The man, Obama, has been hard at work this past week trying to get GOP backing for his new stimilus package. To see the plan at a glance go to : http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/01/26/stimulus_plan_at_a_glance/

Basically, the plan will call for $825 billion to create jobs in the renewable energy and homeland security and offer tax breaks for those who pay the high cost of childcare. OBRA, the temporary health insurance for those who had lost it when they lost their jobs, would also be expanded.The plan also calls for the renovation of over 10,000 schools and an increase in Pell grants that could enable college accessibilty to over 7 million students.

Now, the GOP's won't stop their complaining and criticism of the bill. I think general discussion and discourse is entirely appropriate. Afterall, look what happened when we pushed through Bush's all-encompassing $700 billion bailout? Zero accountability and more mismanaging of our money. Therefore, why would the GOP allow the government to make the same mistake? I do think that all bills should be carefully picked apart as neither party has the " perfect" solution. Yet, I secretly harbor a feeling that they just don't want to admit that their antics brought us to the point where this country HAS to have a measure like this.

I don't want my taxes to increase any more than you do. Yet, I don't think that creating jobs in renewable energy, that may actually decrease our reliance on foreign oil, or even jobs in homeland security is all that bad. The more people work, the more money they have to put back into the economy. Wouldn't Americans rather be working towards initiatives that will both protect us and help fight global warming?

God forbid we put any money into education. As a teacher its extremely difficult for me to understand why anyone wouldn't want to fortify our nations' education from prekindergarten to college. Our educational system is as close to being in the toilet alogn with the economy, it could use a little boost.

Extending OBRA for people who don't have health insurance? How dare they! Providing tax breaks for those parents who shell out tens of thousands a year just so they can participate in our workforce, and thus, our economy? Shameless.

What strikes me as highly ironic, is that Obama doesn't need the GOP to support the bill. He will have enough votes in the house to pass it regardless. Yet, Obama is following through with his campaign promise to work across party lines to formulate solutions to the problems that those to the right of the party lines, created for us.

Stop digging in your heels GOP. The bill will pass. Your insight and suggestions are important and justified. Be part of the solution, not a continued part of the problem.

In other words, stop acting like whining babies. Do the right thing. Our economy depends upon it.