Meanwhile, in the real world....

House Clears $26.1 Billion State-Aid Package, Dems Slam GOP Obstructionism

The House passed a bill Tuesday afternoon providing $26.1 billion to cash-strapped state governments, and preventing roughly 161,000 teachers and 158,000 public works employees from being laid off. The vote was 247-161.

Democratic leadership has been under tremendous pressure to pass legislation before the start of the school year policy-wise, and before the November elections politics-wise.

"The frustration of course has been that the Republicans have a two-step strategy: First of all, obstruct anything from getting better, and then point out that things aren't getting better," said Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.). "I mean the bill that's being passed today, if it were passed a month ago, we wouldn't have had the job loss report last week and I think they're fine with that."

Technically, the bill provides $10 billion to fund education and $16 billion to fund Medicaid, but states have been expecting to get the federal assistance and a majority have already budgeted for it, meaning that if the funds were blocked, cuts would have to be made elsewhere -- costing the jobs of firefighters, cops and other state employees. The House was already in recess last Thursday when the Senate passed the jobs bill. But lawmakers were more than willing to sacrifice a couple of days at home in their districts to get the bill passed, according to Frank who supports the bill.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/10/house-clears-261-billion_n_677345.html

This is SO MUCH how Obama has piddled away the first 19 months...making silly mistakes, having someone else make mistakes, getting more press on the mistakes than on the accomplishments.

Obama, get yourself a new media relations team, fire them all, they are NOT serving you well.

It's a carny game, and we're all being played.

If it's not this, it's Michelle's trip to Spain or immigrants or race or gay marriage...

Anything to divide people who should be standing together to fend of the destruction of the middle class and help lift others out of poverty.

While we fight amongst ourselves, they are pocketing BILLIONS of dollars and destroying all of the progress that was made to create a more just society.

Because that's American's top priority, huh?

... this is a good thing and credit is due here.

Which at best means they won't possibly be increased despite the huge and ever growing need.

At worst the real cut will take place and we will have made a perverse trade of food for teachers and firefighters being celebrated as some kind of accomplishment. We are talking very basic stuff here got certain, feeding the hungry, educating our young, and caring for sick mothers and children within the context of already existing programs.

Twelve billion in food stamp cuts for ten billion in temporary aid to states and paying the Medicaid tab isn't a victory it is the south end of a stalemate.

Talk about your Pyrrhic victories.

We have to come in for a landing once in awhile :)

Hiring and firing decisions, the budgets for school districts, all these matters have already been decided. For those who have been fired, or simply not hired, this is far too little, too late.

Instead of making this a priority, the Obama administration dangled those RTTT funds before the cash strapped states, making them sign away their soul in order to get much needed money.

It is nothing else but an insult for those in the education field.