American Jobs Act Bill

It is prudent that we educate ourselves and families on the American Jobs Act Bill in order to effect change.  If we agree that something must be done immediately to increase employment opportunities in this country, then must must respond by urging Congress to stop playing politics and ACT for the benefit of the American people.  The goal of the Republican Party should not be to beat President  Obama at all cost, but rather to improve conditions in America, at all cost.  Watch the President's speech made today (and view archived speeches), and read the Bill here.

Resource Guide For the Occupy Protest.

Below is an email that I received from the editor at Thinkprogress.org.  Read more here and here.

Dear Maria, As you have undoubtedly been witnessing, the Occupy Wall Street protests have spawned a nationwide movement for progressive change. Thousands of inspiring protesters are gathering in cities across America – in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and more – to call attention to a political system that unfairly and unjustly rewards the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. ThinkProgress has put together a resource guide to arm you with the key facts as we work together for economic justice: Why They're Protesting What started with about 1,000 people in New York City is a civil disobedience campaign to draw attention to economic inequality and the need for structural economic reforms. In the true spirit of the Boston Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street protesters are practicing civil disobedience for many of the same reasons. They demonstrating in opposition corporate greed; demanding that government support education, infrastructure, and jobs; getting rid of corporate tax loopholes; and strengthening democracy. Read more here. How Unequal are We? Protesters call themselves the 99 percent – meaning the portion of the nation pushing back against the top 1 percent of the most wealthy Americans. Here is an explanation of exactly how economically unequal we are: 1. The top 1 percent of Americans owns 40 percent of the nation’s wealth. 2. The top 1 percent of Americans takes home 24 percent of national income. 3. The top 1 percent of Americans owns half of the country’s stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. 4. The top 1 percent of Americans has only 5 percent of the nation’s personal debt. 5. The top 1 percent is taking in more of the nation’s income than at any other time since the 1920s. Read more here. Who's Involved The number of people behind Occupy Wall Street has grown from that first group who started the demonstrations in New York. Now, people ranging from labor unions to celebrities and veterans are protesting in the streets across the country. Here's an Iraq veteran who joined the protest in Boston because the future is at stake and "it's not going to fix itself": But of course not everyone has been giving the Occupy Wall Street protesters fair coverage. After Fox News had mocked and tried to "prank" protesters in its coverage, the news channel did not air this interview with Jesse LaGreca in which the protesters clearly explains why he's there protesting and what he thinks of Fox's coverage, even scolding the Fox staffer for his network’s role as a far-right “propaganda machine." Watch the unaired interview: Read more here and  here. If you found this content useful, please consider forwarding it to your friends. Thanks, Faiz --- Faiz Shakir Editor, ThinkProgress.org

Occupy Wall Street: Violence erupts as protesters attempt to cross Broadway

The organization that Ben Bernanke referred to in his address on Capital Hill address, Occupy Wall Street.Org, is in their 18th day of protest down in the financial district in NYC. This evening the protest got violent with police brass, and uniformed officers beating protesters with clubs, and spraying pepper spray as they attempt to clear Broadway in an effort to prevent protesters form crossing their barricades. See video here.  Protesters consist of recent college graduate who have been unable to find employment, as well as labor union members who are facing layoffs due to budget cuts.  As protest numbers swell, protesters vow that they are in it for the long haul.

Federal Reserve Chief Warns Congress That Economic Recovery Is Close to Faltering

Ben Bernanke warns Congress the economic recovery as is now is close to faltering.  Europe has a debt crisis, America has a job crisis, and the world finance Markets are fermenting.  When asked about the 18 days of protest that is happening in Wall Street and cities all over the country, Bernanke responded "I think people are quite unhappy with the state of the economy and what is happening.  They blame, with some justification, the problems n the financial sector for getting us into this mess and they're dissatisfied with the policy response here in Washington.  And, at some level, I can't blame them."

Republicans and the few Democrats who oppose the $447 billion job-creation bill must do something to stave off a double dip recession.  At the rate things are going, the 9% unemployment rate will remain well into 2013
You can read more on the issue here.