(CNN) – Members of President Obama's own political party are charging that the White House and the Democratic Congressional leadership are not doing enough to help the unemployed and are threatening to organize a march on Washington of jobless Americans.
"Obviously there's something that's not getting through to them," said Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Illinois. "And we're going to let the White House and everybody who's concerned know that we have got people in our districts who are depending on us to deliver for them."
Rush and Reps. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, and Candice Miller, R-Michigan, chair the new Congressional "Jobs Now Caucus," which is comprised of 112 Democrats and 17 Republicans.
Rush and Kaptur argue that a new jobs program is more important than health care reform, but stop short of threatening to hold up a vote on one of Obama's most important domestic policy initiatives.
"We're not there yet," Kaptur said.
Some of the proposals being floated by the caucus include: redirecting existing stimulus and TARP money to jobs programs and pressing for a new jobs bill, which they're careful not to call a "stimulus."
More than one member of the caucus told CNN the stimulus was crafted without enough input from lawmakers whose districts suffer from the highest jobless rates.
"I have been very disappointed in the incomplete manner in which the jobs and the economic recession has been dealt with," said Kaptur, who added, "We don't want to be given short shrift."
Rush was more blunt in his demand. "We don't want to be handed a bill and told, 'Alright vote this bill,'" Rush said. "We want to be part of the creation."
The frustration by some Democrats comes as the White House prepares to hold a jobs summit Thursday, which will include CEOs and small business owners among others. And on Wednesday, members of the Congressional Black Caucus sat out a vote on financial reform legislation - important to the White House - to protest what they said is a lack of attention paid to job growth in the African American community. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the new "Jobs Now Caucus" have accused the administration of listening more closely to Wall Street than to Main Street.
The U.S. unemployment rate is at 10.2% but many congressmen believe the true rate is closer to 20% if you include those who have given up looking for work.
Update, 5:32 p.m.:Nadeam Elshami, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, issued this statement:
"We continue to work with all members of the caucus and with the Administration to build on the recovery package and other initiatives to help create jobs and grow our economy after years of mismanagement by the Bush administration."
From CNN Politics
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even Democraps are picking on the community organizer now. lovely.
The White House says the stimilus has provided more than a million jobs, what is the problem?????
This is the reason we do not need escalation in Afghanistan. It takes focus off critical domestic issues like healthcare passage and jobs creation.
We know where the largest problem areas are in Afghanistan and most are on the Afghan-Pakistan border. Why not bomb the border into oblivion, taking out the remaining Al Qaeda camps just on the Pakistan side? We achieve our objective quickly and do not fight a ground war on impossible terrain.
We can then bring all the soldiers home from the failed and fraudulent Bush wars and invest and focus on Americans.
that's what the job summit is for. This guy listens. Complain if you want but before you go too far think about where Pesident McMain and his choice for VP would have us at this point.
Or they could just realize that the government does not create jobs.
Stop spending trillions on stupid stuff.
Why are the Dems acting like the repubs? Whatever business you have with the President keep it within your own circle.
Don't be a Sara Palin and split the party.
Now all of a sudden these idiots are playing nice. they have destroyed this country with their spending and now they want us to believe they are for jobs. What a joke. Vote no to Healthcare Reform , then vote no to Cap and Trade. Then come back and talk to us about jobs!
Washington has to realize there is a major disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street. Unemployment is at an all high, people are losing their homes because of lack of job or a health crisis and we continue to spend money fighting a war we will never win.
President Obama.....please remember the hardworking people who voted for you and need your help NOW.
Dear Leader, I have a small business. Please send me my stimulus money.
The first step for Congress should be fixing the "glitch" caused when they extended benefits for the unemployed , but left the Dec. 31 deadline...leaving more than a million Americans without ability to pay bills on New Year's Day. Elected officials, including "Mr. Boner" of Ohio should lose their jobs and face an inability to pay bills like those who face that dilemma through no fault of their own. At least the elected officials will deserve their firing.
Beware! When democrats complain to dc about lack of jobs, that's a code word for more government spending (i.e., welfare programs).
Of course this is a failure, the Dems rushed the stimulas bill through for their new president as he asked them to. Now look, no new jobs, highest unemploment rate in years, ect ect ect, blah blah blah
We asked them to think this through and not to rush rush rush, but no, we must push this through for our new president because he knows what we all need......................................Sure he knows!
I can't beleive we voted in a community leader to run our once great nation, you dumb asses wanted change, well you and the ones who wanted a leader of change are now going to pay for it for a long time to come.
Health care reform bill that Odumbo wants push through so badly is about to come to a stand still. Why, because even his own kind are starting to see what this dork is all about and it isn't good.
Come on 2010/2012
Obama needs to get a clue. He isn't going to "create" any jobs. He needs to encourage those of us with a business to create jobs. That isn't done by taxing the living crap out of us and putting more financial burden on us or providing us with loans. It's called reduce taxes and encourage business growth. Obama and the Democrats policies are tax and spend and that is hurting business, we cannot afford any more employees. We are scared to commit to anything right now.
Wait a minute. Obama surrendered to the Taliban last night. He can't surrender more than once a week – or perhaps he can....
And what are yiou doing Congressman? Just because your name is Rush, doesn't mean you have to sound like a whiner. Get off your ass and help.
I guess that when every street corner in America had a Starbucks or McDonald's nobody cared about rebuilding the bridges and roads of this country. I am quite sure that all you hypocrites stuff enough "pork" into spending bills that even Thanksgiving holidays could quench your thirst. Instead of looking to Washington to solve your employments problems why don't you look at yourself you "career" politician.
its jobs ,,,,,, dummies,, its jobs... i hope all you jerk are looking for them next elections
The best program anyone can be on is having a job. The best way to do that is to level the playing field. Every country on Earth wants access to our market so why don't we use that leverage to force up wages in other countries? That way our citizens could compete on a playing field that is more level. We own the marketplace. Why are we afraid to use that leverage?
What are you guys doing in your own STATES to help the situation you all are complaining about? Don't you stupid DEMS sit there and try to threaten the President(who is in your own party), Have some RESPECT!
