The Weekly Address February 7 2009

The Weekly Address February 7 2009

The full text of the speech follows the video

REMARKS OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

WEEKLY ADDRESS

The White HouseSaturday, February 7, 2009

Yesterday began with some devastating news with regard to our economic crisis. But I'm pleased to say it ended on a more positive note.

In the morning, we received yet another round of alarming employment figures – the worst in more than 30 years. Another 600,000 jobs were lost in January. We've now lost more than 3.6 million jobs since this recession began.

But by the evening, Democrats and Republicans came together in the Senate and responded appropriately to the urgency this moment demands.

In the midst of our greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, the American people were hoping that Congress would begin to confront the great challenges we face. That was, after all, what last November's election was all about.

Legislation of such magnitude deserves the scrutiny that it's received over the last month, and it will receive more in the days to come. But we can't afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolutely necessary. The scale and scope of this plan is right. And the time for action is now.

Because if we don't move swiftly to put this plan in motion, our economic crisis could become a national catastrophe. Millions of Americans will lose their jobs, their homes, and their health care. Millions more will have to put their dreams on hold.

Let's be clear: We can't expect relief from the tired old theories that, in eight short years, doubled the national debt, threw our economy into a tailspin, and led us into this mess in the first place. We can't rely on a losing formula that offers only tax cuts as the answer to all our problems while ignoring our fundamental economic challenges – the crushing cost of health care or the inadequate state of so many schools; our addiction to foreign oil or our crumbling roads, bridges, and levees.

The American people know that our challenges are great. They don't expect Democratic solutions or Republican solutions – they expect American solutions.

From the beginning, this recovery plan has had at its core a simple idea: Let's put Americans to work doing the work America needs done. It will save or create more than 3 million jobs over the next two years, all across the country – 16,000 in Maine, nearly 80,000 in Indiana – almost all of them in the private sector, and all of them jobs that help us recover today, and prosper tomorrow.

Jobs that upgrade classrooms and laboratories in 10,000 schools nationwide – at least 485 in Florida alone – and train an army of teachers in math and science.

Jobs that modernize our health care system, not only saving us billions of dollars, but countless lives.

Jobs that construct a smart electric grid, connect every corner of the country to the information superhighway, double our capacity to generate renewable energy, and grow the economy of tomorrow.

Jobs that rebuild our crumbling roads, bridges and levees and dams, so that the tragedies of New Orleans and Minneapolis never happen again.

It includes immediate tax relief for our struggling middle class in places like Ohio, where 4.5 million workers will receive a tax cut of up to $1,000. It protects health insurance and provides unemployment insurance for those who've lost their jobs. And it helps our states and communities avoid painful tax hikes or layoffs for our teachers, nurses, and first responders.

That's what is at stake with this plan: putting Americans back to work, creating transformative economic change, and making a down payment on the American Dream that serves our children and our children's children for generations to come.

Americans across this country are struggling, and they are watching to see if we're equal to the task before us. Let's show them that we are. And let's do whatever it takes to keep the promise of America alive in our time.

Thank you.

Executive Order 13501: Establishment of the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

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Establishment of the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to enhance the strength and competitiveness of the Nation’s economy and the prosperity of the American people by ensuring the availability of independent, nonpartisan information, analysis, and advice to the President as he formulates and implements his plans for economic recovery, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. There is hereby established within the Department of the Treasury the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB). The PERAB shall consist of not more than 17 members, who shall be appointed by the President from among distinguished citizens from outside the Government who are qualified on the basis of achievement, experience, independence, and integrity. The overall membership of the PERAB shall reflect a diverse set of perspectives from across the country and from various sectors of the economy. The President shall designate a Chair from among the members. The Chair shall appoint a Staff Director, who shall supervise the staff of the PERAB.

