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Comments

1. #1
   On December 15th, 2009 at 6:31 am, conservativesRus said:

   Could somebody explain to me why “normal” economics (not government economics) is necessary to incentivize presumably good behavior. If weatherizing a house is good economic sense, wouldn’t people do it anyway? Why should I the taxpayer pay extra to encourage my neighbor to save? How come they don’t pay me for saving all along?
   My next door neighbor leaves every light in their house on 24 hours a day. But yet it’s mandated that I use a more expensive light bulb to save electricity.
   Get the government out of the decision making business.

2. #2
   On December 15th, 2009 at 6:33 am, zorro said:

   Winter is already upon us. It’s kind of late to weatherize now, don’t ya think, Barry?

3. #3
   On December 15th, 2009 at 6:34 am, Danceswithdachshunds said:

   How do you spell the word “Fail”?

4. #4
   On December 15th, 2009 at 7:14 am, Painkiller said:

   I say we give Him the cold shoulder and he can keep the caulk for himself.

   (It’s not your job, Barry.)

   http://danielmcandrew.com

5. #5
   On December 15th, 2009 at 7:15 am, backwoods conservative said:

   Mr. Doerr, who sits on a board of outside economic advisers to Mr. Obama that is working on a formal cash-for-caulkers proposal, told me that his goal was to “keep it really simple so we can do it people can cheat the taxpayers out of money really fast.”

   Fixed.

6. #6
   On December 15th, 2009 at 7:30 am, On-my-soap-box said:

   Auditors found both state and federal officials failed to adequately monitor and inspect work being performed in Illinois

   Illinois. That is in Chicago – right? Home of corruption? Yet another formula for failure. So, what, we get a rebate on a $4 tube of caulk? That should cost tax payers $10 – right?

   Two Three words: Epic failure again

7. #7
   On December 15th, 2009 at 7:31 am, Send_Me said:

   Wasn’t it Bob the Builder who gave Barack Obama his campaign slogan in the first place?
   “Barack Obama! Yes we can!”
   “Can we tax it? Yes we can!”

   But there was already a ton of weatherization funding — $5 billion worth — included in the porkulus bill.

   “Can we spend it? Yes we can!”
   (For those of you who have no clue as to what I’m talking about…)

8. #8
   On December 15th, 2009 at 7:42 am, On-my-soap-box said:

   Send_Me

   I think the best song title to describe this bill is:

   Another on bites the dust.

9. #9
   On December 15th, 2009 at 7:48 am, Buy Danish said:

   The failures jeopardize more than public funds. When OIG staff visited five homes in various stages of weatherization to develop a better understanding of the program, they discovered a gas leak on a newly installed furnace.

   Maybe Barry, Harry, Nancy and B.J. should watch an episode of HGTV’s Renovation realities before they squander billions on this idiotic, potentially life-threatening, program.

10. #10
    On December 15th, 2009 at 8:13 am, rplatt said:

    Will this stupidity ever end?

11. #11
    On December 15th, 2009 at 8:28 am, cicerokid said:

    A “caulker” is Key West Pirate-speak for that last, stiff drink imbibed before the end of the night.

    Before this spending spree is over, we are all gonna need caulkers!

12. #12
    On December 15th, 2009 at 8:29 am, jangar said:

    Will this stupidity ever end?

    Yes, in 2012, if not 2010. Hopefully 2010 will net enough conservatives to spackle Bob the President’s mouth shut.

13. #13
    On December 15th, 2009 at 8:47 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    They must’ve got the Home Depot Discount!

    Better grab all the caulking guns you can before Pelosi starts injecting her face again!

14. #14
    On December 15th, 2009 at 8:48 am, tiredofit08 said:

    hot air is escaping from dear leader’s mouth…quick someone get the duct tape and caulk and seal the leak…

15. #15
    On December 15th, 2009 at 8:50 am, Truesoldier said:

    The Doerr plan would cost $23 billion over two years. Most of the money would go for incentive payments

    Here is a novel idea, why not use the 23 billion for tax cuts to small businesses. You know the people who actually created jobs.

16. #16
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:10 am, Buy Danish said:

    Hey, how about cash for mattresses!:

    In July, U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson, a Lithonia Democrat, and Nathan Deal, a Gainesville Republican, introduced legislation that would give homeowners up to $2,000 in tax breaks for a wide range of home improvement projects, such as updating kitchens or purchasing mattresses, furniture or paint.

    The good news?
    

    That legislation is still pending in a House committee.

17. #17
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:11 am, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah, “Cash for Caulk” That’s a program some of Tiger’s friends can get behind! Did I miss something here??!!!