HAVE SOME PATIENCE!!!!!!
Bailing out Unions isn't the answer. Obama knows nothing about real jobs and small businesses, He's a typical democrat that thinks business is evil and should be taxed out of the park. That won't create jobs, it will just send more over seas. Don't need a degree to figure that out.
Let's not forget there has never been any love lost between Bobby Rush and President Obama. While I agree the country's high unemployment is really bad (particularly with people of color.) but I don't believe Rush's motives are exactly pure.
Talk to me when the leader of this "March" is someone without an ax to grind against the President.
Jobs jobs jobs!!! The government can't create jobs. Just as they can't create a Utopia of pretty unicorns.
Working citizens is against the most basic principlles of the democratic party. Working people do not need government assistance and without people needing the government they (all politcians ) would be unemployeed.
Interesting! Even his own party is not happy with him!
I'm sure ALL democrats can remember when Obama, during his campaign, stated there would be NO lobbyists in his White House!
Go count them!
Jobs! What jobs? They have not created any jobs, nor should they. Government created jobs are not job creation, if tax payers are paying for it, it isn't a job. Jobs can only be created by private sector, businesses small and large. Evil businesses that provide jobs, tax payers and pay taxes. You fools who think business is so terrible, who do you think pays your wages, if you work!
Jobless claims are down. People to need to be patient. As the president said and what I always believed is that things were going to get worse before they got better. According to CNNMoney, you should be optimistic in the first quarter of 2010.
DEMS don't know how to stick together on ANYTHING. Thats why republicans have their way whether they are in power or not. You democrats are pathetic and weak minded and never ever get the bigger picture!!!!!
chair the new Congressional "Jobs Now Caucus," which is comprised of 112 Democrats and 17 Republicans.
Notice how few republicans are ACTUALLY concerned about jobs? Only 17? What a pathetic lot of do nothings for american. They are probably too busy exporting jobs to china and shutting down plants in the USA, like McCain.
Republicans are all talk no action. They never have and never WILL be concerned with unemployment, as the numbers CLEARLY show they refuse to step up to the plate when it's time to actually DO SOMETHING other then complain.
finally, DC folks who dare call out Obama.
the majority fo American's want jobs -
not welfare, food stamps or housing assistance.
but JOBS
not rewriting the healthcare industry.
but JOBS
not cap & tax to pay for global warming haoxes
but JOBS
not more, 'fees', subsidies, higher taxes, 'service charges', etc.
but JOBS
govt needs to lower taxes and STOP SPENDING.
what happened to that "I'll veto any bill with earmarks" ??
JOBS
JOBS
JOBS
We can still blame Bush and 30 years of Reagan.
This New Jersian needs a job. I am glad they are sticking up for people like me who to no avail voted for a man who gave wall street everything but the kitchen sink and the rest of us with the bill to pay for it
Jobs are indeed of utmost importance.... but is sounds like weak-kneed Democrats are jumping ship to advance re-election prospects. President Obama needs support from his party (a lesson they might take from the Republicans – stick together). The President has a jobs summit scheduled and it is preliminary for fellow Democrats to criticize before this event and its recommendations. Methinks they feel a need to distance themselves from what has been a horribly frustrating first year for the President (through no fault of his own).
HANG TOGETHER AND SUPPORT YOUR LEADER – YOUR PRESIDENT – YOUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF!!!!!!
Sorry Dems, too little too late. Tea Parties have marched and will march again and you cannot steal their activists. But, I am loving the infighting!!
where was the congressional party win Geitface gave the banks what they wanted including 2009 bonuses and the unemployment rate kept on climbing, especially for minorites!! Its a little to late - we the people have been hoodwinked!
Sir with all due respect, our President inherited the worse economy since the Great Depression and from the previous administration. The economy was on the brink of a collaspe. He passed a stimulus package of 700 million dollars that went to different states throughout our county. Even Sarah state, who happened to quit on her people in the middle of her term! Anyway sir, He has stabilized jobs and he is darn show trying to pass Healthcare reform. Sir I have one question for you, "if he hadn't pass the stimulus where do you think the country will be and if he just simply did nothing?" Have patience things don't happen over night. It took awhile to get in this mess and it will vice versa. Have a nice day!
The unemployed need jobs, real ones, not government make-work. But the private sector isn't about to do a lot of hiring as long as they don't know how badly they're going to be slammed by the Democrat's taxes or the costs to them of the Democrat's proposed health care entitlement program.
If Congress is serious about "helping the unemployed," they'll get government out of the way and quit sucking up, or threatening to suck up, every dime they can lay their grubby hands on.
obviously those Democrats have not gotten the memo yet that reads..."Ordinary people without jobs don't count!"
health care reform will create jobs – hello! rush and the others have no ideas just like to hear themselves talk.
Here's a solution that I can't believe a Democrat has not proposed yet. Take the remaining $400 billion of Porkulous money that hasn't been spent yet. For $50,000 per year per worker, hire the unemployed to dig holes, then fill them in again. Presto – 8 million new jobs.
In a nation where the infrastructures, from roads to bridges to tunnels to rail lines to the power grid, are crumbling and in many cases on the verge of collapse, much more should have been done in the TARP program to facilitate repair, replacement and upgrades. The creation of what would have likely been millions of jobs would have benefited all businesses and industries either directly or indirectly. But taxpayers, and even those middle class who pay no taxes because of deductions, are averse to paying for such things. It's biting off the nose to spite the face. Eventually there will be enough catastrophes to wake up the politicians to the fact that you cannot ignore infrastructure for decades and expect everything will be just hunky dory.
Want to know why CNN is in the ratings cellar? Because they report on quickly-forgotten stories like this, while ignoring vastly more important stories like the current "climategate" news revealing more FRAUD by the corrupt so-called climate "scientists."
Tell Obama there will be an awesome photo shoot ...then he might listen..doubtful ...he is the worst preesident EVER!!!
What good of a job if a person to sick to work. Futher more president doesn^t hire people business does. Enough said.
