$825 Billion Stimulus Plan

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
Interesting to compare it to the Chinese stimulus plan. I want my, I want my MTV. With a, with a 13% government subsidy ...



Strong as an ox?

<A href="http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12987564&source=most_commented">http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12987564&source=most_commented</A>
 
[quote author="skek" date=1233366850]NewportTrojan, I'd be curious to know what business you are in, because I do a lot of work with U.S. companies either manufacturing in China or buying products and components manufactured in China and they are, without exception, worried about quality. One example is a natural herbal remedy distributor and they stopped buying their Chinese herbs from China because they couldn't guarantee that the herbs weren't laced with arsenic or lead or rat poison or whatever... (NOTE: said products were not actually contaminated with any of those things, just that the QA was non-existent in China). Doing business in China is not for the weak-of-heart.</blockquote>


I supply subcontractors with...wait for it...granite, marble, porcelain...etc tiles, slabs, finished vanities and counter tops. I have a pretty unique niche in that we are project oriented and generally on large scale, such as hotels and high rise buildings. I am part of the perigraniteel mafia. ;-)



There are no health risks involved with this material, so the quality I am concerned with is more along the line of craftsmanship. Besides Italian and some French suppliers, the Chinese put out a top notch product with minimal defects. The industry has matured over there over the last 10 years. Their learning curve for this type of work is very steep. They have imported some of the finest Italian machines to process the stone and produce tiles.



The factories I have visited do run the spectrum from dirt floors and dust particulate everywhere, to those that are swept regularly, hood systems to draw the dust out, water recycling to purify and reuse the water again in the cutting process and overall western working conditions. Some of them are ISO certified for QA and I find that working with them during the design stage helps cut down on defects. The suppliers we use know what the acceptable standard of deviation in quality of material we will accept and don't disappoint



I am a pretty observant shopper and anything that ends up in or absorbed into my body is generally only from sources I trust. Even when I go to my Grower's Direct, I will generally skip any produce from Mexico. Getting Salmonella is not worth the $.50 savings in my opinion. If the industry in the country doesn't give a damn about their reputation or will not significantly be hurt by an outbreak or bad PR, I won't buy.



My motto with anything "Caveat emptor!"



As far as the herbal supplements, I think that the industry really has to be careful because most of the time the effects are questionable at best even when the "formula" is correct. I would suggest looking for companies that have some QA accreditation, not that it is a fail safe, but it is a starting point. Do they not have ISO standards in this industry?
 
Can someone please tell me what the penalty is for refusing to pay Federal taxes?
 
[quote author="Oscar" date=1233463658]Can someone please tell me what the penalty is for refusing to pay Federal taxes?</blockquote>


I hope you are not planning on claiming that it is unconstitutional ... doesn't really work.
 
[quote author="Oscar" date=1233463658]Can someone please tell me what the penalty is for refusing to pay Federal taxes?</blockquote>


It all depends. The ultimate penalty is federal prison, but prison sentences are usually reserved for fraud cases. Most folks who refuse to pay end up paying, even if involuntarily through liens and sale of assets.

There are a few people who claim to have not paid taxes assessed by the IRS, but I doubt it.
 
[quote author="awgee" date=1233475511][quote author="Oscar" date=1233463658]Can someone please tell me what the penalty is for refusing to pay Federal taxes?</blockquote>


It all depends. The ultimate penalty is federal prison, but prison sentences are usually reserved for fraud cases. Most folks who refuse to pay end up paying, even if involuntarily through liens and sale of assets.

There are a few people who claim to have not paid taxes assessed by the IRS, but I doubt it.</blockquote>
So as we speak, the Senate, in concert with the House and the President, is considering a stimulus package that is to be financed with bonds that will be paid with tax dollars. The House Democrats have used their power as majority to prevent any amendment posed by the minority, the President declined to entertain the minority's amendments with a cavalier "I won", and each day a new detail is published that reveals this "stimulus" package does very little to stimulate more than existing government programs and payroll.



Using the economy and fear as cover, the Democratic Party has simply declared "Give me your money, or I'll put you, your children, and your grandchildren in jail."
 
Oscar



Whats the difference ? We blew a Trillion in Iraq. For What ?

Just that Embassy alone cost almost a Billion. And now we leave

and its all left behind. Forgot to mention 4000 Dead.



What should we do just cut the Shi! out of taxes and hope for the best ?

I think its a great idea to spend some money on Infrastructure.

But some of those Earmarks need to get clipped. And they will.



Oscar ? What did GW Bush do with money that helped create this huge deficit ?

Or does his spending not count ? Different team so now your not staying silent ?
 
[quote author="bltserv" date=1233624847]Oscar



Whats the difference ? We blew a Trillion in Iraq. For What ?

Just that Embassy alone cost almost a Billion. And now we leave

and its all left behind. Forgot to mention 4000 Dead.



What should we do just cut the Shi! out of taxes and hope for the best ?