18. #18
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:29 am, TigerLady said:

    Will this stupidity ever end?
    Yes, in 2012, if not 2010. Hopefully 2010 will net enough conservatives to spackle Bob the President’s mouth shut.

    I think we need a staple gun to make sure the job is done right.

    This stupidity will never end until people stop holding their hands out expecting the government to fill them. Politicians have created a monster with government handouts and we, the people, have been conned into going along with it. Nothing in life is free. Nothing.

    My husband and I winterized our house for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with Barry the Builder Destroyer: to keep warm, to keep our bills in a range we can afford and because we (and not Uncle Sam) own it.

19. #19
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:36 am, b-cat said:

    The president planned to visit a Home Depot store in Northern Virginia on Tuesday to make the case that outfitting houses to be more energy-efficient will create jobs and save families money on their energy bills.

    While it is true that caulking around your windows is a job, it doesn’t pay very well.

    Or is he saying there will be a huge boom at the caulk factory? Either way, it’s stupid.

    Everybody eat toast with jam. It’s tasty and will create jobs.

20. #20
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:39 am, jsr said:

    Remember when the United States government did great things like lead the fight against communism and put men on the moon? Now it has been reduced to trying to get people to caulk their house and turning this country into a giant assisted living care center. If the Dems can’t be ousted by 2012 it won’t be long before our enemies won’t even bother with us and will go look for a more worthy adversary. (This is the liberals way of fighting terrorism.)

21. #21
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:42 am, jangar said:

    outfitting houses to be more energy-efficient will create jobs and save families money on their energy bills.

    Does this mean that ACORN will finally fess up to being in the caulking business? Or are we supposed to hire SEIU to do the job?

22. #22
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:44 am, spaceycakes said:

    Dab a little K-Y on the end of that caulking gun, and it’ll fit nicely where it should go.

    Or not.

23. #23
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am, cheapseat said:

    this is just another reparations payment, after all, the smart and industrious americans recognize the benefit and savings. but slum lords could care less about drafty windows and gaps under doors. so the poor complain and obama the messiah offers gubmint payment for slum lords to do what they are supposed to do with their money, keep their property habitable. ps. in england, the nanny state drives around with thermal imaging vans and ticket people who’s house leaks too much heat.

24. #24
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:50 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:44 am, spaceycakes said:
    Dab a little K-Y on the end of that caulking gun, and it’ll fit nicely where it should go.

    Or not.

    You forgot the warning label about removing any fists first. You know how easily confused they can get.

25. #25
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:50 am, jangar said:

    Somebody tell me how jobs will be created if I go up a ladder and caulk around my windows, etc.

    I’m curious. Or is it I’m supposed to hire the job done by a union worker? Purchase caulking guns from China? I give up.

26. #26
    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:50 am, tre said:

    I’d rather go out and buy myself an AR15 high-capacity assault caulking gun and a snub-nosed .38 special concealable caulking gun.

27. #27
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:04 am, Flyoverman said:

    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:50 am, jangar said:

    Somebody tell me how jobs will be created if I go up a ladder and caulk around my windows, etc.

    8 in total

    5 in the non-union Chinese ladder factory
    2 in the non-union Chinese caulking gun factory
    1 in the non-union Chinese caulking tube plant

    Make sure you hang out the flag when you go up the ladder.

28. #28
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:04 am, happyscrapper said:

    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am, cheapseat said:
    this is just another reparations payment, after all, the smart and industrious americans recognize the benefit and savings. but slum lords could care less about drafty windows and gaps under doors. so the poor complain and obama the messiah offers gubmint payment for slum lords to do what they are supposed to do with their money, keep their property habitable. ps. in england, the nanny state drives around with thermal imaging vans and ticket people who’s house leaks too much heat.

    BINGO!! That is exactly what this is about!! And where is all the stimulous money that hasn’t been spent? I have a feeling that money is earmarked to go to similar reparations, but under the guise of “stimulating jobs”. They will find some way to disguise it as it is spent. These people simply refuse to do it the old “tried and true” way, that is, cut taxes and let the private sector take care of business. That has worked every time in the past. But for some reason, the liberals don’t want to do anything that even hints of a “conservative” plan or principle. These temporary jobs they are “creating” will disappear just as quickly as the idiots in Congress in November 2010. Then maybe we can get back to actually doing something that works!

29. #29
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:06 am, spaceycakes said:

    Rogue Cheddar said: You know how easily confused they can get.

    Apparently. Note the warning labels on milk cartons: “Allergy warning: contains milk”

30. #30
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:06 am, rightisright said:

    Get the government out of the decision making business.

    how about getting giverment out of our lives completely with the rare exception as stated in the Constitution.

