[Illinois is a Red State]

Is it 2010 yet? Oh, I so badly want it to be RINO season.

[KoRn]

These three RINO senators are useful the fools to the left. They should be purged from the republican party as soon as possible.

[keepitreal]

The Wall Street Journal online reported, noting that Democrats removed key tax cuts and benefits for business as political payback for Republicans who failed to support the plan

Now that's bipartisanship for you. Deny any help to businesses, which actually produce something and create jobs, to get even. What great Americans./s

American workers may get welfare, but they won't get a decent job.

[Antoninus II]

We need to call up the militia.

[SouthTexas]

Tea time.

[wildandcrazyrussian]

Spector, Snowe and Collins are very simply traitors.

[JDoutrider]

I pray the Psalms 109 unto these that destroy our Nation...

[Logical me]

Specter is a RAT. Willing to sell out for a handout. What a rotten nitwit.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Here's a list of all of the stimulus money requests by state

[fight_truth_decay]

Collins reply: February 13, 2009

Dear X

Thank you for contacting me with your views regarding the economic stimulus package. I appreciate your taking the time to do so.

Our nation is in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis. We have witnessed the collapse of the housing market, the unraveling of our nation’s financial institutions, and the evaporation of trillions of dollars that have been invested in the stock market and other retirement and investment funds. I have heard from far too many Mainers who have had to delay their retirement plans because they no longer have the nest egg for which they worked so hard.

Every day, we hear more reports of massive job losses in communities all across America, and Maine is no exception. Our state’s unemployment rate has risen to seven percent, the highest level in 16 years.

I agree with many economists that it is critical that Congress pass an economic stimulus bill to boost the economy and create jobs. Earlier versions of the House and Senate economic stimulus bills were, however, far too expensive and bloated. These versions also included too many provisions that may well be worthwhile, but are more appropriately funded in a regular appropriations bill. That is why I joined with Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and a group of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, including Senator Olympia Snowe, to craft a compromise bill. As a result of our hard work and weeks of negotiations, a group of Democrats and Republicans working together were able to reach a compromise on a more fiscally responsible economic stimulus plan that will cost $100 billion less than previous versions considered by the House and Senate.

While this bill is by no means perfect, it will go a long way toward creating jobs and addressing the dire economic challenges faced by our nation.

It is estimated that this bill will create or save 3.5 million jobs in Maine and nationwide over the next two years. Much of this bill will fund transportation, energy and other infrastructure projects that will result in job creation. It includes a temporary increase in federal Medicaid dollars, which will bring $470 million for Maine over the next 27 months. And it provides a significant funding increase for the Pell Grant program, special education funding, and a State Stabilization fund to help states deal with their serious budget shortfalls.

The bill also includes crucial tax relief for low and middle-income families, tax incentives for small businesses, and an increase in safety net programs, as well as funding for energy efficiency and alternative energy development programs.

Given the substantial investment the federal government is making in this stimulus, it is critical that the taxpayers’ money be spent properly. It is for this reason I have pushed throughout the negotiations for measures to ensure the money is wisely spent, including additional funding for agency Inspectors General, the Government Accountability Office, and the creation of a “Recovery Act Transparency Board.” As Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I, along with the Committee’s Chairman will soon hold the first Committee hearing on safeguards to protect against waste, fraud, and mismanagement and to ensure accountability and transparency.

Again, thank you for contacting me. This bill will go a long way toward creating jobs and addressing the dire economic crisis faced by our nation.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Collins

United States Senator

[OafOfOffice]

Wait a minute! He sold out America for his own hide? When he was told Obama's healthcare rationing would not be cost effective for someone his age? When he said that part of the stimulus would be taken out if that was true and it was not?

The other part he was told was that certain groups would not be part of the rationing. Government and elite powers would be excluded.

Stalin would be proud.