Something odd just occurred to me. Despite all of this noise about unemployment and people saying the true rate is closer to 20%, I dont know a single person who is unemployed right now. Not one. There were a few, but they have all recently found jobs. My work was slow for a while, but now we have several projects starting and several others lined up to follow. I was called last week by a recruiter, so someone out there is hiring. I'm tending to believe them more and more when they say that businesses need to recover before jobs come back again. And all signs say businesses have started to recover. Which should mean, with a little patience, the jobs are on the way. Maybe there is more that could be done. But I also think you need to give the money time to work, because it appears that it is.
Just because people get elected as Democrats doesn't mean that they are mindless one steppers as the Republicans have come to represent, the natural ebb and flow of debate should more often divide than aggregate a large group of people that are elected to understand the role that Government needs to play in the current situation.
Yea, it is a little uglier, but debate is non partisan unless you are an ideolog that decides it is easier to give the same answers rather than listen to the question.
Is it Dems's turn to eat each other libs??????
So even the Democrats can't maintain the scam they pulled off with their "Stimulus Package"! Can somebody PLEASE replay all the urgent pleas of the Democrats and Obama to spend $800 BILLION of borrowed money else the sky would fall and employment go above 8%??!! They KNEW all that money was a laundry list of their pet projects and had NOTHING to do with creating jobs. They LIED to the American people and now have been caught in their lies. An their fix is.....drum roll please..... SPEND MORE MONEY WE DON'T HAVE!
But now these absolute imbeciles realize everything they have been doing creates an atmoshere that is NON-JOB CREATING. They have demonized every business in sight and proposed new tax after new tax. What business in their right mind would hire new people in this toxic business climate?! I know I wouldn't!
All of these liars and cheats better have a backup job plan because they are GONE in 2010 and 2012.
Right, because Bobby Rush is where I'd go to for a clear-headed critique of President Obama. He's had a chip on his shoulder since Obama primaried him 2000.
the Dems need to get over it and give the President a chance – he needs our support
grow up
My goodness. See, this is why socialist thinking doesn't work. They are expecting the government to do everything for them. What can Obama do to help dependent people, except make them more dependent? This quote says it all from above:
"...everybody who's concerned know that we have got people in our districts who are depending on us to deliver for them."
Tell your people in your district to stop depending on you. That's a start. Government can help spur the economy when needed, but how many times do they have to let us down before we stop reaching for their hand for help?
I am unemployed/underemployed and i appreciate the Jobs Now Caucus directing attention to job creation in this country. However, i do think that healthcare reform could create more jobs and more importantly is long overdue. Don't see why we can't do both. I also don't think the gov't can solve this problem with a bill. Corporate greed has made companies mad. For so long greed was encouraged and promoted by our gov't–Reagan and the Bushes. We have to face facts that corproations don't care about us. They only care about profits. American workers are now being treated like American corporations have treated workers around the globe for decades. This is THE NEW WORLD ORDER.
I've seen that Rush guy speak on tv, I bet he can't even spell jobs, how do such dumb people get elected?
Too little, too late. I am looking forward to the next round of elections – or more to the point – the primaries. I am voting out my incumbent's – and if they win the primaries, crossing party lines during the general election.
Florida will be:
Meek-less in 2010
Nelson-free in 2012
NO KIDDING... The Dems on Capital HIll are finally calling the EMPTY SUIT out...
Barack does not have any idea how to fix the economy.
He can not blame President Bush ANY longer.
He has to take responsiblity.
He is spending money like a drunken sailor and there are NO knew jobs. Period. There is still 10.2%+ unemployment.
VOTE NO on the Healh Care Bill.....THIS will only raise cost and taxes.
VOTE NO on the Cap and Trade Bill ... AL GORE IS A LIAR
TRY CREATING Jobs instead of giving out welfare checks and unemployment checks.... STOP SPENDING MONEY.
STop spending on Illegals.
These people have nothing else better to do . First of all doing then Canindate Obama told eveyone that things are not going to be easy . That it will take 2 yrs before he can turn the economy around . What people don't listen ,this is not the time for Bobby Rush to be Grand Standing. Everyone once to be famous this not the time ,their to many things in the world for one man to correct .What is Bobby Rush doing for his district trying to bring companies in his area.. He needs to go somewhere and sit down .
now it was my understanding that the Obama stimulus was going to solve this employment problem.........another empty promise from an empty suit??
Let's be honest on a few things here:
(1) Congress should not be creating jobs for us by creating more rules and regulations. Instead it should be legislating away these roadblocks to make for a better playing field for entrepreneurs to play in.
(2) Congress has no intention of passing a health care bill. Either special interests (once again) got to Congress or they realize if they make radical changes that create larger deficits, those who initiated the bill (see Democats) will never be elected again to public office.
I think if Congress started to bluntly lay out these assessments, their approval rating would go up...but only a bit.
Here's an idea Mr. Rush and Ms. Kaptur... why don't you guys put your heads together, come up some solid legislation, get it thru the house and senate and then on to Mr. Obama's desk to sign or veto! WOW. I don't think I'd wait for the low fuel light to come on in my car before I pulled over and got gas. Don't wait till unemplyment gets to 15% to take action. Make a difference... do something!!
It's George W. and his Republicans thugs that put us where we're at today. Hopefully, President Obama can clean up yet another mess he inherited.
stop work on Obamacare,
get out of Afghanistan......
Start working on JOBS.......
The Democrats are going to get clobbered in 2010-–this is based on NUMEROUS national polls.
EVERYTHING that the majority in the country have said that they do NOT want-–health care disaster, cap and tax energy bill, terrorists brought to the US for civil court on US soil instead of military court, closing of Gitmo, amnesty for illegals---the Democrats continue to try to shove down our throats anyways!!
And, on top of this-–a 10.2% unemployment rate!!!
Based on numerous recent polls-–the Independents plan on voting for the Republicans in 2010 by 52% to 30%--you do NOT win elections without the Independents!!!
It is going to be funny watching the pro-Obama main stream media with the shock/puzzled look on their faces after the 2010 elections--when MANY Democrats are sent to the unemployment lines!!!
