free on Logic or any sense whatsoever, and did I say absurd already?! Well.. Need I continue? I think you got the point.. People died for freedom of speech.. Freedom of press.. Let’s get some news here.. and some quick pink slip out to those that are goofing off and undeserving.. Thank you

What we need in Congress is a bunch of Sully's what weve got is a financial crash like last nights plane. the poor are the casualties.

Has that happened in this country today?

No – people always go back to being cruel to each other.

It would be nice if the crashes would pull us together as a country but I doubt that they will. We will talk about how horrible it is for a few days and follow the investigation into why it happened, but the economy will stay the main story with the Obama administration not far behind as both of these affect us all and the plane crashes were more localized. The crash reminds me how quickly life can be extinguished and how randomly.

The citizens of the good ole USA need to all get behind President Obama and quit saying his adminstration is for just spening money!
Have people forgotten the bilions of dollars that President Bush spent on the Irag War? A useless war in the first place.
Congress needs to step up to the plate, especially the Republicans and get this wonderful country back on track, no matter what. President Obama is one of the best leaders this country has ever had, not to mention his brilliance, and the big heart he has for all of the citizens of the US. Come on people!

Can you ask someone why flight 3407 was not de-iced before take off and whose decsion is it if it needs to be done or not.

I am very sorry for the families. I would like for congress and the house to work a month with out pay. Just like the poor people has to take unpaid days or loose there jobs

Oh No ! Do we need to financially support in this economic crisis our airlines to ensure safety on planes ? Last month a plane lands in the water and now we have a crash with lives lost . Do we have economic cut backs with our airlines? Can this be a determined factor of circumstance in these times of economic crisis ? Do our airlines have the support they need for safety ? God bless the families and their loved ones. Are we cutting corners due to economics that compromise safety ? Do our American Airlines need a bailout package to make sure they're okay ?

If ever there was a time to be the change we wish to see, it's now.

Can we the American People, please have the MEN and WOMEN we voted for, in" OUR GOVERNMENT ",show up to work and leave the child-like egos with the sitter. Our country is going down hill fast, and we need those elected officials, who claim to want what's best for the American People,to show up for work and come together like adults and come up with a package that is benefitial for this country to regain and maintaining a productive and competitive economy. Every strong nation knows the importance of a quality education. How can you expect to remain a competitive country if we are not investing in the best education for our children? Our children deserve the best opportunity to make a positive impact in our country and our world. Every strong nation knows the importance of jobs.How can we stay strong if we don't invest in good paying jobs for our workforce. When employment is high there is less need for government intervention. How many times must we fail, before we decide to work together for the common good. We've had enough of the childish, greedy, selfish politics as usual attitudes of our elected officials. It's so easy to say no to funding for better education, or new jobs for others, when you already have your degree and can afford to send your children to the school of your choice and when you have a career, that pays very well I might add.(Thanks to the American People,who pay your salary.) The very same people who you will have voted against, if you vote no. That would also be a tragedy. One that doesn't have to happen.

Can we the American People, please have the MEN and WOMEN we voted for, in" OUR GOVERNMENT ",show up to work and leave the child-like egos with the sitter. Our country is going down hill fast, and we need those elected officials, who claim to want what's best for the American People,to show up for work and come together like adults and come up with a package that is benefitial for this country to regain and maintaining a productive and competitive economy. Every strong nation knows the importance of a quality education. How can you expect to remain a competitive country if we are not investing in the best education for our children? Our children deserve the best opportunity to make a positive impact in our country and our world. Every strong nation knows the importance of jobs.How can we stay strong if we don't invest in good paying jobs for our workforce. When employment is high there is less need for government intervention. How many times must we fail, before we decide to work together for the common good. We've had enough of the childish, greedy, selfish politics as usual attitudes of our elected officials. It's so easy to say no to funding for better education, or new jobs for others, when you already have your degree and can afford to send your children to the school of your choice and when you have a career, that pays very well I might add.(Thanks to the American People,who pay your salary.) The very same people who you will have voted against, if you vote no. That would also be a tragedy. One that doesn't have to happen. We can and we will succeed, if we work together for the common good.

