$600 earrings?

This is pretty much a non-story, but I doubt many people are spending their check on lavish earrings. I consider $600 a lot of money.

Spending the entire check on frivolous purchases? Clearly, Michelle Obama loves America.

/DRTFA

What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

Javacrucian:What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

True, but it does suggest she scoffs at $600 as not being much money.

That sure as hell seems like a pretty innocuous statement to me. Having said that, a pair of earrings is probably a smarter purchase than what I did with that money. They would have a better resale value than the alcohol and lap dances I bought during a bachelor party, which is where my refund check went.

The problem is she NEVER said anything about buying a $600 pair of earrings.

"You're getting $600," she told an audience of mostly African-American women here (about this year's federal tax rebates, designed to stimulate the economy). "What can you do with that? Not to be ungrateful or anything. But maybe it pays down a bill, but it doesn't pay down every bill every month."

"Barack's approach is that the short-term quick fix kinda stuff sounds good," she continued. "And it may even feel good that first month when you get that check. And then you go out and you buy a pair of earrings,"

For the reading impaired, she was mocking the worthlessness of the Bush "economic stimulus check" and the fact that the government didn't want you to pay bills with it. Paying bills doesn't stimulate the economy. You were supposed to take your check and blow it on consumer goods like it was a gift from your crazy uncle Sam.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Javacrucian:What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

True, but it does suggest she scoffs at $600 as not being much money.

If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Javacrucian:What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

True, but it does suggest she scoffs at $600 as not being much money.

Aren't she and B millionaires? To her $600 really isn't much. Not much to the McCains either.

/hell of a lot to me

Maybe you should drive:They would have a better resale value than the alcohol and lap dances I bought during a bachelor party, which is where my refund check went.

On the contrary, you've clearly taken to heart the principles of economic stimulus.

Psychotropic:The problem is she NEVER said anything about buying a $600 pair of earrings.

Doesn't matter. The main thing is that we have our WHARRGARBL of the day


/WHARRGARBL accomplished

Tor_Eckman:3_Butt_Cheeks:Javacrucian:What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

True, but it does suggest she scoffs at $600 as not being much money.

If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

You elitist snob. How dare you presume to tell me $600 is nothing. Go into the neighborhood where I grew up and tell those families that. People rob, assault, and kill for much less.

If you think your perspective that belittling people who would embrace $600 because it is alot of money to them is funny or justified, YOU are "doing it wrong".

Javacrucian:Tor_Eckman:If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

I'm doing it wrong.

Then STFU and GBTW!

/I keed, I keed

Evidently I'm doing my HTML wrong too. Maybe it's time for bed.

/g'night

Skeuomorph:On the contrary, you've clearly taken to heart the principles of economic stimulus.

I surely did, as it was something I neither asked for nor needed.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Tor_Eckman:3_Butt_Cheeks:Javacrucian:What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

True, but it does suggest she scoffs at $600 as not being much money.

If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

You elitist snob. How dare you presume to tell me $600 is nothing. Go into the neighborhood where I grew up and tell those families that. People rob, assault, and kill for much less.

If you think your perspective that belittling people who would embrace $600 because it is alot of money to them is funny or justified, YOU are "doing it wrong".

Yes, I am an elitist snob. I'm at work on a Sunday, and when I get done I will get in my '97 Taurus and drive back to my modest 3 bedroom semi. Calling this an "economic stimulus plan" is a joke.

3_Butt_Cheeks:she scoffs at $600 as not being much money
Javacrucian:hell of a lot to me

It's roughly an extra $3.50/hr for one month, or minimum wage for two weeks. And as she pointed out, this is a one time thing, while bills (or your cost of living) happen every month.

To a working person, two weeks' pay at minimum wage is nice but not "a hell of a lot", unless:

Tor_Eckman:you're doing it wrong.

3_Butt_Cheeks:You elitist snob. How dare you presume to tell me $600 is nothing. Go into the neighborhood where I grew up and tell those families that. People rob, assault, and kill for much less.

If you think your perspective that belittling people who would embrace $600 because it is alot of money to them is funny or justified, YOU are "doing it wrong".

I don't disagree with you. But it does not change the fact that $600 is not much to either of the presidential candidates, nor that what Michelle Obama said was accurate.

Maybe you should drive:I surely did, as it was something I neither asked for nor needed.

That's what she said.

// Never mind, I'll give up now. :-)

Maybe you should drive:3_Butt_Cheeks:You elitist snob. How dare you presume to tell me $600 is nothing. Go into the neighborhood where I grew up and tell those families that. People rob, assault, and kill for much less.

If you think your perspective that belittling people who would embrace $600 because it is alot of money to them is funny or justified, YOU are "doing it wrong".

I don't disagree with you. But it does not change the fact that $600 is not much to either of the presidential candidates, nor that what Michelle Obama said was accurate.

Of course it's not much to them, I never suggested it was. Nor did I suggest she said "go buy earrings". Tor whateverhisname is made an asinine comment.