...the way the media portrays it the Right is the only party with rifts..sort of funny to watch the beggars and unskilled of the Left demand more Obama money...don't they know that he only buys votes at election time?...except for the gifts to the unions with tax payer money..how's that CEO of GM working out..oops...more wasted money..now let's go screw up healh care reform...unbelievable what happens when you give the keys to an inexperienced con-man
Funny ... he says "Something's obviously not getting through to *them* ..."
Isn't HE one of THEM? C'mon! What are you doing to help out your own constituents? On the surface, it seems like you and all the other Reps who are complaining are just sitting back and waiting for O to waive some magic wand which he's never purported to possess.
Tax credits for job creation? Is that what the bill would propose?
Stimulus money for Greentech manufacturers?
DID YOU WATCH OUR SOCIALIST CONGRESS WITH BARNEY FRANK TODAY>>>>>....
THEY PASSED A BILL where they can shut down companies.
They can shut down private industry.
They can invade private industry.
They can take money from one business to put into another business.
THIS IS ILLEGAL and AGAINST the US CONSTITUTION.
WE DO NOT NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM FAILING BUSINESS.
WE NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM OUR OWN GOVERMENT.
This is totally illegal.
OUR congress is out of control.
They are trying to take over the whole financial sector.
Finally, some representatives get it. We don't care about gays getting married, what fox or the radio is saying, we care about getting people back to work so they can provide for their families. That is our biggest concern. Everything else is secondary. As soon as you get people working again, then we can discuss killing babies and Sarah Palin. If liberals worried about getting jobs as much as they doing hating conservatives, they might be able to do something constructive with their power.
Oh yeah, blame Obama. He is obviously sitting on a huge pile of $$ and can wave a magic wand over any problem and fix it. You can tell that simply by looking at all the other problems he has fixed since coming to office. Congress is the problem here, not the President. Bush had the same problems with the lame Dems in Congress so why should anyone care about what a bunch of ineffective Dems have to say.
Voters need to impose term limits by voting out EVERYONE in the Senate and the House in the next election cycles (Senate will take longer since they are not all up at the same time). If the Congress realizes that we want action on things then they may actually do something while in Washington.
I strongly believe that some of these Democrats need to be voted out of office. After years in the minority they do not seem to know how to act like a majority group. With the Republicans there's no question of allegiance to an idea but with Democrats they're all over the place trying to outdo each other with sound bites. If they lose the majority in the House and Senate they have no one to blame but themselves.
Wow, you know unemployment is bad when your own party is plotting to do a march in protest for the lack of jobs created by the Obama Administration. Hopefully, more people begin to see the light and realize Obama isn't bring change or hope.
What all three fail to mention is that their biggest campaign contributors are labor unions. One can be sure that the jobs they are most concerned with are jobs that will benefit those unions. Healthcare has been left by the wayside for years and its time to reform the way we manage our healthcare resources.
Why don't Rep. Rush and his friends DO SOMETHING? They're the law,makers, rule makers, and the money guys! To blame Obama's staff personally sounds like he is passing the buck.
I'm not saying that when a citizens blames the administration they are wrong, but when its one of the guys with the purse strings and the means to do something... the blame stops with him
RUSH- send Obama an idea for hime to sign, then he wil have done something!
And how, exactly, are all these unemployed people going to afford a trip to Washington?
More than one member of the caucus told CNN the stimulus was crafted without enough input from lawmakers whose districts suffer from the highest jobless rates.
____________________________________________________
That's because in spite of what was claimed by Nancy, Harry, Barry and Joe, the Stimulus bill was not about jobs. It was about raiding the US Treasury for pet spending projects. It was about paying back supporters for the 2008 election. That's why it has had no impact on unemployment.
Um, little problem with **creating** jobs, folks. Unless it is a government run job program, Mr. Obama hasn't much pull. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't government involvement in big business a big no-no where Congress is concerned?
How about if Congress takes the peoples concerns to their caucus members, you know, the ones who support big business and have been extremely quiet as business after business refuses to rehire, even while these businesses continue racking in billions in profits.
Or better yet, Congress would serve it's people by, well, **encouraging** big business to start hiring again...
Yelling and finger pointing at the president isn't going to accomplish much. He hasn't the authority to start businesses on behalf of anyone.
Sounds to me like these folks haven't read the CBO report on the stimulus and it's impact on job creation.
Lying about job creation isn't helping...
What? He just created 30,000 more long term jobs in Afghanistan!
Progressives across the blogosphere are also beginning to sound the alarms about the White House and the Democratic Congressional leadership not doing enough to help the unemployed.
Arianna Huffington has been writing about it at HuffingtonPost and talking about it in appearances on tv, warning the Democrats that this will be a key issue in 2010.
The problems created by recession very much need more attention from leaders in Washington, DC.
They are to worried about jamming their gov't ran health care through.
go ahead dude, obama and this congress dont get it anyway............
they scamed the tax payer already, this will come back to bite them i think..............
for every problem government tries to solve they create another two............
dont bother with obama............join the other losers and blame bush
this admin and congressare like every other one.....they will never take responsibility for what they have done or will do
blame bush is ok i guess because its all about the votes during the other 51 weeks a year they are not phuh-king over america
vote these stupids out america...........are we that dumb not to
enough with the liberial stuff...........enough
especially the speaker of the house, she is one useless beaver
And you Dems will get the same response as the cons, it has only been 11 months, you do not clean up a dung heap 8 years in the making, in 11 months.
Work with President NOT against him and be more patient!
He is just a man not a magician.
I find it awful ironic that these weak kneed Democrats never brought any of these problems (the economy, the banks, health insurance, etc) or anything of importance up when Bush was in office. Now that Obama has inherited what he termed "a mess" (putting it nicely), they want to buck. I say let's get rid of all of these old geezers serving nobody but their own interests. I'm about sick of them. They can't do nothing right. What the heck are they there for!
This is not an easy issue for everyone.