What we need is to establish free-thinking. Again, the Republicans in Congress are flexing the muscle of discontent, betting that they will rise again if Obama fails. Message to Republicans elected to Congress, "Work together" for the good of the people and not the last ditch effort to establish future "I told you so" tactics so easily exercised in error in the past."

God help us, why didn't anyone read the bill? 40 million for an endangered rat and nothing for schools? Devasting!

I have a step-daughter that reads 7 to 8 books a day. I use to work at Foreign Affairs in Canada and took a speed reading course. I was told that Ministers and Presidents read fast so stop telling people that President Obama did not read the Stimulus Economic Bill.

I woke up this morning and heard this story on the morning news. As I listened, the cause of the crash had not and has not been determined. The report said that the plane had gone in at a fairly steep angle. As I listened the thought occurred to me that this sounded like a terrorist event, especially considering the names of some of the passengers.
What amazed me, was that if this would have happened three months ago, the possiblility of terrorism would have been one of the first comments. Why did this not come up in this incident? The magic boxes ahd not been found, and there was no apparent reason for the crash.

I believe that the Republicans want the President to fail. How can they take anything away from education. My daughter and her husband are both teachers in Louisiana and have been told they are going to receive a $300 per month pay cut each and so will the other teachers. I am ashamed of the requblicans in the state of Louisiana and that includes the Gov. that wants to be President.

TThe reason for the rush is not the urgency to accomplish something, but to hide everything. If people found out what was in this huge stack of papers, they would scream out against it.
David Gergen said it was better to do something that to let a fire burn. But it is better to pour water on the fire than gasoline.
I also do not believe Gergen when he says 60% support this plan.

When the real estate guy say just sign the contract, dont worry about reading it, just sign it.
Well this is the kind of thinking that got us into this mess, and the same guys are selling the same dark thinking.
Get ready this is just the start..

Friday, February the 13th in the Midwest proved to be up to par.....crashed plane in Buffalo....crashed bill in Washington....crashed plane in London......at least it is still cold in February.

sorry for my english

The US has been depending on foreign capital since 1945. When George Bush cam in to power, the money strem declined. and the US currency lost in value. The US always was depending on foreign investments. Since 10 Years no one from Europe was very kean to invest in the US. The US do live from foreign investments, why not sell Green Cards for a Million and let One Million of these people in. It will bring 1 Trillion Dollars from a few immigrants. Good one ?

We're tired of the Republican Senators whining about the number of pages in the stimulus plan! Do you recall No Child Left Behind and the Patriot Act? They were enormous in size! Nobody complained about too many pages then, in fact, we hardly heard about those pieces of legislation at all before they were passed! We need to do something about the economy now. Do they need someone to read it to them?

Atlanta talk-radio host, Clark Howard finally pointed out a problem that I've been dealing with for years. Banks are continuing to distroy the economy with the latest tactics, rocketing interest rates! As a small business owner, I shovel out about $2,400 per month to credit card debt, with $2000 going directly toward interest payments alone.

How can a "stimulous plan" be effective if American consumers are expected to pay 25-34% APR interest on existing debt. As more Americans are losing their jobs, banks are getting bailed out, while continuing to financially cripple stuggling Americans. Two thumbs up for Clark Howard. Those who have the power to make a difference (those involved in media) should try to make a real difference. What's in your wallet?