31. #31
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:08 am, jangar said:

    Fly -

    Which flag, the red one?

32. #32
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:08 am, spaceycakes said:

    in england, the nanny state drives around with thermal imaging vans and ticket people who’s house leaks too much heat.

    That would be everyone, cheapseat, (except the ‘Windsors’); England used to rule most of the world, but still can’t figure out central heating…

33. #33
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:10 am, jangar said:

    On December 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am, cheapseat said:

    In Obama’s mind, as far as his experience (Chicago), America is a slum.

34. #34
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    After the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 energy scams went wild in this country. Solar water heaters were sold at 3 and 4 times the pre embargo price and installed by people who did not have a clue how to install them. After the different Utility company/government rebate programs they only cost two or three times of the pre embargo cost–usually at a 12-16% rate. If there was never any wind damage/freeze damage or breakdown the people might get their money back in two or three generations. If you have an electric water heater a timer will save you more.

    Caulking windows and replacing weather stripping should be among a homeowners routine duties–renters won’t bother. At home Depot a 17 foot 1/2 X 3/4 foam strip cost $3.49. A twelve pack of silicone caulk is less than $13.00.

    With a Tax credit you can probably do it for less than $500! Toast with jam: priceless.

35. #35
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:12 am, jangar said:

    England used to rule most of the world, but still can’t figure out central heating…

    …Dentistry, National Security, GDP…

36. #36
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am, graysonret said:

    FDR’a economic policies failed, so to “help” the economy today, Congress has decided to expand on those failures on a huge scale. Expect industry takeovers, massive layoffs, and the dollar worth little in the world.

37. #37
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:14 am, Truesoldier said:

    Off topic, but this is just too good to pass up:

    The former vice president said new research showed that the Arctic could be completely ice-free in five years, but the scientist his estimate was based on denies the timeline.

    There are many kinds of truth. Al Gore was hit by an inconvenient one yesterday.

    In his speech, Gore told the conference: “These figures are fresh. Some of the models suggest to Dr. [Wieslav] Maslowski that there is a 75 percent chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during the summer months, could be completely ice-free within five to seven years.”

    However, the climatologist whose work Gore was relying upon dropped the former vice president in the water with an icy blast.

    “It’s unclear to me how this figure was arrived at,” Dr. Maslowski said. “I would never try to estimate likelihood at anything as exact as this.”

    Gore’s office later admitted that the 75 percent figure was one used by Dr. Maslowski as a “ballpark figure” several years ago in a conversation with Gore.

    The embarrassing error cast another shadow over the conference after the controversy over the hacked e-mails from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit, which appeared to suggest that scientists had manipulated data to strengthen their argument that human activities were causing global warming.

38. #38
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:22 am, ITookTheRedPill said:

    On December 15th, 2009 at 7:31 am, Send_Me said:

    Wasn’t it Bob the Builder who gave Barack Obama his campaign slogan in the first place?
    “Barack Obama! Yes we can!”
    “Can we tax it? Yes we can!”

    I’m surprised that Michelle didn’t include “Yes we can!” along with her picture of Bob the Builder.

    But “Yes we can!” actually pre-dates Bob the Builder. Believe it or not, that slogan traces its roots to Alinsky and his followers. And I personally believe that it is no accident that it’s being used in children’s programming. I’ve noticed a lot of “green” and other socialist propaganda in children’s programming. The Socialists want to “get them while they’re young”. Kids who grow up chanting “Yes we can!” are much more likely to grow up into 18 year old voters chanting “Yes we can!”

    “Yes, We Can!” –> “¡Sí se puede!” –> Alinsky Radicals –> Lucifer

39. #39
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:28 am, happyscrapper said:

    In his speech, Gore told the conference: “These figures are fresh. Some of the models suggest to Dr. [Wieslav] Maslowski that there is a 75 percent chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during the summer months, could be completely ice-free within five to seven years.”

    So, he says the “figures are fresh”, and then we find out he got the information in a private conversation several years ago, and the figures are “estimates”. This is the kind of “irrefutable data” that ManBearPig pulls out of his butt on a daily basis. He is a total buffoon. Al Gore has no soul. Look into his eyes (if you dare). There is nothing behind them.

40. #40
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:30 am, jangar said:

    I foresee the “cost of existing” rising to the point where many will be forced into commune-style living to get the most out of food and shelter dollars, if there is any left after taxes.

41. #41
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am, ITookTheRedPill said:

    Obama’s mantra:

    “We inherited this mess. Can we fix it? Yes we can!”

42. #42
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am, jangar said:

    He is a total buffoon. Al Gore has no soul. Look into his eyes…

    …at the back wall of his skull.

