Obama's Plans for America
President Barack Obama will go down in history as a man with great intellect, composure and resilience. Despite the makeup he and others wore during last night's broadcast, he's holding up physically better than many others. Even Biden still looks fresh.
Beyond appearances, Obama addressed several critical issues facing this nation. Affordable higher education, putting a halt on increasing interest rates on student loans, retooling Americans for current and future jobs by having community colleges serve as educational and retraining institutions. He called out the financial institutions that received the bail out; however the average American homeowner is still losing their homes. Let's hope the federal investigation of Wall Street is executed post haste.
Our President will be remembered for pulling US service people out of Iran. It was a long ordeal that resulted in deaths and property destruction. Whether Saddam Hussein was a national threat or Al-Quaeda is an organized body needs exploration. One thing the war brought to Americans is employment in the form of tour-of-duty. Soldiers sent money home and were able to pay off debts. We're living in critical times when men and women "join up" in order to sustain the family back home. Our rich American citizens need not have fighting in their income-generating considerations. President Obama didn't mention this but he did state it is time for those with incomes of $1,000,000 and more to pay their share of taxes. He said millionaires are paying less taxes than middle income households.
He didn't address whether Unemployment Insurance will be extended given the imbalance between the number of unemployed and available jobs. He mentioned that jobs have been created but the issue is whether people can live on these wages. So his talk was absent of stating the kinds of jobs created.
Yes, the United States has oil and gas deposits that could provide 100 years of energy. Isn't it time that this nation make significant investment into wind, wave, and solar energy? Back in the 70's and 80's there existed the US Dept. of Energy whose mission was to audit the gasoline industry and do R & D into alternative energy applications. That department was dismantled however, it's findings remain. We need to apply them. This world can't sustain the underwater oil spills or rock fracturing to release natural gas. Our President asserted his support of "fracking" which raised many "Ughs" from people seated around this writer.
Vice-President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner sat quietly behind Barack Obama. Biden projected confidence and acceptance of the State of the Union Address, while Boehner wore the mask of rock hard opposition. Was that necessary? Did he not agree that Americans need jobs and to keep their homes? Did he not agree that Wall Street needs to be investigated? Does he think millionaires and billionaires shouldn't pay taxes based on their tax bracket? Bipartisanship has its limits. The legislature has to play another game. The American people need
change.
Labels: Barack Obama, State of the Union, US economy, US politics
Basic 101 on The American Jobs Act
Amid small jeers, Brian Benjamin of the Obama National Finance Committee briefed the public about the The American Jobs Act, at Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, a chilly Friday night ago. Was it the weather or was it the economy that kept too many people away from the opportunity to have a national program explained in simple language?
The American Jobs Act, when passed by the legislature, will allocate $447,000,000,000 to hire American workers, extend unemployment insurance, and give employers tax incentives to re-ignite the economy. President Obama faces stiff opposition from the Republicans for dollars and strategies that retrain Americans in needed jobs in a global, post-industrial reality; effectively address discrimination against the long-term unemployed; keep in place key public jobs such as teachers, the police and firefighters; finance national infrastructure projects and establish an infrastructure bank for a sustainable stream of financing to upgrade existing structures and the installation of new ones.
$175 billions is allocated for payroll tax cuts. Specifically, employers would receive a $4,000 per employee tax relief for hiring the long-term unemployed. $50 billion is allocated for national infrastructure projects which include telecommunication and information technology comparable to other leading nations. $49 billion for the Pathways Back to Work; $5 billion for summer youth programs; and $15 billion for Project Rebuild which renovates commercial properties and undeveloped land along America's main streets.
Prior to Benjamin's talk Kirsten John Foy NYC Public Advocate's community affairs director discussed the changing global economic scene and what Americans needed to do to stay viable. "American cities aren't at the level of Wi-Fi accessibility of other world cities." This leaves Americans unable to effectively compete for jobs, projects and other opportunities because the global economy is fueled by broadband.
Employment for American veterans coming from Afghanistan, Iraq and other conflict areas are addressed through the Returning Heroes Tax Credit. Given the permanent loss of certain jobs, low consumer spending, disrepair of roadways, communication and utility lines, one would believe there would be bipartisan support of the Act; however, it isn't the case. When queried whether the Republicans opposed the American Jobs Act because they want the act renamed and accredited to a future Republican president, St. Senator Velmanette Montgomery responded, "The Republicans could take the credit for it right now." It has more to do with a fundamental stance on governance and the federal government's role in meeting societal needs.
Brian Benjamin explained "the sources of the $447,000,000,000 are one-third coming from the bill, tax increases, and another portion from reallocation of the federal budget." Benjamin stressed that the Act provided a framework for dollars and programs without details in program design and administration. This means people can propose specific initiatives, programs and strategies with specified dollar amounts to realize outcomes and results. The audience was asked to collaborate on developing sound program proposals and not wait for others to do so.
Labels: American Jobs Act, Barack Obama, taxes, the economy, US politics