Mr. Palmer, I couldn't agree more! Please read Susan's comment posted on the 13th. She hit the nail right on the head! Nice job Susan! The people in the congress and senate have no sense of respondsilbility! Sometimes I think there not Americans! Leadership?,it's not in there vocabulary. We have a serious attitude problem in this country, and if we don't fix this the long and winding road will end. Thanks for reading, Art

I was interested to see that the Co-pilot was a 24 year old young lady. I pray for her family and friends to have comfort. I do, however, have issue with the FAA not following the hiring practices more closely of these Regional Carriers. Quite frankly, as much experience as US Airways 1549 had, I fear that this crew had that little of experience. As a former airline Pilot myself, it really scares me to see First Officers being hired with less than 600 hours of total flight time of which most was flown in 172's in sunny Florida or Arizona. It puts a lot of stress on the Captains to have to watch every move of these inexperienced pilots flying very sophisticated aircraft. In aviation, especially in hazardous weather, their is NO substitute for experience.

I find it extremely curious that all the Republicans who voted for the TARP are now voting against the stimulus bill. Seems they are only interested in helping the fat cats who got us into this mess. If "socialism" (as some have charged Obama) is taking from the rich and giving to the poor, what is it called when you take from the poor and give to the rich? Republican!

Maybe it won't all work, maybe there is some pork in it, maybe some states and cities will use the money unwisely. But isn't it better than the way its been done in the past? We're all watching now...Reps vow to watch every penny. Too bad they are born-again conservatives, since they didn't seem to care about how the first TARP payments were spent.

The answer to having bipartisanship is simple :

Have a bill that helps the citizens of our country.

Republicans will vote for it—-

Is there any chance that CNN will actually return to the reporting of any news stories other than those that refer to Barack Obama? It almost seems as if he is the first democratically elected official in the USA.
Is there a contest on to see who can say his name the most times; if there is Wolf Blitzer is far ahead of the pack.
We have heard nothing but your election for the past two years. Give it a break. Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Senator Barack Obama. President elect Barack Obama. President Barack Obama. Barack.Barack. Barack.Obama. Obama. Obama.
Please advise us as to when he intends to start his first war or invade his first country that is not acting in accordance with the wishes of the USA.

President Bush vetoed nothing in his first four years and I believe only 12 in his 8 yrs and none of them were spending bills. This is precisely why our country is so heavily in debt.

President Obama has promised change, but is now going to sign into law one of the biggest pork laden bills in our country's history. A bill that was passed into law by people that didn't even read it.

No one in the media has mentioned why President Obama needs one massive inflated bill to get it done. Why couldn't the bill be split into two with one for tax cuts and one for expenditures? The reason is clear. With a big bill and a very short time to review it, you can hide things in the bill that are not stimulus. Tag the word "crisis" on it and you can sign it into to law quickly and apologize later.

Obama is not providing the change I believe it.

So you think this is Bushs' fault...Read this....think again !!!

A New York Times article published September 11, 2003 described an emerging crisis with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and partisan resistance to proposed enhanced oversight of these two entities:

"The Bush administration today recommended.......a new agency would be created within the Treasury Department to assume supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.......which together have issued more than $1.5 trillion in outstanding debt......."

"These two entities - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - are not facing any kind of financial crisis,' said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. 'The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing."

So you "SEE",this really is the Democrats fault !!!Bush tried to stop the housing collaps,which would have saved the banks,which would have stopped wall street from crashing,which means your 401K would still be worth something,and you wouldn't be layed off,and we wouldn't need this spending bill,etc.You want to thank your man,Barney Frank ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee.

Both plane crashes feel kind of prophetic to me. The first buoyed us with hope and promise for the new administration. The second, how the divisiveness, bitterness and partisanship is going to divide the country even further, heralding our eventual crash.

I'm so discouraged by the behavior of the conservatives. They seem deeply committed to ensuring the failure of our nascent administration. Rush Limbaugh publicly stated that he hoped Pres. Obama would fail and his cronies are seeing that mandate through.

I believe whole heartedly in the First Amendment, but dude, that's really harsh.

