The agreement on the Obama Stimulus Plan makes Barack Obama the first president to ever have such a significant economic stimulus package passed by both Houses in such a short period of time. It is the biggest economic relief package since FDR’s “New Deal”. But what does it mean to the average American?

The almost $800 billion stimulus package means that lower and middle-income taxpayers will get an extra $13 a week in their paycheck this year and about $8 more a week next year. Unemployment checks will go up $25 a week and will keep coming even longer. There are thousands of dollars of tax breaks for new home buyers and people buying new cars. Food stamp benefits will rise for 30 million Americans and short-term health insurance will become more affordable for many losing their jobs.

Obama’s economic stimulus package breaks down to $280.8 billion in tax cuts, $308.5 billion in discretionary spending and $198 billion in Direct Spending. Here’s how that breaks down:

Tax Cuts

• $280.8 Billion

Discretionary Spending

• $61.1 billion in Transportation, Housing/Urban Development
• $53.6 billion in State and local school grants
• $50.8 billion in Energy and Water
• $43.9 billion in Education
• $26.4 billion in Agriculture
• $25.8 billion in Depts of Labor and Health and Human Services
• $10.5 billion in Environment
• $36.4 billion in Other spending

Direct Spending

• $90 billion in Medicaid
• $57.3 billion in unemployment, compensation and other programs
• $25.1 billion in Cobra subsidies
• $20.8 billion in Health information technology
• $4.8 billion in other spending

Many in Washington are heralding this stimulus package as a sure winner for America. But the ugly truth about the Obama stimulus plan is that the average American had to take it on the chin in order for the stimulus package to pass. The original plan called for a $15,000 tax credit to first time homebuyers - that was cut from plan. Buyers can still get up to $8,000 tax credit - but it’s really a tax-free loan to be paid back by the home buyer over 15 years. And any potential tax savings on reducting car loan interest from your income tax was also slashed from the stimulus package.

Pork barrel spending is also stuffed into this stimulus packages. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) was able to allocate a big chunk of the $8 billion to construct high-speed rail lines could go to a Los Angeles to Las Vegas route. And Arlen Specter (R -Pennsylvania) make sure $10 billion was set aside for one of his priorities, the National Institutes of Health.

While the deal-making was going on, the Republicans fought for tax cuts while the Democrats wanted spending. You know who won - Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats.

So in a nutshell, the celebrated Obama stimulus package does little for the average American. You think that $13 more dollars a week is going to make a difference to the average American? This will help spread the gap between the haves and the have-nots in America.

This is NOT a stimulus package, instead, it’s a stability package to keep America from going into Depression - that’s right Depression!

Where are all the new jobs coming from? And what about the bill that our children will have to pay?

It’s typical politics - nothing has changed in Washington - and probably never will.

New York State has declared war on the Indians.  Governor Paterson has demanded  taxes on Indian cigarettes retailers. The issue is that Indian tribes are allowed to sell cigarettes untaxed to Native Americans but are supposed to collect taxes on cigarettes and tobacco products to non-Indians.

With unemployment down and tax receipts plummeting, the governor is looking to close a huge budget gap.  And now he is ready to scalp the Indians to get his hands on the projected tax monies that the Indians has previously never charged. 

“It hasn’t been collected in a very long time, so it’s obviously going to be difficult, but we think we took a step [Monday] that is a firm step in the direction of making that happen,” Paterson said.

The new law will prohibit manufacturers from selling tobacco without a state tax stamp to any wholesaler who won’t promise the cigarettes won’t be resold tax-free by New York tribes.

Violators could have their licenses revoked and could be prosecuted criminally for perjury or filing a false instrument, the governor said.

Lawmakers say the law could mean hundreds of millions of dollars a year going to the cash-strapped state. Paterson said it could be closer to $62 million. The state excise tax is $2.75 a pack.

The Inidan tribes see the law as a threat to their sovereignty and have threatened possible legal action.

“Attacking tax-free commerce in our territories is short-sighted and disastrous for us and all of western New York,” said Barry Snyder, president of western New York’s Seneca Nation.

“The issue here is not cigarettes, but the protection of the Nation’s treaty rights. We will do what it takes at the right time to protect those rights.”

The state of New York, like many other states are in a “state of panic” in trying to balance the budget.  Looks like Uncle Sam will be the only thing to bail out many states.

Gov. Paterson - leave the Indians alone!

I have been looking at the tax plans for both presidential candidates. I believe that both have good ideas and bad ideas. But it’s fair to say that we really don’t know if either of them will work.

It is true that Barack Obama’s plan is focused more on helping the “common man”, by providing tax relief to middle America - but at what expense?

