Obama Stimulus Plan: Homelessness Up 50% In New York City

MYFOXNY.COM - If you think you've been seeing more people sleep on city streets, statistics back up the perception. The homeless population living on New York City streets has gone up 50 percent in the past year, according to city statistics reported by the HellsKitchenLife.com blog.

The New York City Department of Homeless Services conducts a yearly survey of the streets of the city to count the number of homeless who are not in shelters. The HOPE survey was conducted in January 2010.

The number of homeless in the borough of Manhattan was up 47 percent in the past year, according to the count. The 2010 count had 1,145 people living in the streets. That is up 368 from 2009.

Brooklyn had the biggest increase of any borough. It saw a homeless increase of more than 100 percent in 2010.

More than 1,000 people now live in New York City's subway system -- up 11 percent in the past year.

While the numbers are alarming, they are still at historically low levels and the ratio of homeless to the general population remains low compared to other major cities, according to the city. The HOPE survey showed a 29 percent drop in homelessness from 2005.

DHS works to prevent homelessness and also provides short-term emergency shelter. The agency seeks to help homeless individuals move from shelters back to permanent housing.

For example, the DHS says it provided temporary, emergency shelter to 8,230 families with children -- equating to 25,204 adults and children in July. But the agency says shelters have seen fewer families. From October 2009 through June 2010, shelters had 11 percent fewer children, who are now back in homes of their own

Stimulus Plan Anniversary I Would Like To Forget

February 17 marks the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s “stimulus” bill. While it has been a year since the Democrats in Congress and the President rammed through their ill-conceived plan, the effects of their deficit spending will be felt for generations to come.

Following enactment of the stimulus, the White House trumpeted its predicted effect on our economy. In a statement dated February 17, 2009, the Obama Administration asserted: “The American economy is in the midst of a crisis unlike any we have seen in our lifetime. The economy lost 3.6 million jobs in the last 13 months, the biggest job loss since the end of World War II. Many experts believe unemployment could reach double digits if no action is taken. In light of this historic economic weakness, President Obama is signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a nationwide effort to create jobs and transform our economy to compete in the 21st century.”

So, what has been “recovered?” As of January 2010, more than 16 million Americans are out of work with “real unemployment” exceeding 17%. Small businesses have seen little to no relief with “Stimulus/Recovery” funding only finding its way into state budgets and federal projects.

In other words, we now have a monument that should forever remind us of the failed policy of redistributing wealth and the truth that only a very limited government is effective.

I propose an immediate “Stimulus” package utilizing the unspent $500 billion: immediately eliminate capital gains taxes, the death tax, and the alternative minimum tax. Small businesses and those who will invest capital will do what they do best, create jobs.

The American people are right in clamoring for less spending and greater government accountability. The Washington spending spree has not helped our struggling families; instead, the deficit has gorged to historically critical levels at the hands of elitist politicians who don’t trust Americans with our own money.

It’s time for the federal government to live within its budget and its Constitutional bounds.

Second Stimulus Plan "Fraud"

The drumbeat is starting to get louder in Washington when it comes to drafting a "Second Stimulus Plan" focusing on infrastructure projects because the 787 billion Bill approved in February was to small said Laura Tyson a outside adviser to President Obama. However, when the President was selling his 787 billion dollar stimulus package to the American people, the administration predicted that the unemployment rate would not surpass 8%. Last month employers shed 467,000 jobs which sent the unemployment rate to 9.5% the highest in 26 years. Vice President Biden goes on the ABC News Sunday Talk Show and said, Administration misread the economy after saying during the campaign that this was the worst economy since, the Great Depression. The figures we worked off of in January consensus figures most of the blue chip indexes out there. Today on ABC News Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said a second stimulus plan is probably needed and predicted that Congress is likely to act at the end of the year to inject even more money into the economy. Sen. Whitehouse and President Obama should have talked to Sen. Reid before making there statement on a second stimulus bill. Sen. Reid has slammed the door on a second stimulus bill even though President Obama said he, is leaving all options on the table when unemployment is close to reaching 10%. Sen. Reid Reid actually made a rational statement for the first time when he said, A little less than 90% still needs to be put out there to the American people and we are in the process of doing that. Finally, the Republicans who voted against this reckless stimulus bill and were proven right. The President and the Democratic Congress want a "Do-Over" so, they can waste another trillion dollars on President Obama failed economic policies. This is starting to become American economic doomsday nightmare scenario that could destroy our great nation within the next ten years.

