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The recent jobs report brought both good and bad news to the president. On one hand, the report found that private businesses had increased their hiring last month. On the other hand, the unemployment rate creeped upward to 9.6 percent, primarily due to the loss of temporary government jobs. The higher unemployment rate is likely set to bolster Obama's critics, who blame his economic advisors for our current quandary.
"That's why we need to take further steps to create jobs and keep the economy growing, including extending tax cuts for the middle class and investing in the areas of our economy where the potential for job growth is greatest," Obama said during his speech in the White House Rose Garden. "We are confident that we are moving in the right direction, but we want to keep this recovery moving stronger and accelerate the job growth that's needed so desperately."
An expensive new bill probably won't be passed by Congress, since the deficit is one of the key talking points for Republicans when they critique Obama's presidency. Although the deficit skyrocketed under the Bush Administration, the Republicans seem to argue that the Democrats are the ones most responsible for the nation's financial problems.
Obama's package is expected to include bonds for different cities to begin infrastructure projects and tax breaks for businesses. They are also expected to try to give companies incentives to hire by reducing or eliminating the social security tax companies have to pay on new workers.
One of the good things about Obama's latest set of economic measures is that they are targeted measures, set to support the economy where it needs help the most. Once again, people of color might feel a bit left out, since the measures don't seem to specifically cover the most challenged urban communities, such as Detroit, where the unemployment rate is nearly twice as high as the rest of the United States. The economic problems of Detroit were highlighted in a recent article by Bennett College President, Dr. Julianne Malveaux.
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Economic growth is one the most significant benchmarks of any presidency. If Obama can't get that sucker moving soon, he's going to have some serious problems in 2012. I'll admit I have faith that the economy will improve, but I wonder if America has the moral courage to elect a black man to the White House twice.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (20)
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By: Mark Hemstreet on 9/06/2010 10:25AM
There is one true stimulus answer to fix the economy. It's called The "One - Year Mortgage Holiday" 9 Point Stimulus Plan as fully detailed at
www.saveoureconomy.com which is the silver bullet solution to solve the current housing, credit, banking, financial crises, that will immediately jump start our economy, create millions of new Jobs, stimulate growth and generate long term economic prosperity through out America! The Mortgage Holiday Plan is the bold, ingenious ultimate "Trickle Up" stimulus plan that will help all home owners, renters and small/medium businesses that will actually work to stabilize the housing market and get America's economic wheel of commerce rolling again, which will also help balance the Federal budget and help start reducing the National Debt, which will strengthen the American dollar.
The Mortgage Holiday is a fair and balanced legitimate stimulus plan, Of, By and For the People, Main Street that empowers We The People, allowing us to have a well deserved one year time out from making our monthly mortgage payment, so that we can decide how best to save, spend & invest our own money. Renters of apartments, office & retail space will also receive a monthly savings and partial rebate in rent.
If you should agree, then we urge you to contact all of your elected Representatives as well as the White House to tell them to support the "One - Year Mortgage Holiday" 9 Point Stimulus Plan, that is supported by a majority of American's across the country, that actually take the time to simply read the Plan at www.saveoureconomy.com
Mark
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By: wendy on 9/06/2010 2:59PM
The President is doing all that he can to help this economy. The GOP and some corporations are saying No to adding more jobs. Its all political BS to try to make it look like its the President fault. This is how dirty these politicians are; its terrible.
I suggest people pursue entrepreneurship.
Wendy Taylor-Hill
http://TheGreenCashCow.com
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By: lincolnmanor on 9/06/2010 3:20PM
8 years AFTER and the SNOWMAN just begun to COMPLAIN!
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By: lincolnmanor on 9/06/2010 3:22PM
Turn in your Medicare card THEN, AND ONLY THEN COMPLAIN! The ways of the NEANDERTHALS ARE AMAZING.
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By: Gary on 9/06/2010 8:24PM
You are 100% correct in your statements about the economy! Think about the jobs "created" by this so-called stimulus--it's taxpayer money being paid to "government" workers! How will that help anything in the long run? It's a zero sum game. As government grows, the private sector shrinks, and the source of tax revenue dwindles, which makes it impossible to continue to feed this "monster" that has been created. Tough times call for tough changes. The size of government has got to be cut--cut severely. Pride has got to go and common sense must prevail.....
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By: rpbusmc on 9/12/2010 1:37AM
Obama is an empthy suit. Because he grew up in a White household raised by an anti-black Granny. He looks at Blacks thru her eyes. The comment I am the President of all the American people just shows how far out of touch he really is. This is the only time in our history that a Black man could be a role model to the Black youth of America who is not a Baller, Rapper or Preacher
There are hundreds of young Black men who are qualified to serve in his White House. But he has elected to make a deal with the Devil.
They will run like rats from a sinking ship come Nov. When it is all said and done the only place he will have to go is back to the Ghetto.
The clock is turning back on Black Americans and he is the Poster child for the Haters.
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By: huge_bullbone on 9/08/2010 1:40PM
Mr/Ms rpbusmc, you make some really good points. However, some of them are counter intuitive factors and, therefore, tend to work in Mr. Obama's favor with significant portions of the electorate -- especially the Iowan-like parts. Remember this. The Iowa caucuses choose the next president and he won there. Miracle? You bet. You have heard that it has been said that white is considered RIGHT in America; so -- even you had better run out and get you some if you can. The Japanese called it Kamakazi [catching a hold on the Divine Wind]. Check it out. Of course, you can win battles, still lose the military war, BUT come back years later and win the auto and electronics war. Enough said on that. Rather than being "an empty suit" as you say, Barry, Jr is plain and simply a Columbia->Harvard trained genius as a politician -- and that needs to be kept in mind at ALL times. He is interested in votes, people as individuals and groups, thoughts and ideas, elections, polls, campaign strategy, contributions, and appearances. As such, like ALL successful public figures, he has an ego that is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Thank God for this blessed man. Nothing bad that is said to him or about him will break him down. Thank God and Mrs. Obama -- AGAIN. Unfortunately, he takes the Black vote for granted because he knows he cannot win even with 100% of that segment's vote. ALL African-American "firsts" since this country has been in existence have had to walk a fine line. This rule applies most clearly and succinctly to our current President and his family. Pray for him.
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By: altha cutright on 9/12/2010 8:15PM
Please stop being such an idiot Obama have nothing to do with your daddy, maybe you don't know this but your daddy and mother suppose to be your role model. Now Obama is not your father he has two girls if you don't know who your daddy is don't blame Obama, that blame lies with your mama. Get a grip do something about yourself get off your ass and stop looking for a HAND-OUT.
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By: rasfanta on 9/09/2010 2:12AM
The democractic party are the ones responsible for the destruction of the economy, the outsourcing of jobs and the devaluation of our homes. Under bill clinton, NAFTA was established; Glass-Steigal was thrown out along with other regulations that prevented wall street from doing what they did to this country and the world. obama's health care is a joke. Most of the money went to the establishment of health care IT, schools, various BS initiatives but not direct patient care. Not direct patient care. His financial reform is a joke written by the same MFs that caused the problems in the first place, the same bunch from the clinton administration that deregulated and enabled wall street to rip off the american people. obama is a puppet for the democratic party that will continue to stiff the middle class, gut the safety net for the poor and cater to the rich, just like clinton started. clinton, ladies and gentlemen, not bush. Now take your heads out of your ass and understand the facts.
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By: altha cutright on 9/12/2010 8:05PM
Patricia, I know you do not own a vehicle, you are to paranoid driving wouldn't be a good ideal.
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