Sec. 2. The functions of the PERAB are advisory only. The PERAB shall meet regularly and shall:

(a) solicit information and ideas from across the country and from all sectors of our economy about the functioning of the economy, the condition of the financial and banking system, and the prosperity of the American people and of American industry that can serve to inform the decisionmaking of the President, and, with respect to matters deemed appropriate by the President, provide information and recommendations to any other agency with responsibilities related to the economy or financial markets or to the National Economic Council;

(b) report directly to the President on the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies to promote the growth of the American economy, establish a stable and sound financial and banking system, create jobs, and improve the long-term prosperity of the American people; and

(c) provide analysis and information with respect to the operation, regulation, and healthy functioning of the economy and of the financial and banking system. As deemed appropriate by the President, this analysis and information shall be provided to the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, to any other agency with responsibilities related to the economy or financial markets, or to the National Economic Council.

Sec. 3. Administration of the PERAB.

(a) All executive departments and agencies and all entities within the Executive Office of the President shall cooperate with the PERAB and provide such information and assistance to the PERAB as the PERAB may request, to the extent permitted by law.

(b) The Department of the Treasury shall provide funding and administrative support for the PERAB to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations.

(c) Members of the PERAB shall serve without compensation but may receive transportation expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in the Government (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707), consistent with the availability of funds.

Sec. 4. Termination. The PERAB shall terminate 2 years after the date of this order unless extended by the President.

Sec. 5. General Provisions.

(a) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.) (the ‘‘Act’’), may apply to the PERAB, any functions of the President under the Act, except for those in section 6 of the Act, shall be performed by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with the guidelines that have been issued by the Administrator of General Services.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) authority granted by law to a department or agency,or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(c) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.



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Executive Order 13502: Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

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Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. 101 et seq., and in order to promote the efficient administration and completion of Federal construction projects, it is hereby ordered that:

Section 1. Policy. (a) Large-scale construction projects pose special challenges to efficient and timely procurement by the Federal Government. Construction employers typically do not have a permanent workforce, which makes it difficult for them to predict labor costs when bidding on contracts and to ensure a steady supply of labor on contracts being performed. Challenges also arise due to the fact that construction projects typically involve multiple employers at a single location. A labor dispute involving one employer can delay the entire project. A lack of coordination among various employers, or uncertainty about the terms and conditions of employment of various groups of workers, can create frictions and disputes in the absence of an agreed-upon resolution mechanism. These problems threaten the efficient and timely completion of construction projects undertaken by Federal contractors. On larger projects, which are generally more complex and of longer duration, these problems tend to be more pronounced.

(b) The use of a project labor agreement may prevent these problems from developing by providing structure and stability to large-scale construction projects, thereby promoting the efficient and expeditious completion of Federal construction contracts. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Federal Government to encourage executive agencies to consider requiring the use of project labor agreements in connection with large-scale construction projects in order to promote economy and efficiency in Federal procurement.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

(a) The term ‘‘labor organization’’ as used in this order means a labor organization as defined in 29 U.S.C. 152(5).

(b) The term ‘‘construction’’ as used in this order means construction, rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, extension, repair, or improvement of buildings, highways, or other real property.
(c) The term ‘‘large-scale construction project’’ as used in this order means a construction project where the total cost to the Federal Government is $25 million or more.
(d) The term ‘‘executive agency’’ as used in this order has the same meaning as in 5 U.S.C. 105, but excludes the Government Accountability Office.
(e) The term ‘‘project labor agreement’’ as used in this order means a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project and is an agreement described in 29 U.S.C. 158(f).

Sec. 3.

(a) In awarding any contract in connection with a large-scale construction project, or obligating funds pursuant to such a contract, executive agencies may, on a project-by-project basis, require the use of a project labor agreement by a contractor where use of such an agreement will (i) advance the Federal Government’s interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement, producing labor-management stability, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other matters, and (ii) be consistent with law.

(b) If an executive agency determines under subsection (a) that the use of a project labor agreement will satisfy the criteria in clauses (i) and (ii) of that subsection, the agency may, if appropriate, require that every contractor or subcontractor on the project agree, for that project, to negotiate or become a party to a project labor agreement with one or more appropriate labor organizations.

