The Dems are determined to break all previous spending records.  I often 
ask the question "How much is enough ?  If $3T per year isn't enough, 
how much is ?"  I believe they are trying to answer my question.  Are 
any of these fools thinking about what will come next ?  Do they 
remember the 30's and the 70's ?  Where do they think all of this money 
will come from ?  This is typical liberalism where the cure will be 
worse than the disease.

=========================================

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5014F120090102

U.S. governors seek $1 trillion federal assistance
Fri Jan 2, 2009 5:48pm EST  

By Jon Hurdle

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Governors of five U.S. states urged the federal 
government to provide $1 trillion in aid to the country's 50 states to 
help pay for education, welfare and infrastructure as states struggle 
with steep budget deficits amid a deepening recession.

The governors of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio and Wisconsin 
-- all Democrats -- said the initiative for the two-year aid package was 
backed by other governors and follows a meeting in December where 
governors called on President-elect Barack Obama to help them maintain 
services in the face of slumping revenues.

Gov. David Paterson of New York said 43 states now have budget deficits 
totaling some $100 billion as tax revenues plunge.

"It's clear that the federal government needs to step in and jump-start 
the economy," said Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts.

The latest package calls for $350 billion to create jobs by building or 
repairing roads, bridges and other public works; $250 billion to 
maintain education; and another $250 billion in "counter-cyclical" 
spending such as extending unemployment benefits and food stamps, which 
are typically a responsibility of the states.

The remainder would be used to fund middle-class tax cuts, stimulate the 
embattled housing market, and stem the tide of home foreclosures through 
a loan-modification program.

Gov. Jon Corzine of New Jersey said he hoped some of the $700 billion 
authorized by Congress in the Troubled Asset Relief Program would be 
available to help the housing market.

The governors said during a conference call with reporters that the plan 
had been discussed with Congressional leaders and the incoming 
administration, which had indicated its willingness to help.

"The Obama team has been very receptive in listening to us," said Gov. 
Jim Doyle of Wisconsin. He said "quite a number" of other governors back 
the initiative.

The Republican Governors Association, however, said the level of federal 
aid being sought would create a burden for the future.

"The proposal by the Democratic governors goes beyond things like 
'shovel-ready' infrastructure projects and is essentially a bailout of 
these states' general funds," Nick Ayers, executive director of the 
Republican Governors Association, said in a statement. "Now is the time 
to focus on finding cost-effective ways to provide essential services 
without burdening future generations with ever greater debt."

Doyle of Wisconsin said the plan would allow states to maintain 
essential services at about the current level until 2010, when the 
national economy is expected to begin a recovery.

The proposal comes amid expectations that the Obama administration, 
which takes office on January 20, will provide hundreds of billions of 
dollars in economic stimulus to boost the shrinking U.S. economy and 
halt the loss of jobs.

Paterson of New York said his state's budget deficit has surged to $15.4 
billion currently from $5 billion in April 2008, despite a 3.2 percent 
cut in the education budget.

Corzine said the money called for represents about 3 percent to 3.5 
percent of the economy, equivalent to the amount that the economy is 
expected to contract by over the next two quarters.  

In light of the $700 billion provided to bail out the financial 
industry, "It's not shockingly large," he said.

CMPQwk 1.42-21 9999 
Democrats --  The party responsible for the housing meltdown ....

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