Obama calls for Congress to spur economy after weak job growth

Los Angeles Times ^ | June 2, 2012 | Jim Puzzanghera

[John W]

WASHINGTON -- Citing the slow economic growth that led to Friday’s disappointing unemployment report, President Obama used his weekly radio address to urge Congress to act on a package of long-stalled proposals he said would stimulate hiring.

"It’s not lost on anyone, least of all me, that this is an election year. But we’ve got responsibilities that are bigger than an election. We’ve got responsibilities to you," Obama said Saturday. "With so many people struggling to get by, now is not the time to play politics."

Most of the proposals in a $447-billion jobs package the president introduced in September have gone nowhere in Congress amid partisan fighting over the best way to boost the economy and deal with the huge budget deficit.

Among the stalled initiatives is new funding for road, bridge and school construction, money for states and municipalities to hire or retain teachers, police and firefighters, and a proposal to make it easier for struggling homeowners to refinance their mortgages.

"So my message to Congress is: Get to work," Obama said.

[Col Frank Slade]

The only involvement with jobs Congress is good at is the preservation of their own.

[moonshinner_09]

Obama has the given DOJ plently of work suing states like Arizona over immigration laws, along with Alabama , South Carolina ,Georgia.

[RC2]

“But we’ve got responsibilities that are bigger than an election.”????? This is the problem. He’s just now figuring this out? The economy won’t change until after the election. If he gets re-elected, it will get worse and in my opinion, this is exactly what he wants, and industry knows it. Industry will not start hiring until they know what the future looks like. The future under Obama is bleak at best.

[TomGuy]

Among the stalled initiatives is new funding

Throwing $billions at the problem hasn't helped so far. Throwing more would be just like throwing it in the trash.

What happened to all that infrastructure building/spending that was supposed to take place in the early stimulus bills?

Before throwing more money at infrastructure, we need an accounting of the last 3 years.

What is that definition of insanity? Doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

Been there. EPIC FAIL the first few times it was tried.

[Baynative]

This is like watching a bizarre Kabuki play where nothing is as it seems. Obama doesn't mean what he says, nor does he say what he means. All the people in congress know it and go about their business as if they are listening to some wise old sage who has directed them to greatness. Yet, they actually do nothing.

All the while the media that also knows he is no truthful in what he says, reports on the image they have created as if it is real. At the same time the made for television president is busy signing laws and appointing departments to do the business of congress without the consent or oversight of congress.

The media can't see it or doesn't want to. But where we have come to is a that we are now living under a government run by unelected officials and departments that can do as they wish. They can make and enforce their own regulations.

I hope Newt Gingrich can make good on his promise to reverse the damage Obama has done and somehow remain on the seen to influence Mr. Romney to do the right thing for America if he manages to outsmart the media and the Holder fraud machine to win this election.

[moonshinner_09]

Obama has the given DOJ plently of work suing states like Arizona over immigration laws, along with Alabama , South Carolina ,Georgia.

[LibLieSlayer]

I see obamao is still trying to sink America to the bottom of the septic tank... and the sad part is that there are more than a few republicrats that want to help him.

LLS

[EQAndyBuzz]

Take taxpayer money and give it to unions to wash it and send it back to the campaign.

[Nip]

The elephant in the room that no Obama supporter wants to talk about is time.

Even if Congress passed every Obama proposal today it will take 12 to 24 months for the effects to be seen. That is June 2013 to June 2014.

Bottom lines:

Obama needed to focus his attention, laser-like, on the jobs issues no later than November 2010 to establish a positive job producing environment in time for the 2012 general elections.

He is 12 to 18 months late, and most if not all of his advisers know this. Why else would they build in advance payments into ObamaCare?

Everything that Obama attempts from here on is a poor quality eye wash that the LMSM will attempt to sell as gold.

[TomGuy]

Obama needed to focus his attention, laser-like, on the jobs issues no later than November 2010 to establish a positive job producing environment in time for the 2012 general elections.

Well, he was gonna. Recall all those speeches where he said he would not rest until ...

Except that golf courses kept getting in the way. So many golf courses; so little time. And what with Michelle packing and unpacking from all those vacations -- very distracting.

No wonder he needs another 4 years ...

[/s]

[Sea Parrot]

To spur the economy, vote Obama out in November.

[Cheerio]

Obama has the given DOJ plently of work suing states like Arizona over immigration laws, along with Alabama , South Carolina ,Georgia.

The Lawyer and Lobbyist Full Employment Act.