Stimulus Jobs "Where are the Jobs"

The President and Democratic controlled Congress passed the 787 Billion Dollar Stimulus Package and many Americans are starting to ask "Where Are The Stimulus Jobs". The White House says the stimulus package has created 21,000 highway and transit jobs as of May 31. The number, one of the first counts of actual stimulus based employment is based on state reports to Congress House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Thousands of indirect jobs were created such as deli employees who prepare lunch for construction workers who produce the steel for projects were also created or sustained jobs. The White House says that 787 Billion Dollar Recovery Act has created or saved 150,000 jobs in the Administrations first 100 days. The President said during a speech a week ago that the stimulus package created or saved 600,000 jobs. The cost of one stimulus job is $92,000 per job according to the White House formula. Congressional Republicans who have blasted the Recovery Act as wasteful spending and won't create the number of jobs promised took issue with the Administration figure. Republicans criticized the Obama Administration for not reporting a specific number of jobs created or saved by stimulus plan based infrastructure spending. Republicans on the Transportation Committee pointed out the only 21,000 jobs were created , though the Committee Democrats have said the 64.1 billion dollars in infrastructure spending would create 1.8 million jobs. Republican leaders have slammed the Obama Administration for failing not to stem the rising unemployment rate. The unemployment rate is 9.4% in May and is expected to reach 9.6% in June when the new numbers are released on Thursday. The Democratic Party have made plenty of promises about putting Americans back to work but I think the question is where are the stimulus package jobs?. Finally, after spending almost a trillion dollars there better be some jobs by the end of the summer if Democrats want to stay in control of the Congress in the 2010 mid-term elections.

Jobless Claims All-Time High As States Borrow Money

The government checks that keep the average American a float are running out fast. The reason why? The United states is obligated to pay benefits to the swelling ranks of jobless Americans are piling debt onto strained state budgets. Fifthteen states have depleted there unemployment insurance funds so, far forcing them to borrow from the United States Treasury. A record 30 out 50 states are expected to have to borrow up to 17 billion dollars next year said Rick McHugh National Employment Law Project, a nonpartisan advocacy group. We are setting the stage for big pressure for states restrict eligibility and benefits levels McHugh said, Those type of restrictive actions undercut "The Depression Era programs" economic and social stability purpose. The state run unemployment insurance programs are normally, financed with payroll taxes paid by employers on each worker. But the funds tax revenue are falling as at the same time benefits demands are rising. Nine million Americans are receiving job benefits, triple the number who got checks at the beginning of last year. Experts predict the number of recipients will peak sometime this summer as long-term unemployed run out of benefits, which recently extended to 59 weeks in most cases. The majority of states did not see the recession devastating impact and failed to create a adequate cushion in there unemployment insurance funds may seek a raise in payroll taxes meeting resistance from employers, experts have predicted. State unemployment taxes will have to go up, but unemployment will have to come down said Andrew Stetter of the National Employment Law Project. The 787 Billion dollar stimulus package offered the states 7 billion dollars to expand who qualifies for unemployment benefits, and extend the length of time benefits are paid to 59 weeks from 26 weeks. The package allowed states to borrow money interest free through 2010 but must be repaid. The economy has shed more than 500,000 jobs in each of the first four months this year and the jobless rate is expected to reach 10% by the end of the year. Michigan, which of all states have the highest unemployment rate in May 14.1% has doubled borrowing for it's unemployment insurance fund to more than 2 billion dollars since the beginning of this year. California owes the federal treasury $1.5 Billion and New York owes $1.3 billion up from $358 Billion in January. Jobless benefits are typically about half of the workers last salary. The checks often supplement meager earnings from part-time or temporary jobs. Finally, the federal and state government may have to extend unemployment benefits another 13 weeks because there will be millions of Americans who will run out of benefits. I would love to read your comment about this mounting issue in America.