43. #43
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:36 am, Roland said:

    The program makes very little sense in terms of homeowners. If it was worth doing, the homeowner would already do it without the program.

    However, for rentals where the tenant pays for the heating, it often might be a ‘good idea.’

    The landlord has little incentive to make the apartment as thoroughly insulated as if he were paying the heating bill, while the tenant isn’t really interested in paying for an improvement where the tenants after him are likely to be getting the most benefit.

    The market ‘fails’ in this case because a new tenant thinking of renting a place isn’t likely to sit down and pencil out just how much he’s losing because the insulation hasn’t been improved since back when energy costs were much less.

    However, the chances a Big New Government Program is going to primarily focus on paying landlords to upgrade the insulation in their rentals is zero.

    That’s politics. And it demonstrates one more time why Big Government is almost always counterproductive for the society at large no matter how nice sounding the Big New Project Big Government proposes.

44. #44
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:45 am, Tazed and Confused said:

    Bring it on. I’ve been trying to insulate myself from the hypocritical spew of Gore and his enviroturds…

    Bend over Al… there’s another orifice that needs caulking.

45. #45
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:46 am, IndyRich said:

    On December 15th, 2009 at 7:30 am, On-my-soap-box said:
    Illinois. That is in Chicago – right?

    Unless my public screw-all education failed me again, I think Chicago is in Illinois – not the other way around…

46. #46
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:52 am, happyscrapper said:

    By the way, the long nightmare is finally over!! The old numbering system is back. Mega thanks!!!

47. #47
    On December 15th, 2009 at 10:58 am, DMJewel said:

    Looks like the Obama admin. has found a new use for “Brown 25″.

48. #48
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:00 am, prendad said:

    On December 15th, 2009 at 8:13 am, rplatt said:
    Will this stupidity ever end?

    Not before somebody bounces this idiot out of office. This is another perfect example of inexperienced juveniles trying to run our country. Can you imagine how happy the home improvement crooks and scammers are to hear about this chunk of cash being handed to them on a platter. I can hear the doorbells and phones ringing now around the country.

49. #49
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:12 am, spaceycakes said:

    DMJewel–Brown 25 from ‘Uranus’, right? LOL–nice ‘Groove Tube’ reference.

50. #50
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:21 am, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah, I guess I’ll move to the north pole where ManBearPig won’t be looking for me and can’t tax me either. The only question is do I take the stone cold corpse of Roald Amundsen on my jet ski with me or take my trusty dog sled team.

51. #51
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:24 am, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah isn’t Chicago the 57th state O visited?

52. #52
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:33 am, SpeakEasy said:

    I guess no one at the White House is smart enough to know that in MOST parts of the country it is too cold to effectively apply caulking. Retards.

53. #53
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:36 am, Truesoldier said:

    Speaking of cash for caulkers, now we have cash for dancers:

    How quickly dreams can become nightmares.

    Just a few days after the engineering team behind the Chevrolet Volt triumphantly rolled out the production version of its much-anticipated car for journalists to test, the folks in marketing followed it up with folk music, break dancing, and what looks like a few rejects from a 1986 high school production of the “Pirates of Penzance”.

    Word that General Motors had commissioned a theme song for the car called “Chevy Volt and Me” first turned up last week on gm-volt.com, an independent blog dedicated to the development of the car.

    With lyrics that include lines such as “what will get us out of first gear? A better EV. Not that that’s a big idea(r)”, the milquetoast tune seemed anathema to the high-tech, next-gen image GM has been crafting for the car up to this point.

    Now there’s the video.

    Although it looks more like a “Saturday Night Live” skit, the dance routine that was performed on the Volt display at the Los Angeles Auto Show is all too real. Captured by a visitor who uploaded the video to YouTube, three females wearing puffy shirts and the aforementioned break dancer, who also plays air guitar, shake just about everything on their bodies for the duration of the song. Often out of sync.

    Now we know what GM is spending the bailout tax dollars on.

54. #54
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:36 am, Regulus said:

    Gives a whole new meaning to “tool time.”

    Thanks, Michelle — I read the post prepared to be upset, but came away laughing instead. Well put.

55. #55
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:39 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    So Mrs. Champ asks what I can do to fix the window. So, I says “Well, first I want to caulk your crack”. Next thing I know The Champ catches me on the chin with an upper-cut…

56. #56
    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:45 am, bookman said:

    The president planned to visit a Home Depot store in Northern Virginia
    Is he taking Biden with him? We all know Joe knows Home Depot…

57. #57
    On December 15th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah if OJo go to Home Depot in VA; hope they take a translator. The Casa El Depots here in the great Peoples Republic of Maryland No habla de english

58. #58
    On December 15th, 2009 at 12:19 pm, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah,
    

    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:39 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Ba Da Bing

59. #59
    On December 15th, 2009 at 12:37 pm, DMJewel said:

    Spaceycakes, Great job picking up the ref. that was worth a chuckle. Guess I gotta get out of bed earlier in the morning for this crowd.

