Vincent Ford, the man credited with writing Bob Marley’s classic “No Woman, No Cry,” passed away in Jamaica on December 28.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Details of Obama's Stimulus Package
US president-elect Barack Obama is expected to hammer out with congressional leaders final details for a massive stimulus package designed to revive the country's reeling economy.The "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan'' is expected to cost between $750 billion (1.5 trillion) and $1 trillion, and Obama has said it would be aimed to "create or save'' three million jobs by 2011.
Democratic lawmakers are optimistic the package will be approved in Congress by early February, just weeks after Mr Obama moves into the White House on January 20.
But top Republicans have called for more time and public hearings before voting on the bill.
The tentative spending proposals include:
• Massive infrastructure and public works projects, with money for roads, mass transit, bridges and schools, projects that Mr Obama has called "shovel ready.''
• A portion of a middle class tax cut that will become part of a permanent tax cut in the upcoming budget: immediate tax relief of some $500 for individuals and $1000 for couples.
•Doubling production of renewable energy through spending and tax incentives.
• Developing a national energy grid for harnessing and distributing power derived from water, wind and other alternative energy sources.
• Cash for states facing revenue shortfalls.
• Improving health care technology to bolster productivity and reduce bureaucratic costs.
• Extending part-time workers' unemployment compensation - a proposal Republican lawmakers have blocked in the past.
• Subsidizing employer expenses to temporarily continue health insurance coverage for laid-off and retired workers and their dependents.
The plan may also enable workers laid-off from jobs without insurance benefits to become eligible for Medicaid coverage.
What Did Bill Richardson Do?
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is withdrawing his nomination as Commerce Secretary, two Democratic officials told CNN's Ed Henry on Sunday.The Democratic officials said Richardson cited the distraction of a federal investigation into his ties to a California company that won municipal bond business in New Mexico after contributing money to various Richardson causes.
Richardson, one of the best-known Hispanics in the Democratic Party, served as the energy secretary in the Clinton administration as well as ambassador to the United Nations.
Leading Democrat: Bush 'the worst president we've ever had'
As the nation prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, a leading Democrat is not letting up in his criticism of President George W. Bush.“I really do believe President Bush is the worst president we’ve ever had,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Reid pointed to Bush’s failed plan to privatize the Social Security program and also said Bush “has done his very best to destroy Medicare” in order support his assessment of Bush’s presidency.
Asked by David Gregory if he had any regrets about his persistent criticism of Bush, Reid responded, “I am who I am.”
“I think you just have to call things the way you see them.”
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