"MY OWN AMERICAN STIMULUS PLAN"

I believe that "My Own American Stimulus Plan" is more cost effective to Americans than President Obama One Trillion Dollar Stimulus Plan that will bankrupt our children's future. The First part, of my Stimulus Plan is to have a "Federal Tax Free Holiday" for the next six months. This means that Average American can take that extra money home in Federal Taxes in there next Paycheck and stimulate the American economy right away. The extra money in there pockets will help Americans through these tough times. The Second part, of my Stimulus Plan is to lower all six "Income Tax Brackets Five Percent" that means if at the top you pay 35% you will pay 30% and at the bottom if you pay 10% you will now pay 5% and that will stimulate the economy right away. The Third Part, of my Stimulus Plan is to lower all Capital Gains Rates 75% on dividends and that will release a lot of extra money to be invested into the American Economy. President Obama was asked this question by Charlie Gibson of ABC News that cutting the Capital Gains Rate helps the economy, because people use that money to invest in the American economy and create jobs. President Obama as usual did not know what the hell Charlie Gibson was talking about when it came to cutting the Capital Gains Rates. The Fourth Part, Of my Stimulus Plan is is to have a Tax Free Holiday for "Three Years" if people decide to take money out of their IRA because, they have been laid off from there job. This should be enacted today by Congress so, that Americans can access this money without paying a large penalty because of the country economic woes. The Fifth part, of my Stimulus Plan is to lower all taxes on small businesses because, they create 80% of all the jobs in America. I believe that there should be a Government infusion of 50 Billion Dollars into small business who want to expand their workforce in the next two years. Finally, lower all corporate taxes in America 5% because, of declining profits and a smaller workforce. The more money Corporate America has in it's own pocket the more they can spend on new employees and new technology. This plan that I have put forth could stimulate the economy right away if it was enacted by Congress and the President today. President Obama Stimulus Package is not going to stimulate the economy it is just another waste of a Trillion Dollars.

PRES. OBAMA GREAT DEPRESSION

President Obama is making a critical mistake if he, thinks that his One Trillion Dollar Stimulus Package will solve our country economic woes. President Obama thinks that his Stimulus Bill will have the same affect as the New Deal had in the 1930's under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. I believe that his Stimulus Package will have the same affect as the "New Deal" and it will drive our country into a "Great Depression". The history books lied to most American telling them that the "New Deal" solved the Great depression, but it was the beginning of World War Two that created millions of Manufacturing jobs for the American people. The Obama Administration is making the same mistake the Bush Administration made buy throwing Billions of taxpayers dollars away on a stimulus package that did not work. The Washington political elite told us that the 150 Billion Dollar Stimulus Package back in early 2008 would solve our country economic problems. Then we were told that the 700 Billion dollar TARP Bailout Plan would solve our economic problems by freeing up credit so, that banks could loan money to the American people. President Obama steps forward today with a Trillion Dollar Stimulus Package that is suppose to create 4 million new jobs in two years. The Congressional Budget Office the Gold standard in Washington says that the Obama Administration is lying about how many jobs they will create in this flawed Stimulus Package. The liberals have already started attacking the Congressional Budget Office for not being fair to the Obama Administration. The Democrats loved the Congressional Budget Office when they came out with negative information about the Bush Administration. In this so, called Stimulus Package they are spending 640 Million Dollars on contraceptives and other useless programs that will not help the Average American get a job. President Obama should have started with a small stimulus package cutting the Capital Gain taxes rate and lowering corporate taxes 50% so, that corporations can keep there money through these hard economic times. The President should have given money to small business because, they employee about 80% of the American workforce. This stimulus Package is crazy when you think about how much debt we are going to leave for future generations. This is like a recurring nightmare and we are in 1920's Germany and we are printing money as fast as we can spend it on programs that we not solve our basic economic problems. The Federal And State Governments across this nation need to go on a diet and tighten their belts or we will will be the next nation state in history were they will be showing films of American people going to the store with a barrel of money trying to buy some bread.