Will a measly $1,000 a year really make the difference? How are we going to pay for it? The national deficit is growing at an alarming rate and additional tax cuts will just add to it.  This could have long term devastating effects on the economy and the value of the once “almighty dollar”.

On the other hand, John McCain’s tax plan calls for giving big business and the highest earners the larger tax cuts.  The “trickle down economics” of the republican plan doesn’t sit well with most Americans. But let’s be fair - it had worked in the past (some will obviously disagree).

So what is the right course to take on tax reform?  Everyone has ideas, but no one knows for sure.  I believe that giving the middle and lower classes a tax break can help the “psychology” of America.  It can help average folks feel like there is a future - that this economic crisis can be turned around.

The Obama plan calls for promoting and supporting domestic small businesses and that is great for America.  I believe that John McCain feels that same way, but he hasn’t really come across as the savior for the middle class.

I think both candidates agree that Alternative Minimum Tax must be eliminated. The tax reforms of 2001 expire in 2010 and AMT will tax more than 20 million Americans, if it is not changed.

John McCain’s plan calls for cutting the corporate tax rate to 25%, down 10% from the current 35%.  But will that only help big business?

Both candidates agree in health care reform. But again, it will cost trillions, yes trillions of dollars in the long run. Can we afford it - can we afford not to do it?

The bottom line is this: We won’t know what will work until a new president is elected,and the tax plan has time to mature.

I hate to say it - but most Americans want immediate gratification and middle class Americans deserve something to look forward to. The John McCain plan sounds great for big business and the wealthy - but what about the rest of us?

There are plenty of misunderstandings about the Obama Tax Plan. It’s time to lay out the facts and let the voters decide if the tax plan is in the best interest of America.

Before we do, it’s important to note that the Obama plan is all about giving middle and lower class Americans a tax break, which is approximately 95% of all Americans.

The John MCCain tax plan follows the tradition tax plans, giving the highest earners the biggest tax breaks, while providing little support to the middle and lower classes.  We all now this as trickle down economics.  The theory is that giving big business and the highest earners tax breaks, will trickle down to the average Joe, “no, not the average Joe Plumber”.  Bush subscribes to this policy - has it worked?

Here is what the Barack Obama tax plan is proposing:

Raise taxes for those making over $250,000 a year

Let’s be realistic - they can afford it.  Over the past eight years, the highest earners are the ones who have benefited from the Bush plan. They can afford health care, to buy a home, to maintain a home, to go on vacation and not have to worry about making ends meet every month. Even today, they are in much better shape, financially than most of America.

Increase the tax credit for low wage earners:

Barack is proposing to triple the amount of tax cuts for main street Americans. It sounds like a lot but in reality, it will barely be enough for us to get by.  But his plan is going in the right direction.

Here are some comments about the Obama Tax Plan:

Rea Hederman Jr., a senior policy analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation “said the middle class would likely pay less under Mr. Obama’s plan than Mr. McCain’s.” [NY Sun, 8/15/08]

Obama’s tax calculator is “a very simple gadget that’s the most useful thing I’ve seen on any political website in a while.” [Forbes.com, 10/08]

Cut taxes for the small business owners and those companies that keep jobs in America

How many people do you know have lost their jobs because big business has shipped the jobs overseas?  I, for one, am directly affected by this - and I am still unemployed.  I am angry that the big companies are looking for a profit and forgetting about their employees, some who gave their sweat and blood for 10 - to 20 years, only to be told - get out!

Now, I’m starting my own small business - and I’m excited about the prospects under Barack Obama’s tax plan.  In order to compete globally, America must keep the jobs here and support our small businesses - we are capable of competing with anyone in world!

Here are a few more facts about Obama’s tax plan:

• Cut taxes for 95 percent of workers and their families with a tax cut of $500 for workers or $1,000 for working couples.

• Provide generous tax cuts for low- and middle-income seniors, homeowners, the uninsured, and families sending a child to college or looking to save and accumulate wealth.

• Eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses, cut corporate taxes for firms that invest and create jobs in the United States, and provide tax credits to reduce the cost of healthcare and to reward investments in innovation.

• Dramatically simplify taxes by consolidating existing tax credits, eliminating the need for millions of senior citizens to file tax forms, and enabling as many as 40 million middle-class Americans to do their own taxes in less than five minutes without an accountant or tax advisor.

Tax Relief For Middle Class Families will include:

• A $1,000 Tax Credit
• A refundable $4,000 American Oppportunity Tax Credit
• A Universal 10% Mortgage Interest Tax Credit
• Elimate Income Taxes for Seniors Making Less than $50,000
• Expand retirement savings incentives
• Health Care Credits
• Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
• Expanded Tax Credits for Clean Vehicle
• Simplify Tax System