Will the New Congress Heed the Clarion Call for Jobs Creation?

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/14384

Submitted by Jesse Russell on November 7, 2010 - 2:25pm
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Lede: Will the new Congress heed the clarion call for jobs creation? Doug Cunningham reports.

By Doug Cunningham

Roughly 151,000 new jobs were created in October – welcome news but not adequate to put 15 million jobless Americans back to work. AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka says he hopes the new Congress is listening to the clarion call that job creation and fixing the economy is job one for the government. Over forty percent of the jobless have been unemployed for more than six months. Hundreds of thousands will lose their unemployment benefits at the end of the month. The AFL-CIO is calling on Congress not to cut the lifeline for jobless workers but instead to extend jobless benefits. The Economic Policy Institute says extending he benefits actually helps save other jobs – as many as 488,000 jobs. An AFL-CIO post-election poll shows that people want to see immediate action to create jobs, including an investment in infrastructure – roads, bridges, schools and clean energy systems. The labor federation says the American people expect Congress to act to create jobs now. The question is, will the new Congress listen?

[MannyGoldstein]

1. No.

Obama's already taking the opportunity to announce that he's turning further right.

[Bluzmann57]

2. No

But they will blame Democrats and get away with it.

[Possumpoint]

3. I Fear

That the new Congress will end up being a do nothing. Democratic majority in the Senate versus a Republican majority in the house itching for some payback will result in political gamesmanship and posturing. I don't look for anything to result but political statements from both sides trying to make the other look bad. We the voters will get what we voted for, nothing.