PRES.OBAMA ATTACKS RUSH LIMBAUGH

The message from the Obama Administration to Republicans that you should not listen to Rush Limbaugh and his Conservative Views. The Obama Administration and Democratic controlled Congress are flexing there muscles and telling Republicans if they want to get a stimulus bill done they will have to toe the line of the Obama Administration. A White House Official confirmed that Obama made the comment while, discussing the 1 Trillion dollar stimulus package in a so, called bipartisan meeting at the White House. President Obama said to the Congressional leaders that our disagreements should not derail the stimulus package because, the big issue is the economic crisis. There was a exchange with Rep. Eric Cantor of Virgina who made a comment about the stimulus package President Obama reminded him that he had won the election. President Obama disrespected one of the most important Republicans in the country and he is talking about bipartisanship in Washington. President Obama told the Congressional leaders that he, planned to get his legislation passed by Congress because of the Democratic controlled Congress. President Obama feels that this economic crisis should be dealt with quickly even though the Congressional Budget Offices disputes that his economic plan will create the estimated 4 million jobs. The Republicans in Congress say the estimated 1 trillion dollar price tag is a burden on our children's future and the stimulus package does not address lowering taxes enough to create jobs. The leaders of the Republican are saying how can you spent hundreds of millions of dollars on contraceptives said House Leader John Boehner of Ohio. Robert Gibbs the White House Press Secretary said that the meeting went well when they were discussing the economic crisis. Finally, Robert Gibbs said that President Obama will go to Capital Hill next week and talk to the Republican Caucus about his stimulus package but, most people call it window dressing for the media. The One Trillion Dollar stimulus package will be passed the way the Obama Administration wants it even if there is no help from the Republicans.

QUEEN NANCY PELOSI

The House Democratic Leadership is extremely, mad at Queen Nancy Pelosi because it seems that she, is taking all the power away from the Committee Chairman when writing legalisation for the up coming Stimulus Bill. The Chairman of these Committees have been forced to wait on the sidelines as monumental bills are being written in Queen Nancy Pelosi's office. The leaders of these Committees are complaining louder and more often because, they want a return to order when bills are written in Committee is long overdue. The members warned Pelosi if the closed door legislative process does not change with the Economic Recovery Bill frustration could boil over and spill over onto the floor of the Congress. This is really coming to a head soon Rep. Bart Stupak who Chairs The Energy and Commerce Oversight Committee. The question is are we actually going to legislate, There is a opportunity for us to turn this corner, but we have not done it yet with Speaker Pelosi. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer indicated the there would be some Committee markups on the Stimulus Bill especially, in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. On Wednesday the Democratic leaders unveiled to markup the Stimulus Bill to 825 billion dollars by two Committees the Ways And Means and Appropriations Committee. Many Democrats feel frozen out of the process because of the need to quickly enact the Stimulus Bill. Rep. Alice Hastings the Third Ranking Member on the Rules Committee said that members brought this up in our caucus meetings. In the case of the Stimulus Bill is much too important to slow down, but in the future he continued , it would be better to go through the process slowly and the hits and misses that come with that. Rep. Defazio is hearing the same urgency out the Obama administration appointees that I heard out of the Bush Officials when it comes to the Economic Recovery Plan. Rep. Defazio says the we can make suggestions but, it is a top down process. Rep. Defazio said that she is very aware of our concerns and she is not unreceptive to pushbacks she is getting from caucus members and she is not telling us to it down and be quite. Finally, Queen Nancy has promised the Committee Charmian that there will be regular order in Congress once we get past the Stimulus Bill.