Media where is the 100-Trillion dollars that was spent from the Bush administration? Where is the 100 Trillion dollars that was spent from the Bush administration? Where is the 100 trillion dollars that was spent from the Bush administration? Media do your job and find out where that accountability went before you worry about this new administation. Lou Dobbs ,Dana Bash-do your jobs and find out where it went. Pork theirs not a name for that kind of spending. More was spent -also that not it. There more money that need to be found. Thats outrarageous !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need real honest news. Some people thats out of work can take your jobs your not being honest. CNN thats bankrupt you should have been all over it. I saw this amount on a reliable news station -keeping them honest.

Talk radio should be regulated. Talk radio, I thought, is supposed to be a tool to serve the good of this nation. Talk radio hosts could create shows to find solutions to economic problems. For example, let us take the closed RV plants in Elkhart. Perhaps a show of talk radio could be to ask the public for creative ways to reopen those RV plants of Elkhart. The more creative answers may develop others giving more creative answers. The following is an example of a show with some ideas to reopen those RV plants.
Baby boomers are aging. Many live in rural parts of this country. The following could be an idea to convert the old RV plants could be retooled to build mobile health screening vehicles.
These new vehicles could be equipped with wireless Internet access PC so a doctor may consult with patients from a remote location. Other health equipment may include blood pressure machines and diabetes monitors. These new health-screening vehicles could cover the rural parts of this great nation where many aging baby boomers live.
Another idea for a new use of the RV would be to organize mobile farmers markets. A band of RVs could be used to stock and sell healthy foods at rural parts of this country. Everything from vegetables to other healthy foods could be sold from these newly equipped RVs.
Are there other creative ideas for new uses of these RV vehicles in order to reopen the RV plants in places like Elkhart? The media, like talk radio, could ask the public for other ideas to retool the RV plants. Talk radio should be used to better our nation and should not be used to simply bash the other party! Simply bashing the other party does nothing to reopen those RV plants in Elkhart. Congress should debate the best use of talk radio.

So you think this is Bushs’ fault…Read this….think again !!!

A New York Times article published September 11, 2003 described an emerging crisis with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and partisan resistance to proposed enhanced oversight of these two entities:

“The Bush administration today recommended…….a new agency would be created within the Treasury Department to assume supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac…….which together have issued more than $1.5 trillion in outstanding debt…….”

“These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis,’ said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ‘The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”

So you “SEE”,this really is the Democrats fault !!!Bush tried to stop the housing collaps,which would have saved the banks,which would have stopped wall street from crashing,which means your 401K would still be worth something,and you wouldn’t be layed off,and we wouldn’t need this spending bill,etc.You want to thank your man,Barney Frank ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee.

There is much talk about the fact that nobody reads the entire 1,200 page stimulus bill. Who actually types it up?

Robert Fitzgerald
Scottsdale, AZ

With the soon to be signed Economic Stimulous Package about to take effect I want to congatulate th ePreisedent AND the American People for beginning the process of saving our Nation.
Just think, the first steps are already being taken less than a month into office. Our foreign policy is being overhauled as I write this response and the first steps toward making America great again are about to be signed into law with the Passage of the Economic Stimulous package.

After your day off Mr. President I would like to see action begun on the next steps.

#1 A national commitment to the concept of Made in the U.S.A. I can’t think of anything more Patriotic than this. Enough of the empty Red Neck Country and Western Crap Kicking myopic and in many respects just plain STUPID lyrics and meaningless flag waving while simultainiously outsourcing American Infrastructure and jobs to the COMMUNIST Chinese and the SOCIALIST Indians. Let’s begin the process of re-establishing our industrial manfucaturing Infrastructure.

#2 Time to play HARDBALL with the COMMUNIST Chinese and SOCIALIST Indians diplomatically. We have been playing the begger way too long with astronomical trade imbalances and encouraging and/or looking the other way with regard to these nations Slave Labor policies and their lack of concern for protecting the environment of our Planet. Both of these nations are far from Democratic by the way. Calling India the world’s ‘largest Democracy’ is a bit of a stretch, with their SOCIALIST 5 and 10 years Central Government Planning Programs and their rampant internal human rights abuses and racist pogromsagaint ‘the lower classes’. COMMUNIST China is even worse and is OPENLY committed to the destruction of the United States and our way of life and their Government has CLEARLY and OPENLY said so on many many occassions.

