George Soros groups, ACORN, labor unions, environmentalists push Obama stimulus plan

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/12/15/daily46.html

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Phoenix Business Journal - by Mike Sunnucks

Labor unions, environmentalists and liberal advocacy groups are getting behind president-elect Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plans geared toward public works.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, and the Economic Policy Institute, Campaign for America’s Future and People for the American Way Foundation, which are backed by financier George Soros, are among groups launching a major lobbying push in favor of Obama’s stimulus spending programs. Soros has been a harsh critic of the Bush administration.

The AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, National Education Association and AFSCME government workers union are the main labor drivers behind Obama’s New Deal efforts.

Obama proposes allocation of federal funds for transportation and public works construction to spur activity and jobs in a sector hit by the housing slide. A number of big city mayors and governors, including Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, back the FDR-style plans.

The Democratic president-elect also wants to spend $150 billion over the next decade for research and development of alternative and new energy sources.

Obama also favors middle-class tax rebates, tax breaks for startup and alternative energy companies and a moratorium on foreclosures. He has backed away from previous campaign promises to raise taxes on some big businesses and the rich in the face of recession.

[BeFree]

1. Y'know what?

We might just pull this sucker out.

Targeted at the distressed home building and energy sectors? Good idea. I suggest a strong home remodeling program focused on energy efficiency.