With each report that another brick has crumbled away from the U.S. economy comes increased pressure on President Barack Obama to get the foundation repaired – with the quickness. Forget that the nation already was facing record job losses, shaky manufacturing and banking industries, unstable Wall Street and rapidly dwindling confidence in the government’s ability to get America back on track. The fact is, the masses voted for hope, and now they’re ready to cash in on their investment … today! Perhaps those most nervous are Democrats. Read more.

South Carolina’s top congressional lawmaker is furious with the governor for rejecting stimulus dollars he says would allow the state to create jobs, increase unemployment benefits and offer tax credits for college tuition. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, vented when he got word that Republican Gov. Mark Sanford rejected the money allocated for his state in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Full Story.

A scaled back version of President Obama’s Recovery and Reinvestment plan is expected to pass in the Senate as early  Monday as it did in the House about a week ago.  Sources say about $780 Billion will be approved.

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D.-Mass), who hasn’t been on the Hill since he collapsed after Pres. Obama’s inauguration, is expected to show up for the vote. Democrats need at least two Republicans to vote on the bill in order for it to pass. This time, though, Pres. Obama is pushing for as many Republican votes and broader agreement on the bill so that he has true bi-partisan support for his agenda. No Republicans voted for the bill in The House.  

Critics say the bill is wasteful and has a lot of spending but not enough of it targeted to initiatives that would jump start the economy. They feel tax cuts would work better and worry about the huge amount of the debt and how it will be a burden to future generations.  

Supporters say just tax cuts won’t drive spending. They believe money allocated in the bill for building projects, computer networks, social programs and improving education in lower income communities will provide jobs and money where they are needed most and get the the middle class and the economy moving again.

Watch The Video: President Obama Speaks Directly to America About His Recovery Plan

Talk About It: Do you think Obama’s stimulus plan will improve your life?

 President-elect Barack Obama is making it clear what his priority is, announcing that he is seeking a whopping $300 million in tax breaks for individuals and businesses. The cuts are aimed at reviving an economy locked in a recession that shows no end in sight. On Monday, Obama began meeting with lawmakers from both parties – including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), as well as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) – to hammer out a plan for delivering a wide-ranging stimulus package. Obama has not officially put a price tag on tax plan, but his advisers have said it could fall between $675 billion and $775 billion; about 40 percent of that would be in tax cuts. Read more here.