We Americans have a lot to look forward to. We now at the very least have a President who is articulate and intelligent and can THINK and SPEAK in complete coherant sentences. this is a far cry from the last abysmal eight years.

Congress got on all the auto industy top ceo's for needing money and flying to Wahington to ask for it when their business's were in a money tight. I would think the U.S. is in the same shape what did it cost the taxpayer to fly President Oboma to Chicago just to dine out at his favorite resturant. I don't guess he's heard there's a money crisis in our country.

From the way the media and republicans talk one would think that John McCain won the election and that President Obama is doomed to failure. I am a moderate registered Democrat. who believes that this is a rich country and the people need to pay more and the government pay less, for services we receive and that we can help those with real needs.

That being said I think it is sad that at a time when we are in a very bad way, all we hear is why the new legislation will not wok, rather than what we need to do to help make it work.

I have not heard any of the media or Republicans suggest that those with wealth should pay more for Medicare. Nor have I heard the Media putting anything but a negative spin on it.

We are all to blame for what has happened and quite frankly, as an example, I do not know many persons who had the opportunity to have a personal chauffer for free who would report it on their tax return. Likewise if the failure to pay taxes household help was a crime, than 1/2, or more of Americans would be in jail.

Greed is not owned exclusively by those in power-they just have more opportunity.

Mr. Cooper,
How many times did you say that the Republicans have started a war against Mr. Obama! Can you say that you've read the stimulas bill?
Sounds like Mr.. Obama has a war started against the Republicans!
Will journalists ever go back to reporting the facts instead of their opinions. I feel like I live in North Korea, where the public is fed propaganda, the election of Mr. Obama was just that.

I listend to Senator McCain on the stimulus packet. He made a comment that giving tax payers rebate money to stimulate the economy has never worked, he ran his political campaign on the idea that giving tax payers this rebate money was a sure way to pump money immediately back into the economy and stimulate spending. His recent comments are a flip flop from the way he campaigned. In addition, he did not say that the president is doing a "bad job" but he did complain that it was not a bi-partisian bill. I think if the president went to capital hill, something that has not happened in a long time, to gain support from the republicians and they failed to give that support the onus is on the republicians. Finally, something needs to happen to the economny before summer, did we really have time to debate and redraw, the debate and redraw a bill to perfection. If you are out of a job, you can starve well before summer.

on the new bill president is to sign? says married couples 800.00? now will we get a check? as we have all ready filed our taxes id like to know? hope some one can tell me how it is to be doen for some one who has all rady filled taxes? thanks Lois

I cannot believe the Republicans! Now that they are a minority, they want bipartisan approval for all the bills that get passed. When they ruled, they did not seem to have the same concern. There were three Republican congresspeople trying very hard to get a deal in the stimulus package. What did they get? Threats from the right o retaliation if they supported the package. Is that democracy? Just a bunch of spoil children that are mad if they don't get it their way. What are the great suggestions that they had to contribute to the package? Only criticism but no one single proposal that had any substance. Their whole approach is only to demand lower taxes. Well, we had those with Bush and what did it get us? This is not the time for lower taxes. It is not the time to be helping their CEO buddies. It will be a great thing to replace them in two years.

I resent seeing John McCain and other GOP reps on TV- hearing Mc Cain saying Obama broke his promise to the American people to be bipartisan.
It seems clear they are using all of Obama's outreach against him. McCain and the GOP are insisting on parts of their failed economic platform. We, the people did not vote for this. When McCain is televised saying these things I believe the media should point out that Obama can only do so much. If he submits to the policies he campaigned against, he would be disappointing the American even more. McCain needs to stop campaigning. I believe the GOP is going to continue to promote this idea that Obama is letting us down unless the media continually points out that he is in, fact, promoting his agenda to the best of his ability.