Sec. 4.

Any project labor agreement reached pursuant to this order shall:

(a) bind all contractors and subcontractors on the Construction project through the inclusion of appropriate specifications in all relevant solicitation provisions and contract documents;
(b) allow all contractors and subcontractors to compete for contracts and subcontracts without regard to whether they are otherwise parties to collective bargaining agreements;
(c) contain guarantees against strikes, lockouts, and similar job disruptions;
(d) set forth effective, prompt, and mutually binding procedures for resolving labor disputes arising during the project labor agreement;
(e) provide other mechanisms for labor-management cooperation on matters of mutual interest and concern, including productivity, quality of work, safety, and health;and
(f) fully conform to all statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.

Sec. 5. This order does not require an executive agency to use a project labor agreement on any construction project, nor does it preclude the use of a project labor agreement in circumstances not covered by this order, including leasehold arrangements and projects receiving Federal financial assistance. This order also does not require contractors or subcontractors to enter into a project labor agreement with any particular labor organization.

Sec. 6. Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council), to the extent permitted by law, shall take whatever action is required to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement the provisions of this order.

Sec. 7. The Director of OMB, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and with other officials as appropriate, shall provide the President within 180 days of this order, recommendations about whether broader use of project labor agreements, with respect to both construction projects undertaken under Federal contracts and construction projects receiving Federal financial assistance, would help to promote the economical, efficient, and timely completion of such projects.

Sec. 8. Revocation of Prior Orders, Rules, and Regulations. Executive Order 13202 of February 17, 2001, and Executive Order 13208 of April 6, 2001, are revoked. The heads of executive agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, revoke expeditiously any orders, rules, or regulations implementing Executive Orders 13202 and 13208.

Sec. 9. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 10. General.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 11. Effective Date. This order shall be effective immediately and shall apply to all solicitations for contracts issued on or after the effective date of the action taken by the FAR Council under section 6 of this order.

Signed February 6, 2009

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The Obama Drama

It has been a few days since I have posted. I have had some issues and as Dr. Dave pointed out, I have lost far too many good news worthy items during my absence. So in an effort to catch up I will attempt to paint a broad picture and then start back from current on.




As we sit here on Sunday morning, looking out toward the horizon what we have looking back at us is not a happy animal. What is looking back at us is an angry animal that has taken control of the day to day operations of the countries financial destiny and left many leaders thinking that they must react in some way, even if they don't understand what this animal truly is. The current rendition of the stimulus, which is being touted as the latest greatest way to tame the great angry animal, is now at $800 +/- Billion. The old style political machine from the Bush Presidency is somehow creeping back in here as the Change we can believe in turns to THIS MUST BE DONE! I am almost waiting to hear, "I am the President, and I make the decisions" in the same tone and timing that George W Bush said during the pre-Iraq war period.


I thought we just shooed Bush out of Washington along with his college drinking buddies, but than maybe I missed something. I have been gone for a few days. Speaking of the shoeing, the reporter who threw his shoe's at President Bush i being charged with Assaulting a Foreign leader instead of a lesser charge. At the end of the day, even if you didn't like President Bush as a person, he was still the President. I can remember a time when the Office of President was respected, maybe that aspect should make a return in our modern fast food society.

But I must turn my attention back to the economic mud slinging. President Obama pointed to the Republicans Saturday for the policies that fueled the current economic crisis. Then he turned and handed out the praise to a group of moderate senators from both political parties for coming up with a compromise and for the quick action on the package that Obama states is necessary to avoid a financial catastrophe unlike anything that the U S has seen since the great depression.

