More spending?

[Brosia]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090224/.../spending_bill

excerpt:
WASHINGTON – House Democrats unveiled a $410 billion spending bill on Monday to keep the government running through the end of the fiscal year, setting up the second political struggle over federal funds in less than a month with Republicans.

The measure includes thousands of earmarks, the pet projects favored by lawmakers but often criticized by the public in opinion polls. There was no official total of the bill's earmarks, which accounted for at least $3.8 billion....

[Lostinoz]

Obama Warns of More Sacrifices To Come

Yep Brosia, more spending is exactly what "they" have in mind. I wonder what sacrifices are next? I know the economic woes have not touched EVERYONE personally, so I guess "they" want it to be an equal opportunity sacrifice and affect us ALL.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-02-24-obama-speech_N.htm

Obama warns of more sacrifices to come

By Mimi Hall and David Jackson, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Tuesday night will emphasize the need for his mammoth economic recovery plan and call on Americans to withstand further sacrifices to heal the nation's battered economy."

The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation," Obama said in an excerpt released by the White House on Tuesday. "The answers to our problems don't lie beyond our reach. … What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face and take responsibility for our future once more."

In his first prime-time address to a joint session of Congress, Obama will argue that the government must take unprecedented steps to halt the dizzying economic downturn, steps that go beyond the $787 billion economic stimulus package he already has signed into law.

According to his senior aides, Obama will use the speech to explain and promote his plans to shore up the flagging housing market and stem foreclosures, regulate the nation's financial industries, deliver aid to banks and the auto industry, reform health care and enhance educational opportunities. [I](walk on water, heal the sick and bring about world peace..sorry, I couldn't resist :D)[/I]

"One of the president's tasks tonight is to explain how all of this fits together and how what happens in one part of our economy impacts on what happens to individuals and businesses all throughout the country," White House senior adviser David Axelrod told ABC News on Tuesday.

Obama also will respond to criticism from some Republicans in recent weeks that he has been too gloomy as the stock market's slide continued — hitting a 12-year low on Monday before bouncing back Tuesday.

"While our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken, though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before," Obama said in the excerpt.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told NBC that Obama was aiming to set a "Reaganesque" tone in the speech, telling the public that "there are always better days ahead."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said "the American people will see what a great gift he has to be able to communicate with everyone."

"He levels with the American people," Reid said at a Capitol Hill news conference Tuesday. "We know that the economy is bad, but he also has given the American people hope that times are going to be better in the future."

As he moves ahead with recovery plans that already have taxpayers footing a bill exceeding $1.5 trillion, Obama has the public behind him — mostly. A USA TODAY/Gallup poll out Monday found solid majorities supporting plans to fund programs to create jobs, give aid to the states and prevent home foreclosures. Support dropped sharply when it came to giving aid to automakers and bailing out banks in danger of failing.

Louisiana's Republican governor, Bobby Jindal, likely will question whether taxpayer money is being well spent in his party's response after Obama's 9 p.m. ET address.

"Democratic leaders say their legislation will grow the economy. What it will do is grow the government, increase our taxes down the line and saddle future generations with debt," Jindal said in excerpts released Tuesday afternoon. "Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It's irresponsible. And it's no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs or build a prosperous future for our children."

Although not officially labeled a State of the Union address, Obama's address will come with all the trappings. It will be delivered in the ornate House chamber, carried live on the major TV networks and attended by members of both houses of Congress, the president's Cabinet, diplomats and Supreme Court justices.

First lady Michelle Obama will host average Americans touched by the sinking economy in her chamber box. Among them: Mary Henley of Richmond, Va., a 78-year-old who still works cleaning office buildings because she can't get by on Social Security payments, and Ty'Sheoma Bethea of Dillon, S.C., a middle-school student who has been lobbying Congress to get help for her crumbling school. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and other crewmembers from US Airways Flight 1549.

Contributing: Fredreka Schouten