A lot has transpired since President Obama's victory – ours.
I believe that the President may not have achieved his alleged goal of bi-partisanship; however, it will be naive to think that he did not expect a forceful opposition from the GOP. This Stimulus bill seems to be clearly an opportunity to root out some bad influences in the GOP. With the President's time constraint, even the GOP can understand that there is work to do, but not on their schedule.
I support the President's vision, but most importantly that the dream is best achieved with teamwork. The GOP – 8 yrs belated, did their part for the team (hold back) and the rest won the bill for us all.
God bless America.

Ivo
Birmingham, AL

The GOP looks just plain FOOLISH whining and claiming that our President is off to a bad start. They're all going to whine themselves right ouf of office. The sooner the better!

Having followed the current coverage surrounding the Stimulus Package and the growing proliferation of the unemployed, one area that has remained unchanged and will significantly impact the ability to reach those in need; red tape.
For decades the "system" (unemployment, assistance, welfare, etc..) has evolved into a monolithic mess that attempts to impose limits and make it difficult to those who would abuse the system. This though, severely hampers the ability of those to use the system that should be for them. Try filing for unemployment or assistance and see how difficult it is to really get help.
We need to revisit what a person has to do versus what they should be required to do get help in a time of need.

In case the Republicans didn't know...the country is in a crisis!
Old things have passed away and all things are become new!
You had eight years to come up with good ideals and prevent the country from going into an economic tailspin. So now you want us to believe that you have all the answers. Get Real! The reason why so many people voted For President Obama is because we need a change; not the same old, ideological, divisive tones that stagnated progress in the past administration. Unless you make real changes and stop insulting the intelligence of the american people you will loose again in 2012. Here's an ideal "Get on Board and let's get our country moving. My prayers are for the success of the new President and administration.

It is no wonder our great nation is in such dire straights. How can we begin to fix our challenges when our politicians act like spoiled rotten children! Please remember that our President has inherited the problems that we face from the previous administration . He is not the almighty nor can he fix the situation over night. But to fight him tooth and nail at a time when we need to be united is harmful to this country and our future generations. Grow up ladies and gentlemen and be part of the solution.

It sure looks like all we have been getting out of Obama ,so far, is rhetorical BS and symbolism. He must spend many thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to fly to Colorado to sign a "stimulation package" because it symbolically snubs Washington. Isn't that immature, expensive, and hypocritical behavior? Obama had been critical of the Auto Executives for the same type of behavior?

CNN....Have you sold out to FOX! I enjoyed watching you during the primaries, elections and inauguration activities. After the lights went out and the Presidency began you changed lanes on me. The fair reporting that I had become attracted to has gone away. President Obama has been in the Office less than 45 days and you have already called his Presidency. I am not alone in my perception that you are no longer a cut above the rest. Many people who are like me, who grew to appreciate your somewhat unbias reporting have noticed your change. Whatever the opposition is offering in objection to the Simulus Package becomes your news headlines. We as a nation are in the most crucial time of the century and yet instead of presenting the positive aspects of the stiumuls bill you rather embellish on what the opposition is stating is the negative aspects of the bill. Yes, you have different view points represented buy you always shape the story to reflect that you also are not in favor of the Stimulus Package. What your commentators say is pork may not be pork and what they say is wasteful spending may not be. We do not know and we will not know until after we try something for a relevent period of time before you will know. You allowed the opposition to run your program headlines. I have listened to your morning and afternoon reporters and as they report there is no balance. I am quite sure they could have looked at the package and found some positive points. I am not asking for you to tell me what would be nice to hear I am asking that you get some balance in your reporting. You have yet to report in as much detail how the stimulus package could help the economy and the people. The President already told us that it was not going to be easy to fix, it would cost, it would not be perfect, there may be mistakes, but we had to do something. While the opposition rather debate on how to put the fire out, the fire keeps burning. At least President Obama has the guts to pour water on the fire. It may smolder a bit, but eventually it will go out. Me and others are back to surfing the networks for quality unbias reporting.

