U.S. plans $1 billion aid package for Georgia

I.....I....I....I got nothing.......

Unreal! BS politics while we and our economy struggles, our bridges are falling apart, and our roads are going in the crapper! Lovely!

how do we keep spending money we do not have, i dont get it, i dont spend money i dont have, in fact, i reign in spending on necessities when I dont have the money, no wonder everyone has a debt problem, our governmental role model is hemorrhaging money, if only we could figure out how to hemorrhage inward

I don't see how as a country we can afford to be sending that kind of aid to a country that can not repay it .. Why even bother lets take care of the people in our own country first.. The goverment is complaining how we are in such bad shape as a country that our dollar is weak and people are loosing there homes but we are sending money to a country that can't and won't repay it its bull

I wonder, I just wonder, whether this whole thing could have been avoided had we done better with diplomacy. Not after the conflict - before it.

"Well we couldn't really do *beep when they shot at you, but here is our tax payers' money - go fix something".

our govt is always the LAST to know it's own peoples financial straights and most are in a hell of a bind. I cannot recall a time so dire financially for the general popluation of the US. Our govt should being doing a hell of alot more than the rebate they handed out in spring. WAKE UP sentators, representatives and Pres Bush, there is a critical financial situation in all the US.

Waghington is like Themla and Louise in the car heading towards the cliff. It's only a matter of time befor Washinton drives off that cliff.

I just want to know how much money Russia is coughing up? How about instead of us giving them money, we just bill Russia for it. When we bomb a country we rebuild it. Russia should do the same.

I wonder if our $1 billion aid package is on it's way to Florida! We have 3 storms back to back coming our way - What's up GW???????????

Everyone on this post has internet access. Start flooding your Representatives and Senators with email and correspondence. If you have to fill out a form online, make sure you choose OTHER instead of a specific drop down topic or you will get a Form letter response. Check it out here: world wide web dot visi dot com slash juan slash congress

Yeah, the GOP doesn't get it, but let's not forget that this was Obama's idea. In terms of giving away money to other countries, it's the democrats who lead in that area of misdirection.

Obama's idea? Sorry hon' but I don't understand your comment - We have been giving money to support other countries for years so how is this possibly Obama's fault/idea?

I DO have a problem with helping, ShawnC. We are not taking care of ourselves. How in the world can we take care of everyone else?

I sincerely hope this economic package must pass the Congress after it is authorized by President Bush. If it then passes, we should all vote our representatives out of Congress, as they obviously have no concern for Americans.

How can you guys not think helping Georgia is wrong????? This is wrong on SO MANY LEVELS! First, Georgia was the aggressor! Georgia attacked the republics that wanted to return to Russia, in the middle of the night, with the US admin's blessing no doubt, and now are twisting it to make it seem like Russia is the bad guy here! And Cheney has the nerve to say their meeting is "in the shadow of the Russian invasion of Georgia." Ummmm, anyone who reads the articles pertaining to this story can easily see this is a blatant lie to steer anger toward Russia.

And Doesn't any one else here find it disgusting that Cheney met with international oil executives before arriving in Azerbaijan, which just so happens to be the richest oil reserve in that region????? This administration is so emboldened with their arrogance that they are no longer even bothering to cover up their conspiracies and crimes against us. Disgusting!

I live in South Fl, and right now there are 3 hurricanes that are coming this way off the Atlantic. If we get hit, my office closes and I don't get paid. I am one of those millions of Americans that live paycheck to paycheck. I, and thousands more like me, will be royally screwed monetarily if we get hit by Hanna, Ike, or Josephine, not to mention the potential destruction if we get pounded. It makes me sick that the government will give a billion dollar handout to a country none of us will ever even visit, yet won't help Americans pay their bills if disaster hits. I am so mad right now I think I might spontaneously combust!

<strong>My heart goes out to you. I agree with all that is being said. Is it time to get rid of the people in D.C. ?? The President has term limits, I would like to know why Congress does not and do we even need Congress?

Sorry about your problem. It is very frustrating to know that our administration that is suppose to help us WON'T. Just the other day, I was talking to my supervisor about our work schedule. I told him, I don't care what hours I work because right now I am very lucky to have a job. he looked at me like I was crazy. I guess if you don't watch the news that often you don't know what is going on. If you really and truly want to go to Iraq, join the Army, if you are of age and can pass the physical. My daughter is in the process of doing that. her soon to be ex was getting over $800 in housing allowance (tax free, if I remember correctly). they are paying the military alot more now than when my husband was in. My son is a E-5 in the Navy and makes more money than I do (while on shore duty) no sea pay or sub pay in that. I think alot of our laid off americans should run to our nearest recruiter and sign up. let the government actually take care of you while doing a service for your country. I am not happy with our government when they give away money that we need to survive but I really and truly love our country as a whole and would not live anywhere else.

