Republicans slam president on jobs
August 27th, 2011
06:01 AM ET
12 years ago

Republicans slam president on jobs

(CNN) - In the GOP weekly address, Nevada Sen. Dean Heller blasted President Barack Obama for his economic policies and said the country is still waiting for an effective job-creation plan.

“It is clear that the approach of this administration and its supporters have taken for economic recovery has failed miserably,” Heller said Saturday.

Citing his home of Nevada as the worst-hit state in the recession, Heller blamed rampant spending in Washington, the new health care reform law, and a “seemingly endless stream” of regulations for crippling and killing jobs.

“The American public and businesses alike are waiting on a plan that can plant the seeds of economic growth and bolster job creation,” Heller said.

His remarks come more than a week after Obama announced he would propose a jobs plan soon after Labor Day.

Among suggested solutions for recovery, Heller advocated a balanced budget amendment, more open rules on energy exploration and a repeal of Obama’s sweeping health care reform.

The tax code also needs reform, Heller said, and made simpler for individuals and employers by cutting out “special interest loopholes.”

“The continual threat of tax increases feeds the uncertainty that serves as an impediment to economic growth,” he said.

Heller also called for an end to “scare tactics” employed by members of Congress regarding Medicare and Social Security.

No one wants to end the entitlement programs, he said, but they do need adjustments.

“They will not be around for our generation or the next unless Congress takes the necessary steps to strengthen these programs,” Heller said. “They can be fixed, but the lies have to stop.”


Filed under: Dean Heller • Economy • Jobs • President Obama • Republicans
soundoff (113 Responses)
  1. CaliforniaBC

    And what are the Republican Tea Partiers' solutions?? More tax cuts?? Yeah we've seen how that creates jobs, especially when those very cuts at the state level caused an INCREASE in unemployment from local government lay-offs.

    But yeah...you guys keep going with what DOESN'T work, has been PROVEN not to work and WILL NOT work in the future.
    Isn't this a good definition of CRAZY?

    August 27, 2011 02:10 pm at 2:10 pm |
  2. Indy

    Since Obama became President the only thing Republicans would say is NO,NO,NO,NO,NO, then in 2010 they ran and were elected on JOBS,JOBS,JOBS,JOBS
    The two words that they yelled the loudest is exactly what they want the most, NO JOBS ! Vote Republican and you will get what they tell you NO JOBS !! Republicans are hellbent on destroying all that is good in America

    August 27, 2011 02:16 pm at 2:16 pm |
  3. TEA PARTY Mike

    @AW

    You are assuming that a majority of voters will actually support Obama's new plan. So far a majority of voters have been opposed to all the major bills that Obama and the Democrats have passed including the stimulus, Obamacare, and Cap and Trade passed by the House Democrats under Pelosi. A majority of voters did not want any of these bills passed. Only Democrats voted for these bills, no Republicans. Democrats demonstrated to the American people that they did not care about the welfare of the American people and voters expressed their anger in the 2010 election.
    If a majority of the American people support Obama's jobs plan it will be a first. If a majority of the American people do not support Obama's plan and Republicans vote against it, the American people will see that Republicans are on there side and will thank them.

    August 27, 2011 02:17 pm at 2:17 pm |
  4. Forwardthinking

    The repugs have been proud to have "changed the debate" in Washington to "how much to cut." So if you want to blame anyone for Washington's lack of focus on job creation (not even their job, really), blame the far right. President Obama has some good PROGRESSIVE ideas. We progressives want progress not digression.

    August 27, 2011 02:21 pm at 2:21 pm |
  5. sara

    There are PLENTY of JOB bills, just "lying" around in Congress. Keep talking about race, sexuality, abortion and cut and cap.....Then What? Their "Job Creators" MUST have taken our money and RAN.

    August 27, 2011 02:50 pm at 2:50 pm |
  6. Tom

    I'm still waiting for a job creation program; however, at the president has tried. Republicans havn't even started on a bill or idea or plan.

    August 27, 2011 02:56 pm at 2:56 pm |
  7. Dee

    I agree with everyone but one we all seem to be on the same page it was the Republicans who ran on JOBS, JOBS, JOBS,
    but now as usual they blame the President.

    We will see how many will accept govenrment help from President Obama for hurricane Irene because they say the government needs to stay out of our lives. The hypocrits will be lined up for emergency Fema Money watch Chris Crisitie, of New Jersey who they want to run for President, he is all over the TV talking let's see if he accepts some money.

    August 27, 2011 03:14 pm at 3:14 pm |
  8. Aaron

    Isn't Nevada run by Republicans? These Repub/teabagger idiots have delivered nothing but higher gas prices since they took over the House.

    August 27, 2011 03:34 pm at 3:34 pm |
  9. jnpa

    @john/kc.....you are absolutely right! Have you ever gone to a mall and checked out the labels on where everything is made? It will usually be China, but if not, then maybe Vietnam....but never USA. THAT is where our jobs are! How can jobs be created here when everything we need or want is already being made abroad? The government needs to do something to these corporations to get them to bring jobs back here. They allowed them all to leave with no penalties. Free enterprise is fine until it hurts the workers of this country, and we have reached that point.

    August 27, 2011 03:55 pm at 3:55 pm |
  10. jnpa

    There is NOTHING the republicans can do to get jobs that the democrats haven't already tried! If there is, the democrats would have already done it!

    August 27, 2011 03:59 pm at 3:59 pm |
  11. Joe from CT, not Lieberman

    What I find ironic is the party that has done everything in its power to prevent the lower and middle economic classes from getting a toehold in the economy, and who won the last congressional elections based on their "promise" to bring Jobs to America have not done a thing for us. I consider myself to be fortunate that I have a decent job and between my wife and I we manage to make a comfortable life for our family.

    August 27, 2011 04:02 pm at 4:02 pm |
  12. Bill from GA

    repugs only hope is to continually repeat lies about President Obama's failure and ignore their own. repugs do seem to have a louder voice, overall.

    August 27, 2011 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |
  13. Bill in Florida

    What? The GOP slams the President? They've never done that before.

    Yawn.

    August 27, 2011 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |
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