Jobs or War?

"I am an advocate of President Obama. I am an advocate of President Obama. I am.....errrrr, wait a minute. What was that?" On Thursday, December 3, 2009 President Obama hosted a group of business and labor leaders and economic advisors in a discussion of "every demonstrably good idea" for creating more jobs. To the unemployed I am sure that this effort brought a sigh of relief as many will, if they have not already, exhausted their unemployment benefits. As the holidays approach many who would normally be out purchasing gifts for friends and loved ones or just taking advantage of holiday sales are finding themselves in the position of just being grateful to have a roof over their head and food on the table. As one going through the same thing I can say that I thoroughly understand and was optimistic when I heard of the job creation summit.

The upshot of the summit, however, was not as to be as expected. It was quite disheartening to learn that the outcome was the President informing the public that although he would do what he could there would be limited funds available to assist with job creation. Now I may be wrong but didn't the government just allocate an ADDITIONAL $30 billion dollars to send more troops to Afghanistan. Call me cynical, and I sure that most people would like to tell you how the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, as a citizen of these United States who has paid a significant amount into 'the system' I would like to have some say as to whether my taxes go to save me or someone in another country. I would like to think that all of this safety will not be at the expense of my being out on the street, where undoubtedly and quite ironically I will most definitely be in peril. What goes does it do to save my life from a potential bomb only to put me in danger of being stabbed, shot or beaten to death on the street. Is someone missing the point? I guarantee you I am not.

"President Obama: at some point (yesterday) other people have to learn to take care of themselves and we must take care of our own". We encourage children to go to college and get an education only to have some of our most educated out on the streets now because some company decided they needed profit more than they cared about the quality of the service they provide. And let us not be confused...minorities, college-educated particularly African-Americans, are being the hardest hit in this recession. According to a New York Times article on December 1, 2009 a college degree is not closing the racial gap for today's jobseekers.

So how do you handle that?

You write to the President. I intend to. $30 billion for war or $30 billion for the creation of new jobs and/or unemployment. You decide. I already have.