While I don't envy our President, I'm sure grateful he's at the helm instead of that dynamic duo: "Brain-dead and Psychopath" that got us in this mess in the first place.
That said, when I was out of work for 1.5 years, the most damaging PERMANENT effect on me was the damage to my heart that happened because I couldn't afford healthcare and stopped taking medications. So, I'm in the camp that says – Health Care MUST happen at any cost.
Honeymoon's over.
Well next time you vote for a stimulas plan why don't you make sure it is a stimulas plan instead of a give away before you vote; instead of giving our money away and then complaining that it did not work. Here is an idea, READ IT FIRST.
It seems everybody wants a piece of our new President. Unfortunately, everything is a priority. He promised healthcare reform and "everybody" said he had to deliver! He "had" to make a decision on Afganistan. I am sure he knows that he needs to work on the joblessness sitution. Give the guy a chance. It has been one crisis after another since the election. His detractors have been vitriolic in their criticism and even his supporters want everything accomplished yesterday. The world is not a simple place today. I feel for the man.
nobama does not care at all about jobs, he only cares about turning this country into another Cuba. That is why he is trying to spend every dollar he can confiscate from the American people.
Ummm... jobs are leaving because of the spiraling costs of health care... or at least going down south were companies can treat there hillbilly employees like illegals and pay them next to nothing... and does anyone realize that private industry wastes more money than the government in comparison... With the government, at least we can track it and hold it accountable...
Might have been useful to point out to your readers (both because it is relevant and simply interesting) that Rep. Bobby Rush once ran in an election against Barack Obama (for Rush's seat in the House) and defeated him back in 2000, which I'm pretty sure is still Obama's only electoral defeat to date. Background information! It's a good thing to include in news stories.
clowns like this on the dole all their lives don't realize that economic
prosperity does not come from government jobs – that's taking money out of one pocket and putting it in another. we need to stop the drain of manufacturing, etc. jobs from here to china et al. Adidas: going overseas and a new your factory employing about 100 people will shut down. bottom line economics is bad for america when big business ignores its social responsibility.
I know someone who was happy to get fired recently so she could go on unemployment. Thanks Congress for already making unemployment so appealing some people don't want a job until their benefits run out... which won't be happening soon with all the handouts.
LIMIT ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM NOW.
Is there any way you Democrats can present a united front? Really. When the Republicans ran things, they did just that, ran them...down everyone's throats and they stuck together in doing it. They are sticking together now as the party of NO and you Democrats come out swing against your President...sorry bunch of politicians. Learn how to stick together and get your programs through. Our President wants new jobs...work with him and not against him...Give good ideas, not threats. STICK TOGETHER or ALL of you will go home!!!! Sorry bunch of Democrats...no backbone.....sorry, just sorry!
To me it sounds like a bunch of politicians worried about their own jobs. The platform on which their opposition will be running will be about job creation. They need to give a perception that they're fighting for jobs in their communities.
When are people and their Congressmen going to get off their backsides and quit asking for a handout. We are in the mess because of a Congress that was asleep at the switch, a President and Vice President that were driven by greed and a desire for evermore power and control, and a general population that could not manage its own spending....gimmee, gimmee, gimmee is all people seem to know. If somebody doesn't have a job to hire you then make your own job. I have been out of work a few times in the past 50 years and I just started a company, or drove a cab.........whatever. Stop whining and get to work. This country was made by people that made their own way in life....not by people with their hand out to Government.
Whats wrong Bobby Rush, did that stimulus program not create an overwhelming amount of jobs for your constituents???
I think most middle class Americans, and especially progressives are wondering why all of the stimulus money went to Wall Street Bankers instead of into rebuilding our infrastructure and thus increasing jobs. The main reason I voted for Obama was that I thought we was going to propose a New Deal, WPA, CCC, type of program to put the unemployed back to work. Instead all of the money went to Geithner's buddies.
How about if we bring the jobs BACK FROM CHINA, INDIA, AND MEXICO. Obama did not send the jobs out of the country. Ask the people who DID to get them back!!!!!!
The Democrats in Congress better worry about themselves. Obama is more popular than they are. And if there's anything wrong with America right now, the Democrats in Congress are the only ones who can fix it. The President just has veto power.
These people in Washington DC better quit thinking we're stupid or that we aren't watching what they do.
Here's a clue people: you have elected a leader who is unqualified and does not know how to fix the problem. And he does not care if you are unemployed...he cares only for his own agenda, including pushing through health care reform. You got what you voted for...
Yeah let's hand the Republicans more stuff they can use to defeat Democrats. Oh wait we're Democrats. Kind of stupid right?
And exactly what are these Congressmen/women doing to create jobs? or are they waiting on Obama to do it for them? they are responsible for their constituents just as much (if not moreso) than Obama is...so if he isn't doing nothing, they are doing even less...
Let me guess... lack of government regulation tanks our economy... now republicans want government intervention to create jobs... I bet conservatives are constantly dizzy from talking themselves in circles... hypocrites!
I have been unemployed since Sept 2008. I have Masters degree and have some certifications in IT. I am not getting any response. My Unemployment runs out in 4 months. Please President OBAMA, HELP US.
Let's try to fix everything all at once. Let's not focus energy on an issue until it is done.
I don't think any politician has room to throw stones in their glass houses.
Our workers have knowledge and standards which the countries
that are making our products do not, quality is at the bottom of the
list now for five years.
Every President who faced the challenge as Obama is, sent the immigrants and illegal aliens back for one good reason!,
American's at home and coming home from War could find a job,
Bush and Obama did not do this and the American people are living
in a nightmare still with no hope in sight.
America is going backwards in ten year hops every year since Reagan, with priority given to immigrants and illegal aliens who have proven that won't go by our laws and they don't is keep America down.
Should be a good turn out... work shouldn't factor into it.
Is it the President's job to create jobs or businesses. Large or small corporations are not creating jobs, whose shoulders does this fall on?
All the first money should have been to repair the infrastructure in the first place.
Why give tax cuts to the working instead of jobs to the unemployed. Those already working do not need a tax cut, but the unemployed sure need a job.