This stimulus bill swelled to $937 at one point. It will, according to some, be trimmed back to the original $800 Billion level. They will trim out what the Republicans are calling "unwarranted spending". But just what is this "unwarranted spending"? I remember one of the first things our new President stated. That was about having bills be posted for 5 days for public review and comment prior to signing. I have not seen this happen. In-fact I am not sure we will ever see that one happen. The five days rule is the only promise that is reported as broken thus far on the Obametor. The current record of campaign promises is 7 promises kept, 1 promise compromised, 1 broken, 1 stalled, and 18 in the works. Check out the whole list at Politifacts website.

The stimulus package is supposed to be on the Presidents desk by Presidents day. Now, if he were to make sure that the bill was presented to the American public for 5 days that would press back the bill signing by, well 5 days. The logic behind not putting this bill on display for 5 days will be the rushed need to get this bill into effect immediately, as an emergency measure to save our countries economic future. Personally, I think this bill is destined to ensure our countries economic disaster, but that is my opinion. I'm not an economist, so what do I know.

We are not going to get the preview, but we will get a view of where the money goes. According to President Obama, we will be able to see and track the disbursement of the funds on a new web site called Recovery.gov. The website will go live after the passage of the massive bailout bill. We know it will pass, there is little question to that fact. In what order and to what it will hold in its language is what the question is.

According to the Receovery.gov site you should:

"Check back after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to see how and where your tax dollars are spent.

An oversight board will routinely update this site as part of an unprecedented effort to root out waste, inefficiency, unnecessary spending in our government"

However it seems to me that this oversight board might actually have a cost involved and if we are going to see the actual costs involved than I would like to see the salary of each person involved in the posting of those costs as well. Lets see real transparency in this. Will this website report in real time? I doubt that it will be updated on anything other than a daily level. Real time reporting would be to difficult to achieve, but I would assume that the website itself will go live within 5 minutes of the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Will this be the topic in Monday nights Address to the Nation?

What else could the topic be?

The address will be televised at 8:00PM Eastern. If you are unable to view it on television it will be available on several websites including the WhiteHouse.gov site, CNN and I will post it here on the front page under the daily video as soon as the speech is uploaded.

Joe the Vice President goes to Munich

Vice President Biden traveled to Munich on Saturday February 7th 2009 to meet with the Major European leaders and discuss the new American foreign policy direction. His main point on the visit to the Munich Security Council Conference was to press the point that the Obama Administration will treat it's allies as equals. He stated that the US was willing to talk with Iran if the nuclear programs that they have in place are abandoned. He also stressed that GitMo will be closed and that the US will not implement torture.

Europe is more concerned about the statement that the US will need Europe to do more and for the need for them to shoulder more of the security enforcement of this new policy. We shall see how this one plays out over the next few months.

Executive Order 13500: Further Amendments to Executive Order 12859, Establishment of the Domestic Policy Council

A PDF of the signed Executive Order document will be available as soon as it is published in the National Archives.

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

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Further Amendments to Executive Order 12859, Establishment of the Domestic Policy Council
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Executive Order 12859 of August 16, 1993, as amended, is further amended by making the following revisions in section 2:

(a) striking ‘‘(u) Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of National Service;’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘(u) Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison;’’;

(b) striking ‘‘(v) Senior Advisor to the President for Policy Development;’’and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘(v) Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change;’’;

(c) striking ‘‘(x) AIDS Policy Coordinator; and’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘(x) Assistant to the President and Chief Technology Officer;’’;

(d) inserting ‘‘(y) Chief Executive Officer, Corporation for National and Community Service’’ and ‘‘(z) Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and’’; and

(e) relettering the subsequent subsection in section 2 as ‘‘(aa)’’.



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Executive Order 13499: Further Amendments to Executive Order 12835, Establishment of the National Economic Council

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Executive Order 13499

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By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Executive Order 12835 of January 25, 1993, as amended, is further amended by:

(a) inserting ‘‘(l) Secretary of Health and Human Services; (m) Secretary of Education; (n) Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison; (o) Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change; (p) Assistant to the President and Chief Technology Officer; (q) Administrator of the Small Business Administration’’ after ‘‘(k) Secretary of Homeland Security;'' in section 2; and

(b) relettering the subsequent subsections in section 2 appropriately.


