Over 300 Days Without a Jobs Agenda and We Can't Wait -- November 4, 2011
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In this week's Carson Courier:
- Over 300 Days Without a Jobs Agenda
- We Can't Wait
Over 300 Days Without a Jobs Agenda
This week marked the 300th day of the 112th Congress without a major jobs bill. At a time when more and more Americans are struggling to find work, heat their homes and put food on the table, I am frustrated by Congress's inaction. Repeatedly, leaders in the House have refused to bring up bills that would stimulate our economy by making smart investments in our infrastructure, increasing exports and putting millions of Americans back to work.
The American people have made it clear: our nation's top priority is job creation, and no recovery can take place without addressing the vital concerns of American families. The legendary Willie Nelson remarked recently, Americans are "much more worried about ceilings over their heads these days than they are about the debt ceiling." Willie is right; Americans want to get back to work. There is simply no better way to reduce the deficit and grow the economy than by creating jobs and strengthening middle and working class Americans. Rather than indiscriminately slashing spending, the American people want Congress to pass legislation that will help rebuild our roads, schools, airports, bridges and rail lines. These kinds of investments benefit all Americans across the political spectrum and ensure that United States continues to compete well into the 21st century. It's well past time for Congress to stop ignoring the American people and get to work on growing our economy.
We Can't Wait
In the face of political paralysis in Washington, President Obama has boldly acted to help millions of Americans. I wholeheartedly agree with the President that inaction in Congress is hurting the American people and that any efforts to address their most critical concerns should be pursued.
A recent economic report confirmed what many Americans already believe to be true: over the past three decades, middle and working class Americans have lost ground while the wealthiest Americans have become even wealthier. The top one percent have seen their wages rise seven times as fast as the average middle class family. At a time when health care, energy prices and college tuition have skyrocketed, the vast majority of Americans are finding it harder to get ahead. I don't begrudge anyone's wealth and success. I simply want more Americans to have the chance to achieve the American Dream. This great nation succeeds when more Americans prosper. I agree with the President: we can no longer wait for Congress to do its part. Below are just some of the ways the President is acting to grow our economy and protect the middle class:
- Helping Americans Manage Student Loan Debt: Allows more than 1.6 million Americans to consolidate their student loans and cap them at 10 percent of their discretionary income.
- Helping Homeowners Refinance Their Mortgages: Millions of Americans have kept current on their home loans, but they are stuck paying higher payments because their home is worth less than their mortgage. The President has acted to expand the Home Affordable Refinance Program so that more Americans can reduce the cost of their home loans.
- Reducing Prescription Drug Shortages and Preventing Price Gouging: The number of prescription drug shortages has tripled over the past five years. For many Americans, these shortages can literally mean life or death. The President has directed the FDA to take action to prevent and reduce prescription drug shortages and prevent unscrupulous and illegal price gouging.
- Helping Veterans Find Work: Far too many veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan only to find themselves unable to find work. The President's executive order encourages community health centers to hire at least 8,000 veterans over the next three years and gives priority to veterans who want training to be physician assistants.
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