President Barack Obama spent some two hours yesterday meeting with Congressional Republicans about their concerns over his proposed $825 billion economic stimulus bill that is scheduled for a vote by the House this afternoon. By most accounts, Obama wasn't able to win over many Republican converts, who continue to express concerns over whether or not the bill’s hefty spending measures will effectively help pull the country out of recession. Among those expressing concerns was Congressman Charles Boustany, who released this statement following yesterday’s meeting with the President:
“Madam Speaker, both sides agree that our national economy is in trouble as thousands of Americans are without work. And, I thank the President for meeting with both parties in the House to develop real solutions to the problems we face.
In 2005, my home state of Louisiana faced a different but no less dire situation. That year, hurricanes Rita and Katrina devastated the Louisiana coastline. During the recovery effort, we learned many things about what government can and cannot do effectively.
The GO Zone tax credits enabled businesses across the Gulf to rebuild, expand and create good-paying, long-lasting jobs. As a result, thousands of Louisiana families found the security they desperately needed following those two storms.
A government spending solution was attempted as well. However, three years later, much of that money is still tied up by government bureaucrats. Had people in Louisiana waited, they would still be wondering where most of that money was sitting.
The moral of the story is two-fold. First, there are many different solutions to a problem, and the economic crisis we face certainly proves this. But second, and most importantly, we must look for solutions which produce results.
We need to spur job creation to get Americans working again. The best way to achieve that job creation is by reducing taxes on small businesses, entrepreneurs and companies who can put people to work now.
I look forward to working with the Administration to accomplish our mutual goal. Together we can create the jobs Americans need and make our nation competitive again. This is not the bill to accomplish these goals though. There is another way, and I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider what worked and what didn’t work in Louisiana.”
... written by Arturo Plutonium , January 28, 2009 - 06:49 pm
Good! I'm a registered Independent. It has nothing to do with with party lines. It has to do with responsible spending. The "stimulus" bill provides $4.19 billion for "neighborhood stabilization activities."
That money was previously limited to state and local governments. Now the bill provides part of it to be available to non-profit entities. That means groups like ACORN would be eligible for a portion of the funds.
That has nothing to do with working-class or small businesses.
Once again, the opposite of progress is congress.
Guess their new cost of living wages is blinding them to what they should be focused on.
Boustany opposing economic stimulus written by turner pj , January 28, 2009 - 07:07 pm
Good work Mr. Boustany. Wish you represented me. Unfortunately, I'm represented by Mr Melancon who states he is going to vote for the package, even though he has misgivings, because 'doing nothing is not an option'. Guess it's too much to ask for Melancon to actually work, debate, and come up with something that really stimulates the economy. Same old political manuvering, throw money at the problem. Even if it doesn't work, I can tell my stupid constituents that I did it in their best interest. They'll re-elect me. And I stay in the good graces of my LEADERS - Pelosi and Obama.....
... written by Arturo Plutonium , January 30, 2009 - 01:50 pm
There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.
Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.
This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
That money was previously limited to state and local governments. Now the bill provides part of it to be available to non-profit entities. That means groups like ACORN would be eligible for a portion of the funds.
That has nothing to do with working-class or small businesses.
Once again, the opposite of progress is congress.
Guess their new cost of living wages is blinding them to what they should be focused on.