OBAMA " THE FINANCIAL THEFT ACT OF 2009"

I cannot believe that so many Republicans are supporting this stimulus package by President-Elect Obama. This stimulus package is worth a Trillion Dollars and it will rob our children of a solid economic future. This stimulus package will be full of pork and wasted projects that will not solve our economic crisis. There will be thousands of government jobs that will drain the coffers of the federal government for the next 50 years. President-Elect Obama is talking about creating green jobs that will help save our environment. "I Want To Know What The Hell Is A Green job". I tell you what a green job is a make work government job that does not make any damn common sense. I am tired of these Washington politicians trying to solve the Wall Street financial crisis with taxpayers dollars. The politicians in Washington need to come out in a united front and tell the American people that we need to ride out this financial crisis and support businesses that are successful in America and give them financial aide so they can create more jobs in America. This country is now rewarding failing businesses with bailouts and financial aide packages instead of letting some of these businesses go bankrupt and pay the price for there lack of business savvy. Finally, this is the beginning of a long four years when it comes to fiscal responsibility, because I expect President-Elect Obama to go on a spending spree and pay off all his Liberal Socialist friends who helped him become President Of the United States.

OBAMA "TRIlLLION DOLLAR DEFICITS"

President-Elect Obama is predicting Trillion dollar deficits because, of the Wall Street bailout and the Trillion Dollar Stimulus Package. Obama told the media that even if there was spending cuts that the deficit would reach the magical number of a trillion dollars in the near future. Obama said that "We are going to have to stop talking about budget reform". "We are going to have to totally embrace budget reform". The biggest problem that Obama has is managing the deficit is that the gap between revenues and spending and the swelling deficit, national debt and the amount the government borrowed to finance the debt. Obama has scheduled a news conference for today to make a personnel announcement related to budget reform and aides. Obama will incorporate some new provisions in his new American Recovery And Reinvestment Act to ensure the money is not wasted. There will be a special panel to monitor the use of the money so, it is not being wasted. There will be a website for taxpayers to monitor that the money is not be wasted by earmarks and political pet projects. Finally, Obama is predicting three million jobs but, there has to be some type of fiscal responsibility if this country economic system is going to survive. The trillion dollar stimulus package is a bad idea with the financial condition of America.

BAILOUT WATCH 2009 "RETAILERS"

The National Retailers in America are looking for a bailout because, of poor holiday sales. The retailers facing record losses are asking President-Elect Obama to incorporate three tax free holidays in 2009. The retailers want this to be incorporated in the stimulus package bill. The Retail situation is critical said National Federation Retailers wrote in letter to President-Elect Obama. In October through December consumer confidence level were at it's lowest level in the last 50 years. We urge you to act quickly on this legislation to help so, that you can make consumer spending as one of your first priorities of your Administration the NFR Said in the letter. Therefore, under this proposal the Federal Government would reimburse the state governments for losing tax revenue. The letter also, stated without quick additional Government measure the current economic weakness could worsen creating rapid downward spiral that could be worse than the economist are predicting for 2009. The group supports Mr. Obama's effort to create a long-term stimulus package that will generate jobs by rebuilding the infrastructure and investing in public schools and alternative energy programs. In the third quarter spending fell 3.7% the biggest drop in 25 years. The fourth quarter results are expected to fall even more. Finally, who's next in 2009 to stand in line for there handout from the Federal Government. This Corporations, Retailers, Banks and Firms have no shame when trying to get free taxpayers dollars form the Federal government.