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Executive Order 13498: Amendments to Executive Order 13199 and Establishment of the President’s Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

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Executive Order: Amendments to Executive Order 13199 and Establishment of the President’s Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to strengthen the ability of faith-based and other neighborhood organizations to deliver services effectively in partnership with Federal, State, and local governments and with other private organizations, while preserving our fundamental constitutional commitments, it is hereby ordered:  Section 1. Amendments to Executive Order. Executive Order 13199 of January 29, 2001 (Establishment of White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives), is hereby amended: (a) by striking section 1, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:  ‘‘Section 1. Policy. Faith-based and other neighborhood organizations are vital to our Nation’s ability to address the needs of low-income and other underserved persons and communities. The American people are key drivers of fundamental change in our country, and few institutions are closer to the people than our faith-based and other neighborhood organizations. It is critical that the Federal Government strengthen the  ability of such organizations and other nonprofit providers in our neighborhoods to deliver services effectively in partnership with Federal, State, and local governments and with other private organizations, while preserving our fundamental constitutional commitments guaranteeing the equal protection of the laws and the free exercise of religion and forbidding the establishment of religion. The Federal Government can preserve these fundamental commitments while empowering faith-based and neighborhood organizations to deliver vital services in our communities, from providing mentors and tutors to school children to giving ex-offenders  a second chance at work and a responsible life to ensuring that families are fed. The Federal Government must also ensure that any organization receiving taxpayers’ dollars must be held accountable for its performance. Through rigorous evaluation, and by offering technical assistance, the Federal Government must ensure that organizations receiving Federal funds achieve measurable results in furtherance of valid public purposes.’’  (b) by substituting ‘‘White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships’’ for ‘‘White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives’’ each time it appears in the order; and by substituting ‘‘Office’’ for ‘‘White House OFBCI’’ each time it appears in the order. (c) in section 3, by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsections:  ‘‘(c) to ensure that services paid for with Federal Government funds are provided in a manner consistent with fundamental constitutional commitments guaranteeing the equal protection of the laws and the free exercise of religion and prohibiting laws respecting an establishment of religion; (d) to promote effective training for persons providing federally funded social services in faith-based and neighborhood organizations; (e) to promote the better use of program evaluation and research, in order to ensure that organizations deliver services as specified in grant agreements, contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other arrangements;’’,and renumbering the subsequent subsections of section 3 accordingly. (d) in section 4, by striking the first sentence of subsection (b), and inserting in lieu thereof the following: ≥The Office shall have a staff to be headed by the Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director  of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Executive Director).≥  Sec. 2. President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. (a) Establishment. There is established within the Executive Office of the President the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Council).  (b) Mission. The Council shall bring together leaders and experts in fields related to the work of faith-based and neighborhood organizations in order to: identify best practices and successful modes of delivering social services; evaluate the need for improvements in the implementation and coordination of public policies relating to faith-based and other neighborhood organizations; and make recommendations to the President, through the Executive Director, for changes in policies, programs, and practices that affect the delivery of services by such organizations and the needs of low-income and other underserved persons in communities at home and around the world.  (c) Membership. (1) The Council shall be composed of not more than 25 members appointed by the President from among individuals who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government. The members shall be persons with experience and expertise in fields related to the provision of social services by faith-based and other neighborhood organizations.  (2) Members of the Council shall serve for terms of 1 year, and may continue to serve after the expiration of their terms until the President appoints a successor. Members shall be eligible for reappointment and serve at the pleasure of the President during their terms. (3) The President shall designate a member of the Council to serve as Chair for a term of 1 year at the pleasure of the President. The Chair may continue to serve after the expiration of the Chair’s term and shall be eligible for redesignation by the President.  (4) The Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships shall also serve as Executive Director of the Council.  (5) The Council shall have a staff headed by the Executive Director.  (d) Administration. (1) Upon the request of the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Director, the heads of executive departments and agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide the Council with information it needs for purposes of carrying out its mission. (2) With the approval of the Executive Director, the Council may request and collect information, hold hearings, establish subcommittees, and establish task forces consisting of members of the Council or other individuals who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government, as necessary to carry out its mission.  (3) With the approval of the Executive Director, the Council may conduct analyses and develop reports or other materials as necessary to perform its mission. (4) Members of the Council shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in Government service (5 U.S.C. 5701B5707) to the extent funds are available.  (5) To the extent permitted by law, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide the Council with administrative support and with such funds as  may be necessary for the performance of the Council’s functions.  (e) General Provisions. (1) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.) (Act), may apply to the Council, any functions of the President under that Act, except for those in section 6  of the Act, shall be performed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services.  (2) The Council shall terminate 2 years from the date of this order unless extended by the President. Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:  (1) authority granted by law to a department, agency, or the head thereof;  or  (2) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legislative proposals.  (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.  (c) In order to ensure that Federal programs and practices involving grants or contracts to faith-based organizations are consistent with law, the Executive Director, acting through the Counsel to the President, may seek the opinion of the Attorney General on any constitutional and statutory questions involving existing or prospective programs and practices.  (d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.  Download a FREE PDF copy of the Signed Executive Order by clicking here