Republicans only know two words and that is tax cuts, they are so darn greedy they want a little more and still sell their souls to the lobbyists for more money asking for more tax cuts.
Jobs? Just more campaign rhetoric. Vote for me and I'll give you jobs, money, what ever you want. Just be sure you vote and as soon as possible, after all my buddies have been rewarded, you will get, for free, all your hearts desires.
I agree that more attention needs to be paid to jobs. We are a country that has an economy that is over 60% supported by consumer spending. When more and more people do not have jobs it impedes on consumer spending, which in effect hurts the economy. People lose homes and some become homeless, which hurts the banks, and people can not take care of their children, which hurts our future. Then you get reports that less layoffs are happening, which does not account for the fact that you have a real unemployment rate that exceeds 10.2%. Remember, the unemployment rate only accounts for people receiving an unemployment check. It does not count people who do not receive a check anymore. I applaud trying to end this war as quickly as possible, because he said that the money paid for this war is taking away from our ability to create jobs, fund health care reform, or do anything else we need to do to rebuild our own nation.
More than one member of the caucus told CNN the stimulus was crafted without enough input from lawmakers whose districts suffer from the highest jobless rates
There will be no complaining about the (bend over this wont hurt a bit package) . Just more proof these IDIOT'S are clueless. Don't u get it ? B.O does not care about job's as long as his friend's have one and his party get's there Billions from the (bend over package ) HE DOES NOT CARE. Period. This job's summit is another one of his (let's look like we care and know what were doing moment's. This guy really is scary.
I think everyone is putting too much baggage on obama that was created by their own negligent in the first place. This is everyone’s responsibility as it is his. And everyone should put their hands on it. The war, employment and healthcare he can’t fix this over night this things takes time. Where were the democrats when bush broke this country one by one? Now they want obama to do everything while they stand on side line with no kind of loud support. I don’t hear anything from them. I never seen anything like this before from media to Politician and the world is asking him to create a miracles he is only one man for god sake.
Since we are unemployed, who is going to pay for us to have a trip to Washington to march? Can this be done on one of Obama's celebrity entertainment nights so we might get some scraps of that $100.00 dollar a pound kobe steak out of the Whitehouse dumpster? Thanks for the job I don't have Prez..
When will these people learn that Government can not create jobs.
Democrats in Congress have a tremendous amount of nerve trying to blame Obama for not doing enough about UNEMPLOYMENT. The blame for 10.2% UNEMPLOYMENT needs to be shared equally between the Democrats in Congress and Obama. They all rushed to pass the corrupt stimulous bill that was loaded with special interest paybacks and nothing for the American people. They were warned that it would be a disaster, but decided that massive corrupt spending by the Government was the answer. WRONG! Now their answer is more massive corrupt spending. They never learn!!!
How many American jobs has Obama sent to China, Mexico, and India. It's the greedy CEOs.
I agree. Where's the jobs Obummie? Your stimulus bill is a joke. Your health care bill and cap and trade bill also kill jobs. The black caucus has even turned against you. My hope that you can get anything done is nil.
Obama's own base is even turning on him over lack of jobs. One might ask though, how did those now turing on the failed stimulus vote in the first place. Republicans said the stimulus would not work and voted against it. If some Dems had voted against it also, it might have been defeated and a good bill created in its place. Too late now.
obamma did promise to keep unemplyment at 8.7%...
Everyone is going to have to be way more patient than this. Jobs are not just going to magically pop up after just 9 months of Obama's presidency, after 8 yrs of an economic downturn! NO ONE can make this happen any faster! That's just not the way it works. BE PATIENT PEOPLE and give our President a chance to fix what the Bush Administration so conveniently left behind!
IT TOOK US 8 LOOOONG YEARS TO GET INTO THIS MESS! I think we need to be more patient and allow President Obama time to reverse the Bush Administration damages.
Is Rush throwing his hat in the ring next (for 2012)?
Progressives across the blogosphere are also beginning to sound the alarms about the White House and the Democratic Congressional leadership not doing enough to help the unemployed.
Arianna Huffington has been writing about it at HuffPost and talking about it in appearances on tv, warning the Democrats that this will be a key issue in 2010.
The problems created by recession very much need more attention from leaders in Washington, DC.
Only 17 republicans care enough to be on the committee? Just more proof that republicans really don't care. They are nothing but talk, but when action is needed, as usual they are MIA.
President Obama needs everyone to stop playing political games here so they sound good back home. The President has said this recovery will take time as he brought us back from the brink of financial disaster. Things are slowly picking up-which means the jobs are coming too. The President needs our continued support as he tires to right so very, very many wrongs which have left us in an economic disaster and seen as ruthless around the world. I support the President and trust his decisions.
All we need do is add the unemployed to the ranks of those who
don't want to work. You know, include them in with the Democrats.
Oh yes, I forgot...know what I'm sayin'?
What honeymoon? 2 wars, huge deficit, Wall Street had taken over the government (it is still way too prevalent) and you want promises about unemployment.
This is a time that jobs are created, not found, structural downturns are like that everytime because what you used to do isn't worth as much.
The US is still the largest manufacturer, has the strongest innovation system in the public-private partnership of universities and industries.
Obama is smart enough to unwind the wars, the American people need to get off of their over fed asses and make it happen.
Rather than put the blame on Obama, why not put the blame for our loss of jobs where it belongs....on the large corporations that put profit first by outsourcing jobs to other countries.
People need to understand that Government can not create jobs.
It is the private sector/business that create jobs. Stop playing the blame game!
Why is everything framed as if it has to be either or? Like here in this article, where Rush and Kaptur state that "a new jobs program is more important than health care reform". What does health care reform have to do with it? Both are important, so how about not trying to bash one project just to boost your own project?
Government waste, that's all it is.
Where's the jobs! Ask the past presidents that dug this country in this hole!!! The corruption of the greed, your days are number.
I am glad that Democrats are calling attention to the main issue right now-Jobs, full employment. They are reminding Obama of the imperative of putting people back to work!! This will revive the economy. The stimulus strategy should be jobs, jobs and more jobs!!