I completely agree. I am the wife of a soldier that is in Iraq as we speak. Unemployed, healthy Americans should really look to joining the Army. Not only do they pay for your housing, they also provide health insurance for your entire family if you are on active duty status that you don't pay anything out-of-pocket for. We are not rich, by any stretch of the imagination, but we are doing very well and he's only currently an E-4. Heck, why not get paid and have insurance paid for? We love the Army life. Of course it has its CONS, but, what job doesn't?

This is just an aside, but since you are from the state of Georgia, did anyone mention in passing why that country and your state have the same name? Just coincidence of 2 kings named George, or what?

Legal_Non Alien:

My point exactly. If I bail out on my country and become a Georgian, will I be worthly of being noticed then?

clear that neither of the two reigning parties in Washington have our best interest at heart. keep that billion here and give us better health care for starters! Why should they care they give themselves a cost of living raise every year trust me they dont pay the high dollar gas we do and they got excellent health care do you think our government reeally care about us-not-..... only when election times comes.... vote for me...... I like you

People could have voted for Ron Paul instead of calling him an idiot. He was our only chance for this country.

That old argument a Democratic congress was in charge is stupid and incorrect. It is not a democratic congress unless they control it. Right now the congress in both houses are not veto proof thus the president and the republicans can styme any legistlation they choose. Its amazing that they can all think the same when an issue comes up.

a little out there? Can you say the current choices are any better? The country needed someone to toss out old ideas and try fresh new ones. The status quo is not working today. People can not think outside the box. This country is headed for utter collapse and people treat the election like a popularity contest from high school. The best thing we could do for this country is do away with the party system. Force people to judge candidates on where they stand and who they are regardless of party. It is too easy for people to become so deeply rooted in party politics that they begin to seem like sheep led to the slaughter. And never become the wiser. It's sad that we can't get a person with strong ethics and common sense that doesn't have to be a millionaire. Do you think ANY of these financially wealthy people care about any of us lesser endowed? They will ALWAYS look out for themselves first and not our country. Does money make you more capable of running our country? Does money make you a better person? 1 billion in aid to ANY country other than our own right now is appalling to say the least. But let's consider how much has been wasted on this election process. That is truly absurd. Elect me to office and we'll get our country on the right path!!!

You all have such short memories. It was John Kasich who worked with Bill Clinton to shut down military bases and cut spending to try and make the Regan dream of paying-off the national debt come true. All that welfair reform on the poorest Americans while they continue to give money and tax breaks to big corporations. Where is John now; oh yea, he was thrown out for all his hard work. Thanks for taking care of your own Republicans. Then Bush and the Republican Congress started spending money like drunken sailors. Guess that's as close as they will come to being military.

LOGDUMP That old argument a Democratic congress was in charge is stupid and incorrect. It is not a democratic congress unless they control it.

the argument is not stupid or incorrect, as long as we keep making this kinda excuses for them, both parties always blame the other for not having "control", nothing will ever get done and we will continue to struggle. Both parties whether they control or not, dont do squat for their own people! a

Look, it makes no difference which party is "in charge".

BOTH parties send billions of US taxpayer money over seas every year. It's only the details that change.

This isn't about Dems v. GOP this is about a government that is out of control.

Partisan politics is a distraction (we actually have more in common than many would believe) and is used to keep We the People divided and pointing fingers at each other.

If we could actually send a message to both parties that ignoring us is unacceptable we might get the government we actually deserve.

Because there is a lot of oil in the region, this is about energy. I can't say I'm against it because I like being able to put gas in my car.

but, wouldn't it be nice NOT to have to put gas in your car? There are plenty of other things we can do.

the stress of what? taking the summer off?

Stress??? They take summers off, they get their wages regardless of how they perfom (and they can't be fired), they get to keep that pay AND all of their health coverage after they are finished ruining (ooops, running) our country.

I would bet my last dollar (which is coming faster than I can make it) that they ALL still own their homes, cars, motorcycles, planes, boats, etc. and still go on vacations.

Wish I had that kind of stress!!!

NO S@#T!!!! Me too!!!

However, seeing as all WE, THE PEOPLE do is complain on message boards, we can't expect anything to be done. We need to contact our congressmen and senators to let them know how we feel. Call, send e-mails and letters EVERY DAY. Organize PEACEFUL demonstrations to let the people WE elect know how we feel. I send several e-mails and make several phone calls to each congressman and senator a few times a week. They are usually the same letter (why not, they use form letters to respond) and same message, but at least I can pester them about what I care about!

Tired - come next summer, after whoever gets sworn in in January, if there are no improvements then I think that is a great idea. My guess is everything - economy, war bill, health care issues, national and foreign debt - will worsen. Then more people will be inclined to rally/protest. We'll see soon enough!

Bet he will get it from us before our NOW fearless leader leaves office!

