Thursday, December 3, 2009

More jobs... the sooner the better

"With unemployment levels above 10 percent, Obama said 'We cannot hang back and hope for the best.'"
Obama is now trying to make jobs for people as the unemployment levels rise to highs that haven't been seen in awhile. He is pushing for energy efficiency and saying that we don't need new technologies for this and that this area can be one of the best ways to get businesses up and running again. At the same time the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, stated that the government would use money originally meant for the Wall Street bailout for use on roads, brigdes, and in an attempt to save jobs. She however didn't say much they were planning on using but because of a House Democratic aide speaking on background, the estimates will be near $70 billion.
There are still meetings happening to as what will exactly be done, but Obama is taking ideas from all over, even from people that oppose him inlcuding a Republican economist that doesn't hold Obama's views to closely.

5 comments:

LahaRulle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LahaRulle said...

I feel like there is a lot to say on this topic, but I'm not sure where to start, mostly because you don't really give any opinion on the subject.

Perhaps I will make a detailed comment when I have done some more research on the subject to give myself somewhere to start from.

-Ilan Seid-Green

Sarah Jacobs said...

I like that Obama is placing a focus on job development in areas like developing green technologies, and alternative energy. The article also mentioned spending that "Congress will tap unused funds from last year's $700 billion Wall Street bailout to pay for new spending on roads and bridges and save the jobs of firefighters, teachers and other public employee." I think its a good idea that the government focuses on job development not just in industries that produce "consumer products." I do not feel that that is sustainable. I think that a more lasting solution is to create "service" related jobs, which the government seems to be promising to do.

Britney Tsao said...

I agree with Sarah. Obama is taking the same approach FDR did with the great depression in creating jobs, but his jobs aren't as temporary. Building bridges, though, is a job that will only last until the bridge is finished. Improving alternative energy and green technology is a field that is more lasting, and I think this is important. Creating jobs for people at this point seems to be a pressing matter since unemployment levels are so high, and I think Obama is stepping in the right direction.

Sally Shearer said...

I definately agree that this trickle up appraoch is the way to go. While both the bailout and providing jobs COULD (and I'm not saying either definately will) stimulate the economy, this approach is what the majority of people need. Those who are unemployed need relief NOW, and if the jobs the government can provide them are also progressive in important areas like energy technology then even better. Both enery efficency and employment rates just need SPEED now