It is not giving stimulus money to corporations. President Obama should be reminded of who his constituents are and how he got elected. I say that if the economy does not turn around next year, the Democrats will lose their majority and will be out of power. The Democrats have awoken to this fact, I hope that Obama does likewise.
Don't you people get it? Obama cannot create jobs, he doesn't own a business. Obamas policies can lead to job creation. Democrats policies on the table include tax increases on businesses both small and large and are continuing to add new burden to employers, like forcing health care coverage..............all this kills jobs and sends more companies over seas. You want jobs, encourage businesses to grow and hire and stay in our country. Tax decreases for small business give us more operating capital. We don't need a loan we need business. It's not rocket science folks, simple common sense, which is what the Democrats are lacking. It is a well known fact the Democrats are NOT business friendly. Unions only destroy business and that's all Obama understands is Union bailouts.
The thousands of car dealership jobs that were "saved" weren't enough?
Just call it like it was, just another name for Welfare.
Short term "fix" for a long term problem.
When is the last time the US was an INNOVATION LEADER in any industry? Heck China is going to surpass our bloated space program in 4 – 5 years.
Yes, I agree our President needs to focus on jobs first and health care second but I have full confidence that our President will fix the mess he was left with. The Republicans have definately shown that they can put us into a mess but have not proven to get us out of them (so they really need to stop complaining).
But oh yeah, the Republicans care about American jobs. Oh, that's right under Republican rule, we had millions of American jobs outsourced to China and other countries. But yes, Republicans, keep on pretending you care.
Don't blame government for joblessness, blame the corporations. Blame the government for continuing to extend unemployment benefits and welfare...sure – but not for lost jobs. Cut CEO pay, break up the giant monopolies and eliminate the outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries and we'll have one of the greatest job recoveries of all time.
Jobs are indeed of utmost importance...but it sounds like weak-kneed Democrats are jumping ship to advance re-election prospects. President Obama needs support from his party (a lesson they might take from Republicans – stick together). The President has a Jobs Summit scheduled and it is preliminary for fellow Democrats to criticize before this event and its eventual recommendations. Methinks they feel a need to distance themselves from what has been a horrible, orchestrated and frustrating first year for the President (through no fault of his own).
Hang together Democrats and support your Leader – Your Presiddent and Your Commander in Chief!!!!!
I am in complete support of a march of the unemployed on Washington DC. Tell me when it will take place – I will be there. The message needs to be brought home to the people who are supposed to be solving the problem, i.e. the Washington politicians. The message needs to be brought home to the world. The United States economy is non-existant because without jobs we have no consumption and without consumption we have no economy.
Being unemployed is devastating. Believe me, I understand that perfectly. However, there are some posters on this blog who sound as if President Obama is personally responsible for getting them a job. Whether you like him or not, he is the U.S. President not a Human Resources Director. For those who complain, I always wonder if they have done everything they can to make themselves employable or is the time being spent complaining about the President. Complaining is only appropriate if you're doing everything you can. If someone has been doing the same type of work for 10, 20, 30 years and lost their job, then it might mean opening up to the possibility of doing something else. If you can’t get a job in same field that you had, then look at what other skills you might have that can be used to start your own business or do some other type of work. As far as I know, “complaining and whining” are not marketable skills. President Obama can’t do anything about personal responsibility or personal motivation.
Those who sat silently for the past 8 years, or actually supported the devastation by the Bush Administration, suddenly expect the damage to be reverse in a matter of months? I'm sure the President knew that there would be impatience and criticism. Perhaps if people had been less fearful and tolerant for the past 8 years we wouldn't be in the mess we're in right now.
Welcome to America, where we want it all, we want it now,and we want it for free!!!............Send us your sick, tired, poor and oppressed.......And we'll do everything we can to make sure they stay that way!!.......Once again............Welcome to America, enjoy your stay.
FINALLY a Democrat who gets it!! It is jobs first. Everything else comes afterwards. I too want health care reform ( the Democratic version , not the Republican version) but it will have to wait.
And you FOOLS still like this guy? Obama needs to step down NOW!
Home sales up(I refinanced from 6.5 to 4.78 via H.A.R.P saving 150/month), increased manufacturing, increased consumer spending and no sign of inflation on the horizon according to the latest Fed report in the latest month proves the economy is gaining traction, which means President Obama;s stimulus is working, maybe not as fast and in all areas that we all want, but it is improving. 8 of the 12 reporting districts showed improvements and 4 stayed the same none declined
Instead of just whining. try counting your blessings and try to be happy the country is recovering.
If you are a member of the "Pary of No" with the stated party agenda to see that President Obama "fails" and meets his "Waterloo", you are exempt it would be too much to expect any of you to see any good that President Obama may have helped to bring to the country.
First of all if Bush is to blame for everything a failed congress did for 8 years Obama is to blame for everything a failed congress is doing now. Fair is fair!
If you check you will see that less than a quarter of the corrupt stimulus fraud is spent. So take that and redirect it to jobs. Infrastructure is a key need for near term future. A shovel ready project is here is a shovel dig here today, not we need to take bids and see what kickbacks are offered.
In WW2 China needed a road to Rangoon to bring supplies in. Civil Engineering firms said 7 years and you provide the CAT machines. China sent in over 1 million shovels and had the road done in under 1 year.
We need to place all other political desires on hold and get the unemployed working. Then we need to warm up some tar and gather some feathers and replace congress with people not on the take, without cash in their freezers, willing to be on the public option, willing to cap and trade CEO salaries at 20 times that companies average worker ,remove all those who broke into our country to steal (unemployment number is about the same as number of illeagals)and finally protect America with mandated trade balance.
To be politically correct we must call the people in congress congressmen or congresswomen. We must remain fair to these people in congress and they should be call congress clunkers.
Where in here is a surprise? The SNO-BAMA SOCIALIST agenda is failing. No tele-prompter "feel good" speeches are going to work anymore.
With more GOVT control comes less inititative, less growth, more burdensome, more expenses, more taxes (that people refuse to pay), and more chaos.