Respectfully Submitted
Sharon Baker
Louisville, KY

I have heard all sides of this elections and it is a pitiful shame that there has been more press about the politics of it then remembering that we are all in the same country. John McCain needs to realize he lost. Give it up. Obama has tried to bring the republicans in but they refuse because they think it will make the democrats look bad, but what is is really doing to all the people I have talked to is making them realize that the republicans still have not figured out that the American voters already voted them OUT! The republicans are embarrassing themselves by having people act as if other people can not think for themselves. The whole notion that the Stimulus will provide more problems for our children is a JOKE. Don't that realize the the Problem is already a BEAR and President Obama is trying to fix the MESS they put us in. At this point, they played around with 2 billion or 20 billion trying to cut it out and reality is it does not really matter. We are in debt 11 trillion+ and now they are all of a sudden worried about one or two billion. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. To get out of this mess we should have spent 1 TRILLION and we should not have blinked an eye. Yes, I was republican, but they are trying to hard to get a democratic society to think the way they do. It is not going to happen know matter how loud they cry because now they are starting to look silly. Shame on them. Let focus on getting the country back on track and stop all this political NONSENSE. I am now a PROUD independent VOTER. Thank goodness I can think for myself and the news and public can't do it for me, nor would I allow that! Those who are playing the blame game is riduculas, because when the checks are paid out, I would almost bet you are not handing yours back for some Great American Cause.... Think about it. You benefit like everyone else so stop the nonsense!

I just can't understand how the Republicans STILL don't “get it”. The American public voted a majority of democrats into Congress so that we could get our elected president Obama's desired legislation PASSED. The Republicans complain that Obama isn't encouraging bipartisanship when he made a huge effort to bring them onboard. THEY are the ones who refused to work with the democrats to pass that legislation. Maybe the Stimulus package isn't perfect but the Republicans did not offer a better alternative. My message to all of them....get onboard for "real" change or you also will be voted out of office in the next election.
There is a MAJORITY Democratic house for a reason. Next election there will be a filibuster proof Senate as well.

I think we should build a natral gas pipelines, then we could swith are cars,homes,gas stations,over then put a 20 cent tax on gas that would encourage everyone to swith there personal cars over, and it would put millons back to work in all kinds of industry's we could then take 10 cents of tax put towards social securty and dont let those pollations get there hands on it. take the other 10 cents put towards the upkeep of our roads. that would be a better stimulas plan than we have now.

Anderson,

Maybe I missed your coverage, but I do not believe I have seen any coverage by CNN on the HVCC (Home Valuation Code of Conduct). Given the "mortgage meltdown" and the current state of the economy, it would seem like a topic that should have been followed and given national coverage for quite some time now. Have I missed CNN's coverage of this? Please feature it on CNN TV before it goes into effect. It is something the public should know about (from the perspective of all sides involved).

Thank you,

NB

I am furious that the "Home buyer tax credit the senate changed to include all home buyers got reverted back to "first time home buyers" only. My wife purchased her home before we got married 5 years ago—I have never purchased a home, my name isnt even included on the deed on this tiny house. We have been married for 2 years and I am disqualified because of that. We are just about to close on our new home, and we shall now be penalized for a silly and unfair technicality. We are not wealthy the home she purchase on her own is very inexpensive and small. We saved got approved when everyone else cant and now have to watch others get a hand out. Maybe I'm just upset (obviously) but this doesn't seem fair, or very American. Why cant it be a tax credit for all or no one, or at least pro-rated.

I felt so sad to hear, that the 9/11 widow, that was instrumental in getting the investigation, died