I think its a great idea to spend some money on Infrastructure.

But some of those Earmarks need to get clipped. And they will.



Oscar ? What did GW Bush do with money that helped create this huge deficit ?

Or does his spending not count ? Different team so now your not staying silent ?</blockquote>


blt it is your opinion that Iraq was a wrong war. I don't think anyone will ever convince you otherwise. I do not agree with you on that point. I will say that I believe Bush made a huge mistake by cutting taxes. I think Bush should have raised taxes to offset the cost.



Bush's spending absolutely counts toward where we are today.



By the way the team is not much different now. The quarterback and the coach may have changed but we still have most of the same "team" in place.



This same team wants to keep spending money we don't have. Not only do they want to spend the money but they are wrapping this up in a "stimulus" bow and ribbon when that isn't what it really is.



So if Obama decides to start bombing France will your response be..... Well look what Bush did in Iraq.
 
[quote author="xsocal land merchant" date=1233481617]<blockquote>Can someone please tell me what the penalty is for refusing to pay Federal taxes?</blockquote>


These days it gets you an appointment to Obama's cabinet.



Enjoy!</blockquote>


This is Obama's way of increasing Tax revenues. Appoint everyone that has cheated on their taxes to the cabinet. Then they will have to pay their back taxes, minus interest and penaties of course.



Now if Obama were smart he would actually have an amnesty program for EVERY american that owes interest and penalties. If you come clean now we will set up a payment program for you minus interest and penalties.



Call it "Obama's Cabinet Tax Amnesty program".
 
[quote author="bltserv" date=1233624847]Oscar



Whats the difference ? We blew a Trillion in Iraq. For What ?

Just that Embassy alone cost almost a Billion. And now we leave

and its all left behind. Forgot to mention 4000 Dead.



What should we do just cut the Shi! out of taxes and hope for the best ?

I think its a great idea to spend some money on Infrastructure.

But some of those Earmarks need to get clipped. And they will.



Oscar ? What did GW Bush do with money that helped create this huge deficit ?

Or does his spending not count ? Different team so now your not staying silent ?</blockquote>
The difference? The budget process. In every year of George Bush's Presidency, each and every bit of spending was open to debate and amendment, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, before it was approved by the President. As of this new Congress, the Democrats have cut off that kind of debate and amendment (in order to get things done, they claim) on ANY bill, which means that the members can do little but vote aye or nay.



The actual cost of the war is far shy of a trillion dollars, no matter what the NY Times says; the numbers are public record.



As for your attempt to label me a hypocrite, kindly GFY: I was railing against Bush's "compassionate conservatism" long before he submitted his first budget request to Congress. You consistently try to justify anything Obama wants to do by pointing and Bush and saying "But, look what he did". Is it possible for you to be just as critical of the action, regardless of party, or are you just a one-trick pony? I ask because if all you have to add is "So? Bush did this, that, and the other thing" as a defense, I'll put you on ignore and save us both the time of bothering to reply to each other.



My point is that the bill passed by the House was sold as something it's clearly not, the Senate is attempting to do the same thing, and the President has been out in front cheerleading the attempt for months. As a tax payer, I'm pissed. As an Obama voter, I'm furious. And as an American, I am completely disillusioned with our country.
 
[quote author="Oscar" date=1233631772] As a tax payer, I'm pissed. As an Obama voter, I'm furious. And as an American, I am completely disillusioned with our country.</blockquote>


I am neither pissed, furious, or disillusioned. I expected this and more.

Next time vote out all incumbents and vote for the Libertarian candidate.
 
awgee



You are my hero.



Lets start a movement called<strong> VETO for Vote Encumbents Totally Out</strong>. I know I took a little liberty with the spelling of "incumbents" but it sounds as good as TARP which politicians use to cover their a$$ with.



enjoy!
 
CNBC published the following list of some of the measures in the stimulus. It was supplied to the Citizens Against Government Waste by Sen. Tom Coburn (R.-Okla.).



$2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Dept. of Energy defunded last year because the project was inefficient

$246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film

$650 million for the digital television (DTV) converter box coupon program

$88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship)

$448 million for constructing the Dept. of Homeland Security headquarters

$248 million for furniture at the new Dept. of Homeland Security headquarters

$600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees

$400 million for the CDC to screen and prevent STD's

$1.4 billion for a rural waste disposal programs

$125 million for the Washington, D.C. sewer system

$150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities

$1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion

$75 million for "smoking cessation activities"

$200 million for public computer centers at community colleges

$75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI

$25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction

$500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River

$10 million to inspect canals in urban areas

$6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings

$500 million for state and local fire stations

$650 million for wildland fire management on Forest Service lands

$150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities

$1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs

$88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service

$412 million for CDC buildings and property

$500 million for building and repairing NIH facilities in Bethesda, MD

$160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service

$5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the VA "National Cemetery Administration"

$850 million for Amtrak

$100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint

$75M to construct a new "security training" facility for State Dept Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.

