TOPICS
TOPICS
Obama: 'Only government' can solve nation's ills
In a major address on Thursday in which he unveiled his economic stimulus plan, President-elect Obama made the case for a dramatic increase in the role of government, along with key initiatives that would affect the federal workplace -- including a proposal to upgrade 75 percent of federal buildings to make them more energy efficient.
"It is true that we cannot depend on government alone to create jobs or long-term growth, but at this particular moment, only government can provide the short-term boost necessary to lift us from a recession this deep and severe," Obama said in a speech at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. "Only government can break the vicious cycles that are crippling our economy -- where a lack of spending leads to lost jobs which leads to even less spending; where an inability to lend and borrow stops growth and leads to even less credit."
Specifically, Obama proposed to double the production of alternative energy within three years; to upgrade classrooms and laboratories at tens of thousands of educational institutions across the country, to launch infrastructure repair projects to upgrade bridges, roads and schools; and to expand broadband access nationwide.
Obama also pledged to "modernize more than 75 percent of federal buildings" to increase energy efficiency. In a December address, Obama said, "We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs."
Obama insisted on Thursday that his proposal was "not just another public works program." Under the plan, he said, "the overwhelming majority of the jobs created will be in the private sector." He added that the proposal would "save the public sector jobs of teachers, cops, firefighters and others who provide vital services."
"Our goal is not to create a slew of new government programs," Obama said, "but a foundation for long-term economic growth."
COMMENTS
- "Obama: 'Only government' can solve nation's ills". I think our Founding Fathers would vehemently disagree with this statement, as would many Americans today! Hmmm Posted January 26, 2009 11:33 AM
- I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you! To say that "only government can solve nation's ills" seems to be a call for socialism over capitalism. I've worked for the government for over 20 years, and while it has done some things well, it has also royally screwed up others! The best solution to our troubles lies with the creativity and ingenuity of the American people, not the government! Just Saying Posted January 21, 2009 8:13 PM
- I suppose these ideas are more constructive that Pres Bush asking us to go shopping to stimulate the economy. We have got to get beyond our collective selfish consumer society. Heaven forbid we cannot go into Wal-Mart and buy stuff we probably don't need. All the while, manufacturers want to compete so they are shipping jobs off-shore. Marie, I don't know that taxing companies that outsource will work, because the selfish comsumer will complain at the cash register. We have been through 8+ years of government outsourcing its function to contractors who have one major goal -- to get more and more contracts. I have to LOL when I hear that the same contractor who was supposes to assist the government in an area that help caused the current financial crisis has been hired by the Treasury to assist in the bail out. Amazing. Even the government is a selfish consumer, and will engage in a ponzi scheme to keep the money flowing. So, Pres Obama, I guess it's a good start, but a band-aid on the chest wound of a government that does not want to provide the basic functions of providing stability and security. IEC Posted January 13, 2009 2:46 PM