We NEED CHANGE
IMPEACH OBOZO
Am starting to worry of all this hostility towards our president from his own party! Whts going on here? WE are eating our own!
Isnt the GOP doing a good job cutting down the President? Dont we trust that Obama can lead? It seems we listening to Rush Limbaugh and playing into the hands of hateful opposition Party, who wish they can hv an equivalent of President Obama!
This is shameful, we ought to be united or divided we continue to fail esp after all the gloats we gave to the GOP! c'mon progressives!
They will never get anything going because they never take responsibility for anything, it's always "Blame Bush", when will Congress and this President stop being crybabies and actually get the hell out of the way and let the people that know a little something about creating jobs do it instead of putting extra tax burdens on them and making things worse?
Wrong – he didn't promise jobs. He promised to give states money so THEY could create jobs.
STATES ARE NOT CREATING JOBS !!!! Take their money away from them and send it to the people. States are padding their pockets or hoarding the money.
Its the economy stupid. Who gave this guy the POTUS job? YOU thats who, lets take this as a teachable moment, and cry in our beer, cheers.
Mostly I've been hearing complaints and no solutions from most of those who blog. How about us putting some suggestions out there for the President. Here goes my ideas:
Let's take a look at the tax credits that we give to businesses. If jobs are sent overseas, no business should get a tax credit, especially if those credits are not associated with a social security number.
We should look into some direct hire and training programs that allows the Government to pay a portion of an employee salary and the employer pay the other half. Most businesses aren't hiring full time employees because there is no need for their products at this moment. We have to be willling to accept the fact that many of us will have to accept some temporary work.
We should create a bank to provide loans for states for infrastructure jobs.
Provide low income loans to small businesses and start-up businesses
Everyones a critic. How about some well thought out answers minus the stupid comments? How about supporting the Chief so we can work things out instead of finger pointing or making idiotic hateful comments. I'm really getting sick of stupid people with stupid comments. "Beam me up Scotty.. there is no intelligent carbon based life forms down here!"
tell the greddy folks to let the jobs come back to america otr make them pay to leave and send thier products back here to be sold for more.
Remember just over a year ago how the Republicans were screaming that the government doesn't create jobs when the Dems were whining Bush wasn't doing enough.
The government can help stimulate the economy which in turn can help the private sector create jobs, but the government doesn't create jobs.
Sounds like another stimulus plan to me. This time, make sure that the states don't use the stimulus money to fill the budget gaps they have. Make sure that it can only be used for shovel ready jobs and small business loans.
Screw the banks and wall street, it's time to take care of main street.
double digit unemployment. that's his baby along with the Afghan war.
Although we ALL know he'll blame W. for his failures.
Obama has his cronies invited to this job circus but not the people who could really help the situation. If and when the job market turns around, Obama probably will take responsibility for it even though he would not earn it. Common sense says he needs people with experience not just ideas. If professors could earn more money in business, they probably would not be professors. Too many of his people are book smart but common sense dumb.
Appreciate quite a few comments on this page at this time.
STOP all these fake stimulus packages that only drive the Nation into debt with funding give-a-way cash to promote reckless consumer spending.
Don't take my tax dollars and give it to someone else to buy a car, washer or refrig.
Take back my money from AIG !!!!
When are they going to pay us back and with how much interest?
Is Uncle Sam charging AIG the same 18% the IRS charges tax payers? Or the 21+% credit card companies charge consumers?
Since Obama isn't helping you and many others regarding jobs, talk to Harry Reid, Rep. Rush.....he's real good at giving out 300 million dollar bribes.
Mr. Rush needs to get his priorities straight. Jobs have been declining in that region for decades due to our shift to a post-industrial economy, and what's left have been outsourced. Urban crime, poverty, and inadequate public school education don't help the situation either. Perhaps Mr. Rush should have been seeking funding to fix problems on a local level years ago, rather than throw a tantrum now. There's not one person in this country right now who could do what people are demanding be done overnight. Give the President some slack, people!
I am very conservative, and often disagree with the president's policies. However, if an oxygen thief like Bobby Rush is criticizing you, you must be doing something right.
DO you recall months ago the swashbuckling, grandiose Obama promising 3 million new jobs? This guy is making promises he can't keep, giving people false hopes, sending more troops to their death. Obama will turn out to be nothing more than hype. Americans are so shortsighted, getting caught up in the hysteria of the moment and electing someone who has no business occupying the White House. When do you think the talking heads of CNN will get a clue?
Everyone seems to think that EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE DONE YESTERDAY! And the media doesn't help....they have become TABLOID NEWS.....
Lets work together here people!
Ah come on now...aren't you liberals just a wee bit embarrassed with obama's actions and how he's doing a pretty darn good job of alienating just about all of his base supporters one way or another.
For the longest time you weren't as bad as ABC, CBS, NBC but now with your 24 hour one sided programming I feel you are just a liberal puppet for the socialist agenda on the edge of being communistic. It so disappoints me to see that our media no longer desires to tell the public the whole story but rather slant it to suit it's own purpose. Shame on you.
Yeah, "obviously there is something that is not getting through to them" fo' sho' ; read the article about Michelle's Christmas tree and decorating extravaganza.
I heard somebody say that the Jobs Now Caucus is a GOP funded racist coalition. They must not have read the article fully: 112 democrats and just 17 republicans are on the committee. It just goes to show that the liberals do not waste a moment to blame the GOP for everything. I agree that jobs are more important than health care reform, especially when health care is going to cost over a trillion dollars. If we all had jobs, we would be more inclined to accept this health care. But, since Obama and the Democrats have taken office with their slogan of "change", that is all I have left to my name. I agree, Bush was mostly responsible for thsi mess, but at least under Bush's first term, the economy was good and jobs were plentiful. It was about a year after the Democrats got into Congress in 2006 that all this started to happen. So, both sides should be accountable, but that is only in a perfect world. 2010 needs to come soon so we can get these clowns out of office on both sides. We need truthful, fiscally conservative congressman who care more about the people who elected them instead of the special interests. It is time to clean house and take back our government.