Liberal House Democrats urge 'bold action' from Obama on jobs issue

The Hill ^ | 9/01/11 | Mike Lillis

[mdittmar]

Liberal House Democrats are pressuring President Obama to ignore his conservative critics and take "bold action" to tackle the lingering jobs crisis.

Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) — the co-chairmen of the Congressional Progressive Caucus — want the president to champion sweeping investments in the nation's crumbling infrastructure as a way to create jobs and jolt the sluggish economy.

"With 14 million Americans still looking for work, this is not the time to tinker around the edges," the lawmakers wrote to Obama Thursday. "We must take bold action, and that requires federal emergency jobs legislation."

Obama is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress Sept. 8 to lay out his plans for tackling the nation's unemployment rate, which is hovering above 9 percent.

Specifically, Grijalva and Ellison are urging Obama to promote a national infrastructure bank, a public-private partnership designed to fund the nation's aging roads, bridges, railways and other vital structures. That proposal, championed by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), is part of the "Make it in America" agenda House Democrats have been pushing this year.

"The country’s infrastructure needs an estimated investment of $2.2 trillion," Grijalva and Ellison wrote. "We should not delay these crucial investments, especially while millions of Americans are out of work. Rebuilding America — without creating expensive new corporate tax loopholes — will further boost our economy and create badly needed jobs."

Such a plan would have a tough road ahead, however, as the majority House Republicans are opposed to new stimulus spending as a way to inject life in the limping economy. Instead, GOP leaders want to cut taxes, slash spending and scale back regulations they say have prevented businesses from hiring new workers.

Indeed, to deliver their radio address this week, Republican leaders have chosen Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), who sponsored a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution, which would slam the breaks on new stimulus spending unless it was offset elsewhere in the budget.

Both parties insist they're fighting for job creation. But the vast differences between their strategies has left each side accusing the other of failing to address the issue. 

Grijalva and Ellison argued Thursday that the federal government has a responsibility to intervene for the sake of the country's economic future.

"There is no shortage of work to be done in America, and no shortage of workers to do it," they wrote to Obama. "We are squandering the talent, energy and hopes of a generation."

[mdittmar]

And guess what was just released today,yep a new report on "the nation's crumbling infrastructure"!

AMERICA’S RURAL ROADS ARE DETERIORATED AND INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND MOBILITY DEMANDS. RURAL TRAFFIC FATALITIES ARE THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN ALL OTHER ROADS. Washington, D.C.- America’s rural heartland is home to approximately 50 million people and its natural resources provide the primary source of the energy, food and fiber that supports the nation’s economy and way of life. But, according to a new report, the roads and bridges that serve and connect the nation’s rural areas face a number of significant challenges, including inadequate capacity to handle the growing levels of traffic and commerce, limited connectivity, the inability to accommodate growing freight travel, deteriorated road and bridge conditions, a lack of desirable safety features, and a traffic fatality rate far higher than all other roads and highways. The report, “Rural Connections: Challenges and Opportunities in America’s Heartland,” was released today by TRIP, a national non-profit transportation research group based in Washington, D.C.

I'm already seeing the old media running with it.

How coincidental;)

[cranked]

“Bold action” would be his announcement that he is resigning. =.=

[ken5050]

Dems' plan:

SPEND LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!!!!

And for he Dems, after next November....there isn't..

[ken5050]

Dems' plan:

SPEND LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!!!!

And for he Dems, after next November....there isn't..

[ken5050]

Dems' plan:

SPEND LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!!!!

And for he Dems, after next November....there isn't..

[ken5050]

Dems' plan:

SPEND LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!!!!

And for he Dems, after next November....there isn't..

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Bold Action: the Kenyan will name Hugo Chavez as his Jobs Czar.

[ken5050]

Dems' plan:

SPEND LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!!!!

And for he Dems, after next November....there isn't..

[mylife]

“Bold Action”= firing up the printing press and spreading money to the union goons.

[hsalaw]

“bold plan” - stimulus, supported by higher taxes on everyone

[omega4179]

We’ve had enough “bold action” “concrete steps” and historic “fundamental change” for about 50 years.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Maybe he will propose a Department of Infrastructure.

Or a Department of Jobs.

Or yet another czar to focus on jobs.

After all, if he creates more bureaucracy or an office with a czar in it, those new departments or czar office all need employees and office space to be rented, and office supplies, etc. AND all of that stimulates the economy, per the Obamabots.

[smalltownslick]

Bold Action - Butt out! Quit trying to “fix” things and see how quickly they “fix” themselves!!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Federal Department of Pecker Gnat Control.
A million man army of young folks armed with fly swatters, they'll be placed in all 57 states to guard against this curse...

[wac3rd]

Lemmme see here....

A radical Muslim Leftist intent on Sha’ria Law in the US and an open borders La Raza SEIU stooge are calling for bold action?

The Muslim Mexican Marxist connection. Beck was right.

[org.whodat]

Bold action, are the left threatening Marshall law and king Obummer. Do not think you liberals have enough ammo.

[Interesting Times]

The only “bold action” that would have a positive impact is unavailable to this socialist Administration: getting the government out of the way and allowing the free market to function.

[PapaNew]

Except it’s not a job creation issue is it dispite what the leftists and the MSM say. We all know government can create useless jobs. The issue is WEALTH CREATION, something the government never has and never will create but ONLY the FREE MARKET.

[AU72]

The only jobs that will be created is when the sign company hires more to make the new ‘Recovery’ signs.

[Argus]

What was that stimulus bill back in 2009 supposed to be about?

These jobs any more shovel ready now than they were then?