60. #60
    On December 15th, 2009 at 12:47 pm, fulldroolcup said:

    Some 20 years ago, Worcester, Mass instituted a subsidized insulation program. Local contractors cashed in, blowing insulation into the walls of many old homes.

    Trouble is, when some of those homes’ walls were broken open during renovation projects, there was no insulation.

    The companies had simply opened a hole, hooked a hose to it, turned on a compressor that blew nothing but air, and collected their fee from the homeowner and the city.

    Sweet.

61. #61
    On December 15th, 2009 at 1:05 pm, spaceycakes said:

    DMJewel–nah, I’ve just seen a lot of movies, and as I note everyday: I’m old.

62. #62
    On December 15th, 2009 at 1:10 pm, spaceycakes said:

    LOL–’insulation is dead sexy’ spoken like Fat Bastard.

    hahahahah.

    I amuse myself.

63. #63
    On December 15th, 2009 at 1:32 pm, California Red said:

    I am such a fool. I spent $50 on weatherstripping last weekend. I should have waited for the bailout.

    I also pay my mortgage, drive a paid off car, and save for a rainy day.

    We are living in bizzaro world where responsibility is punished.

    PS. Where are the weatherstripping jobs? My six year old and I did that last weekend so maybe that should somehow be reflected in his jobs number.

64. #64
    On December 15th, 2009 at 1:44 pm, Tazed and Confused said:

    Winterization? WHY?

    Global warming will solve the winter problem.

65. #65
    On December 15th, 2009 at 1:53 pm, spaceycakes said:

    Citrus freezes nearly every winter in Florida.

    AlGore; why the long face?

66. #66
    On December 15th, 2009 at 2:10 pm, Buy Danish said:

    Insulation is sexy? Whatever turns you on Bambi. Maybe you should buy Michelle a nice fiberglass nightie for your next date night.

67. #67
    On December 15th, 2009 at 3:00 pm, CO2 Producer said:

    Use Kramp Easy Lube brand vegetable shortening as the organic solution to all your home caulking needs.

68. #68
    On December 15th, 2009 at 3:03 pm, spaceycakes said:

    LOL Co2–the hits just keep on coming.

    Is there a youtube of the VD public service announcement from the same film?

69. #69
    On December 15th, 2009 at 3:04 pm, Regulus said:

    Insulation is sexy? Well then, count me in to save the world with my tire pressure gauge and caulk gun! If I’d have known it was that simple to impress the ladies …. ah, well, “Youth wasted on the young.”

70. #70
    On December 15th, 2009 at 3:05 pm, prendad said:

    Maybe they should mix in some protein and vitamins in with the caulk so that after healthcare is passed and we have no money left to buy food, we can peel it off and eat it.

71. #71
    On December 15th, 2009 at 4:07 pm, DMJewel said:

    Spaceycakes. there are a number of videos from TGT on YouTube but have not found the VD skit yet.

72. #72
    On December 15th, 2009 at 5:22 pm, SpeakEasy said:

    On December 15th, 2009 at 11:45 am, bookman said: The president planned to visit a Home Depot store in Northern Virginia.

    It would be great for someone on camera to ask the Prez if caulk can be installed over snow or at all given the temperatures in Va. (in the mid-40′s)

    From manufacturer:WEATHER-TITETM 100 PREMIUM Siliconized Acrylic Adhesive Caulk, 60-series

    Apply in good weather when air and surface temperature are above 50oF and surface temperature is at least 5oF above the dew point. For optimum application properties, material should be between 70 to 100oF prior to mixing and application.

73. #73
    On December 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm, SpeakEasy said:

    That is 50 degrees, not 500 degrees- the degree symbol does not work with cut and paste.

74. #74
    On December 15th, 2009 at 6:50 pm, wckelly60 said:

    I don’t need President Urkel to tell me whether insulation is sexy.

    Darn it all Obama, stop being a community organizer and TRY to be president!

75. #75
    On December 16th, 2009 at 1:18 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Let it be known, that any Obamabot who seriously considers this boondoggle appropriate of the President, I dub thee caulksucker!

76. #76
    On December 16th, 2009 at 8:28 pm, Elm Creek Smith said:

    I could suggest a place where Da One could put that caulk gun.

    ECS