Feel free to attack the 'economic stimulus' all you like. Belittling someone else's income is ignorant.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Of course it's not much to them, I never suggested it was. Nor did I suggest she said "go buy earrings". Tor whateverhisname is made an asinine comment.

Feel free to attack the 'economic stimulus' all you like. Belittling someone else's income is ignorant.

I agree that it's a significant amount of money to most people. And while that is a shame, it's nothing to make light of, and it's also the reason why her statement is correct. The plan was flawed.

The bottom line, though, is that this whole thing is a nonissue. What the article insinuates she said is not what she said.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Maybe you should drive:3_Butt_Cheeks:You elitist snob. How dare you presume to tell me $600 is nothing. Go into the neighborhood where I grew up and tell those families that. People rob, assault, and kill for much less.

If you think your perspective that belittling people who would embrace $600 because it is alot of money to them is funny or justified, YOU are "doing it wrong".

I don't disagree with you. But it does not change the fact that $600 is not much to either of the presidential candidates, nor that what Michelle Obama said was accurate.

Of course it's not much to them, I never suggested it was. Nor did I suggest she said "go buy earrings". Tor whateverhisname is made an asinine comment.

Feel free to attack the 'economic stimulus' all you like. Belittling someone else's income is ignorant.


Who did that? My point was that this "plan" will do nothing to alleviate the problems the people you spoke about are having. Underemployment, healthcare costs, high gas prices, the coming winter heating cost increases, and food price increases are some of the real issues. Solving these problems is what we need, and that is what Michelle was talking about.

My head is about to asplode, Michelle Obama is right. The Bush stimuls plan was stupid. Better to come up with some sort of plan to put more money in peoples pocket while making it easier for businesses to creat jobs hear. Maybe some sort of cut of some kind.

She has one of those WWJD bracelets. What would Jackie do?

globalwarmingpraiser:Better to come up with some sort of plan to put more money in peoples pocket while making it easier for businesses to creat jobs hear.

Sending a check to someone doesn't put money in their pocket? I agree the plan was stupid, but in typical Democratic fashion, you can only whine and biatch while not providing an alternate solution. Until you can provide a suitable alternative, STFU. And spend your quiet time learning to spell.

3_Butt_Cheeks:This is pretty much a non-story

Maybe you should drive:The bottom line, though, is that this whole thing is a nonissue.

Seems we agreed at any rate.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Belittling someone else's income is ignorant

Tor_Eckman:Who did that?

Tor_Eckman:If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

Regardless of what she said, buying jewelry is probably keeping in line with the intent of the economic stimulus than spending it on electronics, which stimulates China's economy...

3_Butt_Cheeks:Seems we agreed at any rate.

You mean I have nothing to argue about? Fark it, I'm going to bed then.

Maybe you should drive:3_Butt_Cheeks:Seems we agreed at any rate.

You mean I have nothing to argue about? Fark it, I'm going to bed then.

Beer then bed. Damn, 2.5 hrs of 'work' left. grrrr.

"And it may even feel good that first month when you get that check. And then you go out and you buy a pair of earrings," she joked.




Good. It was a joke. It wasn't funny, but it was a joke.

3_Butt_Cheeks:3_Butt_Cheeks:This is pretty much a non-story

Maybe you should drive:The bottom line, though, is that this whole thing is a nonissue.

Seems we agreed at any rate.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Belittling someone else's income is ignorant

Tor_Eckman:Who did that?

Tor_Eckman:If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

I belittled the $600, not anyone's income.

But then I am an "elitist snob", so what I say doesn't matter anyway, right?

3_Butt_Cheeks:3_Butt_Cheeks:This is pretty much a non-story

Maybe you should drive:The bottom line, though, is that this whole thing is a nonissue.

Seems we agreed at any rate.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Belittling someone else's income is ignorant

Tor_Eckman:Who did that?

Tor_Eckman:If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

I belittled the $600, not anyone's income.

But then I am an "elitist snob", so what I say doesn't matter anyway, right?

Forget it. You know $600 is alot to someone who makes 20 grand a year, not so much to 120 grand a year. To say if $600 is alot means YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG is plain ignorant.

/END this crap.

3_Butt_Cheeks:3_Butt_Cheeks:3_Butt_Cheeks:This is pretty much a non-story

Maybe you should drive:The bottom line, though, is that this whole thing is a nonissue.

Seems we agreed at any rate.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Belittling someone else's income is ignorant

Tor_Eckman:Who did that?

Tor_Eckman:If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

I belittled the $600, not anyone's income.

But then I am an "elitist snob", so what I say doesn't matter anyway, right?

Forget it. You know $600 is alot to someone who makes 20 grand a year, not so much to 120 grand a year. To say if $600 is alot means YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG is plain ignorant.

/END this crap.

I know that $600 isn't going to do anything to stimulate this economy.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Javacrucian:What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

True, but it does suggest she scoffs at $600 as not being much money.

That's because it's not.

