About 15 million Americans are looking for work and guess what President Obama has planned? A meeting tomorrow with a bunch of CEOs.
It seems a bit odd that the administration would want to meet with the very individuals who have downsized, furloughed and cut benefits for the very workers he’s trying to help.
OK, there will also be some economists and labor leaders at the much-hyped job summit, but the dismal employment picture is going to need more than talk. Some labor experts say only an FDR “New Deal” type jobs program will save us.
Britannica’s overview of the New Deal in the 1930s:
The new administration’s first objective was to alleviate the suffering of the nation’s huge number of unemployed workers. Such agencies as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) were established to dispense emergency and short-term governmental aid and to provide temporary jobs, employment on construction projects, and youth work in the national forests.
Lots of great things came out of the WPA in particular, including great art.
It was a government attempt to employ a variety of artists, writers, and musicians so that the work they produced could help them make a living and subsequently enhance the quality of American life during the Great Depression.
Such drastic measures to create jobs may be needed, according to some who get how the middle class has eroded in this country.
“I’m all for conferences, if they lead to action. Not otherwise,” said James K. Galbraith, Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin.
“We do need an updated New Deal, taking account of the more important role played by states and localities now, than in the 30s,” he continued. “And we need a parallel financial system — as was in fact created in the New Deal — to begin to restore the private economy in the face of the zombie character of the major banks.”
Here offered a link to some of his employment policy thoughts.
What’s your take? What do you think Obama should be doing tomorrow?
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I’m puzzled why Obama chose a Jobs Summit. Many of the execs he’s inviting are laying off people from their companies, not hiring. And some of the other execs expected to attend are stewards of companies hired by others.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I’m scratching my head as well Amy.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I think that talking to the CEOs about jobs and hiring is a great idea. They are the ones making the decisions and obviously should be involved in the conversation.
I’m confused about what your point is here. Do you think that Obama should be holding a summit with jobless Americans? With mid or entry-level employees at large companies? While the voices of both groups definitely must be taken into account in the conversation, speaking with them is not going to help companies start hiring again.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I think it would be more productive to take all the money that everyone will spend traveling there, the cost of food, etc. and give it to the unemployed.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
You know Ben, inviting the jobless to a summit would be a great idea. Why not hear from the little guys for a change. Who better to have the best interest of the jobless in mind than the jobless.
And you’re right Amy, in this day and age why don’t they just video conference in and take the money they saved and put it in a fund to go toward extending, or upping, unemployment benefits.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:17 am
Many companies would spend more on a video conferencing setup (the room, the tech, etc.) than they would save on travel in a very long time. Such systems aren’t cheap.
December 12th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Well at least he is finally doing someting. Nice to see at least one headline about the “O” looking at figuring how to lower the jobless rate vice working on a Health Care that is getting force fead through the system. Put Americans to work, stop giving handouts and stimulius.
Next step is make is profitable to be a small or even large business in the United States, stop making it easier to hire overseas.