$110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems

$200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
 
Are the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_go_co/congress_stimulus">Republicans in Congress coming to the rescue?</a>



<img src="http://ac4.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/614172ca8c0336f6" alt="" />



I think everyone here knows <em>my</em> opinion on this matter.
 
[quote author="profette" date=1233652754]Are the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_go_co/congress_stimulus">Republicans in Congress coming to the rescue?</a></blockquote>


The Republicans are playing games, too. That being said, they don't have the numbers to stop this from passing unless they are prepared to filibuster until 2011, when the new Congress is sworn in. I think it's cute that much hoopla is being made about axing the utterly stupid suggestions of reseeding the National Mall lawn and funding contraception programs, as if these are huge concessions to get an otherwise sound bill passed.



Let me be clear: I have no issue with programs extending unemployment insurance, or funding fire and police departments, or keeping the k-12 educational system running. My problems lie with politically motivated payback items like subsidizing movie producers with tax breaks, or new icebreakers for the Coast Guard, or furnishing the offices of Homeland Security (C'mon guys, you don't need to send the black helicopters to my house just because I wrote that, right? Right?) or keeping the Native Americans sober, or keeping Amtrack supplied with new seat cushions.





<blockquote>I think everyone here knows <em>my</em> opinion on this matter.</blockquote>
No, actually, I don't have a clue. Care to grace us with the benefit of your insight and wisdom?
 
[quote author="Oscar" date=1233656666][quote author="profette" date=1233652754]Are the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_go_co/congress_stimulus">Republicans in Congress coming to the rescue?</a></blockquote>


The Republicans are playing games, too. That being said, they don't have the numbers to stop this from passing unless they are prepared to filibuster until 2011, when the new Congress is sworn in. I think it's cute that much hoopla is being made about axing the utterly stupid suggestions of reseeding the National Mall lawn and funding contraception programs, as if these are huge concessions to get an otherwise sound bill passed.



Let me be clear: I have no issue with programs extending unemployment insurance, or funding fire and police departments, or keeping the k-12 educational system running. My problems lie with politically motivated payback items like subsidizing movie producers with tax breaks, or new icebreakers for the Coast Guard, or furnishing the offices of Homeland Security (C'mon guys, you don't need to send the black helicopters to my house just because I wrote that, right? Right?) or keeping the Native Americans sober, or keeping Amtrack supplied with new seat cushions.





<blockquote>I think everyone here knows <em>my</em> opinion on this matter.</blockquote>
No, actually, I don't have a clue. Care to grace us with the benefit of your insight and wisdom?</blockquote>


All the wisdom you need is <a href="http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/blog/comments/4.5-mortgage-interest-rates">here.</a>
 
I haven't had the time to read the whole thread, so I apologize if this is a repetitive question. What about the Republican proposal to provide 4% mortgages to new and existing homeowners? I guess it could be a good idea except for a few things. The language that is always used in regards to banks, "we'll <strong>encourage</strong> them to do this" always makes me laugh. The Republicans somehow think this could be the panacea to falling home values and I'm not sure that I see it. How many existing homeowners are going to qualify for this 4% loan? The only ones that would qualify wouldn't be the ones who need it. I'd take it though, but I don't think it's going to help anyone who is underwater. I suppose part of the logic is good because it could help people buy homes and qualify for more. What part of the stimulus package would we need to give up to get this? Does anyone else think it's a good idea or another hair-brained scheme to stop the inevitable continuing fall in prices?
 
[quote author="irvine123" date=1233638689]CNBC published the following list of some of the measures in the stimulus. It was supplied to the Citizens Against Government Waste by Sen. Tom Coburn (R.-Okla.).



$2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Dept. of Energy defunded last year because the project was inefficient

$246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film

$650 million for the digital television (DTV) converter box coupon program

$88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship)

$448 million for constructing the Dept. of Homeland Security headquarters

$248 million for furniture at the new Dept. of Homeland Security headquarters

$600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees

$400 million for the CDC to screen and prevent STD's

$1.4 billion for a rural waste disposal programs

$125 million for the Washington, D.C. sewer system

$150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities

$1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion

$75 million for "smoking cessation activities"

$200 million for public computer centers at community colleges

$75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI

$25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction

$500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River

$10 million to inspect canals in urban areas

$6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings

$500 million for state and local fire stations

$650 million for wildland fire management on Forest Service lands

$150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities

$1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs

$88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service

$412 million for CDC buildings and property

$500 million for building and repairing NIH facilities in Bethesda, MD

$160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service

$5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the VA "National Cemetery Administration"

$850 million for Amtrak

$100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint

$75M to construct a new "security training" facility for State Dept Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.

$110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems

$200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.</blockquote>


Let's say all these items are cut. Wouldn't the package still be around $800bn or so? There are no big ticket items on this list. If they *really* object, they should start looking at items that actually make a big dent in the numbers.
 
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