Tell someone who has to buy fuel oil this winter that $600 is a lot of money.

3_Butt_Cheeks:3_Butt_Cheeks:This is pretty much a non-story

Maybe you should drive:The bottom line, though, is that this whole thing is a nonissue.

Seems we agreed at any rate.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Belittling someone else's income is ignorant

Tor_Eckman:Who did that?

Tor_Eckman:If you think $600 is a great deal of money, you're doing it wrong.

I'm pretty sure that he meant that compared to the bills people have to pay every month, gas, groceries, etc. that getting a one time check for $600 doesn't really make an appreciable difference.

I think you took a throwaway comment that was meant to illustrate the point and you decided to be offended by it.

"If we can't paint Obama as a bad American, we'll attack his wife by contorting her words and flat out lying."

I imagine Cindy McCain thinks you should eat cake.

drevil877:3_Butt_Cheeks:Javacrucian:What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

True, but it does suggest she scoffs at $600 as not being much money.

That's because it's not.

Tell someone who has to buy fuel oil this winter that $600 is a lot of money.

First, $600 is a lot of money, and I make enough that it doesn't come remotely close to a paycheck for me, but it's still nothing to scoff at. No, you aren't going to live off of it, and no, you aren't going to spend a month on a private island off of Fijo, but it's not exactly the kind of thing you find between the couch cushions, either. Second, this massive infusion of money isn't meant to solve anyone's personal financial struggles. It's simply meant to be a massive infusion of cash into consumer spending, which is what drives our economy. And I'm not speaking in favor of it. I was quite skeptical about it when it was proposed and still have reservations about it. But this bemoaning that it's not going to solve people's individual long-term financial concerns is rubbish because it is not designed or intended to do such a thing. It's like getting a free sample of frozen eggrolls at Sam's Club and biatching that you'll still have to buy dinner because you aren't full from that. In any case, what you do with your $600 is your own business, but if anyone scoffs at it, that's precisely the kind of attitude that leads some folks into financial problems in the first place.

I'm using my $600 to pay an employee of mine in the Philippines a living wage for two weeks.

/I'm doing it right.
//seriously.
///serious slashies

Or an island off of Fiji, even. It's Sunday and I still haven't had my coffee. Shut up.

For $170 billion we could have built 5 bullet trains in major travel corridors in the US. The money that we would have saved on transportation cost would have been better for us in the long run than a short term stimulus. On the other hand, if you don't like the economic numbers you have seen over the last few months just imagine what they would have looked like without an additional $170 billion in the economy.

The economy is really in the shiatter. Look on the bright side. If things keep going this way the military won't look like such a bad option and our troops might be able to come home and see their families every once in a while.

3_Butt_Cheeks:Javacrucian:What she was saying in no way amounts to "go out and buy earrings".

True, but it does suggest she scoffs at $600 as not being much money.

When put into the context of real economic relief, it isn't, and if you bothered to read what she actually said you'd understand that is exactly the context she had put it in.

If I'm struggling to pay my bills every month, a one-time shot of $600 is nice, but it isn't going to make any kind of difference in anything but the short run.

Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine someone taking a quote out of context to make Barack or his family look bad. I am shocked. Shocked I tell you.

submitter:Michelle Obama asks what can you do with $600 from the government. Her suggestion? Buy earrings

And Laura Bush has declared herself an expert on stem cell research^{(^)}.

Congratulations, subby. You've just figured out that politician's wives sometimes say stupid things.

disapprove

Rodeodoc:She has one of those WWJD bracelets. What would Jackie do?

globalwarmingpraiser:Better to come up with some sort of plan to put more money in peoples pocket while making it easier for businesses to creat jobs hear.

Sending a check to someone doesn't put money in their pocket? I agree the plan was stupid, but in typical Democratic fashion, you can only whine and biatch while not providing an alternate solution. Until you can provide a suitable alternative, STFU. And spend your quiet time learning to spell.

I LOL'd I made pro business comment and you called me a democrat. I was making a subtle comment on tax reform and permanent intelligent tax cuts. I also want to do away with alot of governmental departments.

I bought $600 in lottery tickets! I can't lose!

Woo Hoo!!

maddogdelta:Congratulations, subby. You've just figured out that politician's wives sometimes say stupid things.

True, but taken in context, this statement wasn't even particularly stupid.

Oddly enough, buying earrings is as arbitrary and as "stimulating" to the economy as buying anything else... even though the bulk of the country simply took their $600 and did what they do with all their other money (it all spends on hookers and blow.) Oh yeah, and it doesn't matter how much you think that number represents... the fact that you're all arguing about it, having for the most part received and spent it, means it has done its duty. It has shown that the government cares enough to do something, even if it is (to whomever objects) a meaningless gesture. That's all our politicians wanted... to say they did something.

/So... non-issue much?

Michelle Obama: A one-time $600 check is a joke, a feel-good vote- buying stunt; nothing like a serious effort to get the American economy moving.

Me: She's right.