OBAMA STIMULUS PACKAGE "WILL IT WORK"

President-Elect Obama will be presenting a Trillion Dollar Stimulus Package in the next few weeks. This package will consist of money for large infrastructure projects in America. This stimulus package is estimated by the Obama administration to create three million jobs for laid off workers in America. This is a big gamble for the Obama Administration because large infrastructure project are ripe with over projections in costs and theft by organized crime. The Obama Administration seems to be copying the New Deal programs of the 1930's but they have to understand that the government programs did not bring us out of the depression it was the beginning of World War Two that help end the Depression in America. I personally believe that the Obama administration should invest in small businesses all across American because they create about 80% of the jobs in this nation. The Obama Administration should create a program called "America First" in which the government will only spend money with businesses that manufacture products in America with American workers. The government has to stop giving contracts to companies that sub-contract there work to overseas manufacturing facilities in China. This would stimulate the re-birth of new Manufacturing facilities in America if the United States Government verify that all products are made in America. The Obama administration has to think outside of the box and not just cling to the old left wing programs that they believe have succeed in the past. The main part of the package should consist of lowering corporate taxes and small businesses taxes. The corporate taxes in America are the second highest in the world. If you look at the corporate taxes in Southeast Asia you will find that they are the lowest in the world and they are our biggest competitors. Finally, I know that the Obama Administration will not lower corporate taxes because he is a left-wing liberal but he, has to understand that we are in a depression and it would be the best thing for a failing economy.

OBAMA "TRIlLLION DOLLAR STIMULUS PACKAGE"

The Obama Administration will be presenting a Trillion Dollar Stimulus package right before he is inaugurated President Of The United States. This package will cover re-building the nations infrastructure and so-called job training programs. I know that President-Elect Obama is trying to solve a difficult problem with the economy but, to throw a Trillion Government Dollars at the American economy so, that Wall Street can be happy that is a tremendous mistake. President-Elect Obama has to understand that money does not grow on trees and that there has to be some type of fiscal responsibility when it comes to running a government. This Stimulus package does not include his first federal budget which more than likely will be over Three Trillion Dollars. This means in the first year of his Presidency he, will have spent Four Trillion Dollars of our children's money and we will probably have to bailout even more banks and firms. If you don't think that we are spending money like Germany in the 1920's you are highly mistaken. This could sink the nation into a deeper depression if this Stimulus Plan does not work, because of the lack of fiscal responsibility by Bush and Obama. The Obama Administration has to present a program to pay down our Nations Debt and Federal deficit. This nations debt when you add up all of our bills we owe about 50 Trillion Dollars in world Debt. The nations deficit is about 400 billion dollars and that could be managed if the economy turns around in the next two years. The Obama Administration should use the stimulus package on certain areas of the economy that will help the average American get jobs. Finally, we have to spend the taxpayers dollars wisely or we will eventually, run out of money and create a massive depression. Our federal government cannot keep throwing money at failed corporations and failed government policies. The Welfare State has to end or our nation will end up like a Third World Country.

OBAMA STIMULUS PACKAGE "FOOLS GOLD"

President-Elect Obama will submit a 500 billion to "One Trillion Dollar Stimulus Package" to Congress as soon as he, is sworn into office. President-Elect Obama says that his package will create 2.5 million jobs and stimulate the American economy. The markets have reacted to the stimulus package by having positive days on the stock market nine out of the last ten days. The government money will flow through the American economy and create some stability in the economy but, it will not solve the basic problems in our economy that the foundation of our house is cracked and ready to collapse. The future Obama Administration has to address that we a 50 Trillion Dollars in debt and it has to be solved right now before house collapses on the American people. President-Elect Obama needs to tell the American People that they need to make a sacrifice in how much the federal government spends every year on there annual budget. The Federal Government spent 3.1 Trillion on the American people this year and that needs to be cut in half so, we can start paying off our debts to forgein countries around the world. The problem with the American economy will not be solved with these quick stimulus packages but, with a long range plan that will make the United States Government solvent again. Finally, the Obama Administration needs to come up with a 20 year plan that will solve our economic problems and put this country on course to being the strongest economic power in the world. This stimulus package sounds good to the American people right now but, two or three years later we will still have to address the real reason why the American and world economy is collapsing.