Obama Talks Transportation Jobs On Labor Day

After one grueling August, President Obama tried to re-inspire voters in a Labor Day speech in Detroit yesterday, previewing elements of his address to Congress planned for Thursday.  While many Americans used the day as a well deserved break from work, it was a painful reminder to a large segment of  unemployed and underemployed workers that job prospects are still dismal and the economy is not looking any better.

The President’s remarks are of particular importance to the hardest hit by the recession and unemployment, Latinos and blacks, since, as mentioned previously in NewsTaco, these groups were hit the hardest by the recession.

Without revealing any specific details, the President suggested job creation may take the form of rebuilding the nation’s roads and bridges, opening new markets to US goods using trade deals, and addressing Republicans directly, cutting taxes for the middle class.

Obama also appealed for bipartisan action on the matter, stating:

“I’m going to propose ways to put America back to work that both parties can agree to, because I still believe both parties can work together to solve our problems.  Given the urgency of this moment, given the hardship that many people are facing, folks have got to get together. But we’re not going to wait for them.”

Later in the speech the President called out Republicans again saying:

“It’s time for those elected officials to stop worrying about their own jobs and to start worrying about those of working men and women.”

The nation will have to tune in to part two of Obama’s speech Thursday to see if his plans for economic recovery and job growth are feasible. So after a month filled with hurricanes, earthquakes, record-breaking heat, and continued economic malaise, here’s hoping to a better September.