Who wants to bet against me?

Like Hell we better not send them that money.

He can find the friggin money elsewhere. Why beg for it from others? They can tax their people till they can't give any more. That is what our government is doing. And people want to vote for Obama?!

Why don't these politicians cash in their stock portfolios to pay for some of this?

Oh wait, that might actually affect THEM instead of the working American. How silly of me.

$8 billion? Oh brother. We are turning our pockets inside out and nothing is there, NO money is left, and certainly not to build up the military of some other country. Russia would really get ticked over that build up if we financed it. Good grief.

No kidding.. we would have to BORROW money from some other country to give to them... just like we had to BORROW money from another country to give our people stimulus checks to "build the economy back up." Too bad most people paid bills with that stimulus check instead of buying TVs and stuff.

Georgia will probably get that 8 to 9 $B eventually if Russia ever does leave. Think they need a replacement for Saakashvili though, he's too much of a liability with too many political and border enemies. Maybe Kezerashvili will replace him.

I agree completely!

Yeah Ron Paul... time for a write in vote

Ron Paul is an idiot!

Anneik.......We have the Government we deserve... Yes We all are to blame for this BS...We voted these scumbags into power. This is what they do.

Ron Paul cannot possibly be any worse than where we are right at this moment.

RUSS

Why don't you cite example of his idiocy? Instead of a simplistic jab with no merits!

ShawnC30 Remember... we live in the best country in the world....The country that cannot even educate our Students, Take care or our Elderly, though we will build Schools and hospitals in Iraq and other places. We are a country full of Fools

That is why I have been asking that we look at the issues that we the American people are facing today. I was a decorated Marine in Viet Nam but that was 40 years ago and I am tired of hearing about it. Now I am concerned about my kids, my family, and my Country. All we are doing is policing the world at our expense and when they get in trouble we send our tax money to bail them out. I knew we were up to something as soon as I read our sneaky VP was in Georgia.

Agree with it or not Obama has laid out his economic plan, let's make McCain do the same thing then compare them. We all love our troops and our Country but let's keep both strong and safe. Let's deal with the reality not history, Palins kids, race, gender, or Political party. OUR number one priority has to be America. Rather than slamming each other because we have been conditioned to believe in a party, we need to be mandating that the candidates explain the issues we are all facing now or soon will be. This election has to be about the issues. We cannot continue the path we are on now.

I agree with you completely. I am disgusted by this news.

Re Log dump 's post I'm Sorry apparently a link can't be posted here. Okay, a report by Lynnley Browning in the New York Times reflects his numbers . The article says it's citing GAO numbers.

61% of businesses pay no taxes.

I'm not sure, if this is what he's actually refering to , but this report is close to his figure:

Israel was an important supplier of arms and training to Georgia, until Russia suggested that they stop. Several Georgian cabinet ministers are Jews with close ties to Israel (e.g., the Defense Minister).

I Don't feel GUILTY!

I didn't do any of it, NOR did I vote for any of it either!

A Good Old Fashioned Stoning is in order, lets line up congress for starters!

Keep Ron Paul out of the lineup. He usually votes NO for stuff like this.

Sorry Shawn but again Ron Paul. He wanted to shut down the federal reserve. I know that some of his statements were and are way out there but you have to admit he is correct on alot of the statements that he made.

70% of the national debt has been chalked up by three Presidents. Reagan Bush Bush. It now stands at 9 trillion dollars or 32000 dollars each person in the US owes. Every time you hear a republican say fiscal conservative call him a liar.

You have a choice this year.

Let's be clear about who owes the money..you said 32,000 for each person in the US. That would be US citizen. The illegal aliens, undocumented workers, whatever you want to call them don't have to worry about any of that!

Three of the things mentioned are directlly related to one thing. Big Business!!!

Big business does not pay their fair share of taxes so you pay more unless you are rich percentage wise.

Big business needs illegals so they are here and thats a double whammy. First they pay no taxes. Second all the money except what they live on is sent to their country draining this coutry.

Third job outsourcing only benefits big business the consumer get a price increase. These people who take the jobs out of the country I call illegal also.

Fourth Big business tax breaks for offshore business.

Neocons control the republican party. It was their war in Iraq. They support Israel too much. They want to rule the world which is not going to happen. We cannot be the police force for the world.

I cannot see how 40% of the people in this country can support more of the same.

Time to get smart forget the slick ads and take back your country

And much of this is to undermine the unions. They have restricted the right of unions to organize and bring in cheep labor to break the industries. Why do you think Walfart is still non-union? My father was a craftsman in southern California and made a good living before Bush 1 gave the illegals amnesty. They have ruined the trades and destroyed many of the good paying jobs we used to enjoy.

Very good idea but they won't listen.

Here is all the contact information you need.

world wide web dot visi dot com slash juan slash congress