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The Weekly Address January 31 2009

In the Saturday January 31st weekly address, President Barack Obama confronted the latest economic news and the 4% shrinkage that the country experienced over the period between the months of October and December this past year. President Obama also continued to press for the passing of the so called America Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.

In addition he also announced that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is working on a new strategy for reviving the ailing American financial system. The new strategy should incorporate rules and guidance to ensure that CEOs aren't abusing taxpayer dollars by granting excessive bonuses and remodeling of executive suites as they accept taxpayer dollars to stabilize there wounded companies.

The original text of the Weekly Presidential Address is posted below the video:





This morning I'd like to talk about some good news and some bad news as we confront our economic crisis.

The bad news is well known to Americans across our country as we continue to struggle through unprecedented economic turmoil. Yesterday we learned that our economy shrank by nearly 4 percent from October through December. That decline was the largest in over a quarter century, and it underscores the seriousness of the economic crisis that my administration found when we took office.

Already the slowdown has cost us tens of thousands of jobs in January alone. And the picture is likely to get worse before it gets better.

Make no mistake, these are not just numbers. Behind every statistic there's a story. Many Americans have seen their lives turned upside down. Families have been forced to make painful choices. Parents are struggling to pay the bills. Patients can't afford care. Students can't keep pace with tuition. And workers don't know whether their retirement will be dignified and secure.

The good news is that we are moving forward with a sense of urgency equal to the challenge.

This week the House passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, which will save or create more than 3 million jobs over the next few years. It puts a tax cut into the pockets of working families, and places a down payment on America's future by investing in energy independence and education, affordable health care, and American infrastructure.

Now this recovery plan moves to the Senate. I will continue working with both parties so that the strongest possible bill gets to my desk. With the stakes so high we simply cannot afford the same old gridlock and partisan posturing in Washington. It's time to move in a new direction.
Americans know that our economic recovery will take years -- not months. But they will have little patience if we allow politics to get in the way of action, and our economy continues to slide.

That's why I am calling on the Senate to pass this plan, so that we can put people back to work and begin the long, hard work of lifting our economy out of this crisis. No one bill, no matter how comprehensive, can cure what ails our economy. So just as we jumpstart job creation, we must also ensure that markets are stable, credit is flowing, and families can stay in their homes.

Last year Congress passed a plan to rescue the financial system. While the package helped avoid a financial collapse, many are frustrated by the results -- and rightfully so. Too often taxpayer dollars have been spent without transparency or accountability. Banks have been extended a hand, but homeowners, students, and small businesses that need loans have been left to fend on their own.

And adding to this outrage, we learned this week that even as they petitioned for taxpayer assistance, Wall Street firms shamefully paid out nearly $20 billion in bonuses for 2008. While I'm committed to doing what it takes to maintain the flow of credit, the American people will not excuse or tolerate such arrogance and greed. The road to recovery demands that we all act responsibly, from Main Street to Washington to Wall Street.

Soon my Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, will announce a new strategy for reviving our financial system that gets credit flowing to businesses and families. We'll help lower mortgage costs and extend loans to small businesses so they can create jobs. We'll ensure that CEOs are not draining funds that should be advancing our recovery. And we will insist on unprecedented transparency, rigorous oversight, and clear accountability -- so taxpayers know how their money is being spent and whether it is achieving results.

Rarely in history has our country faced economic problems as devastating as this crisis. But the strength of the American people compels us to come together. The road ahead will be long, but I promise you that every day that I go to work in the Oval Office I carry with me your stories, and my administration is dedicated to alleviating your struggles and advancing your dreams. You are calling for action. Now is the time for those of us in Washington to live up to our responsibilities.

Super Bowl Sunday

Sunday morning February 1st 2009.

Super Bowl Sunday at the White House

It's Super Bowl Sunday! The Cardinals and Steelers will be battling it out on the field later on in the day as the United States settles who will be the Champion of the season. It is a day filled with junk food like hot-wings, chips, dip, popcorn, burgers and beer. Even the President is getting in on the party.

Today, President Obama will host a Super Bowl party which will include 15 lawmakers. They will descend on the White House television room to watch the game and continue the political fight over the stimulus package that Obama feels is paramount to the success of his Presidency and the nations return to financial fortitude.

5 of the people who have been invited to the White House for this Sundays game are from Pennsylvania, Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. While two of the 15 are from Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals. One might wonder how the language will flow as the game progresses if all that are in attendance are true American Football fans.

The Steelers will be represented by a Bi-Partisan group. Perhaps the only bi-partisan assembly that will really work out in this early stage of the Obama Administration, especially after the attempted Republican blockade during the Stimulus vote of this past week while the Republicans voted unanimously against the bill.

Pennsylvania Republican Senator Arlen Specter will be attending. Pennsylvania Democratic Senator Bob Casey is reported to have stated that he's bringing the "terrible towels." Joining in on the Steelers side of the office will be Republican Congressman Charlie Dent and Democratic Congressman Mike Doyle & Patrick Murphy all from Pennsylvania.

The Arizona Cardinals will have representation as well, however it will not include Senator John McCain as one might expect. Reports suggest that though he was invited, McCain declined the invitation to the Super Bowl festivities. Instead the Cardinals will be represented by two Congressmen, Republican Congressman Trent Franks & Democrat Congressman Raul Grijalva. One would think these two could have used the support of Senator McCain and his fellow Arizona Senate colleague Jon Kyl. Both of the Arizona Senators staffers have confirmed that they will not be in attendance.

The remainder of the party goers are a from all over the country, though the allegiance to a team on the grid iron this Super Bowl may not be clear the party affiliations are. Seven more Democrats and just one more Republican will fill the television room. The Democrats are Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois, Congressman Artur Davis from Alabama, Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota, Congressman Paul Hodes from New Hampshire, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton from the Distric of Columbia, and what should come as no surprise Congressman Elijah Cummings from Maryland will also be there. The fourth Republican to be in attendance? Congressman Fred Upton from Michigan.

President Obama has astated that he will be supporting the Steelers, since his team, the Chicago Bears are not in the Super Bowl. Will they be having wings and beer in the White House television room, or will they be using the time to discuss support for the stimulus bill as it moves forward?

Personally I have two teams I follow, One AFC and one NFC. Neither made it this year. Wings and chilli in my house tonight, but no beer this year. It's just not a party if you don't have the Patriots or the Packers in the Super Bowl. But there is always next year.