OBAMA AND LABOR DAY

OBAMA AND LABOR DAY

PRESIDENT OBAMA PLANS TO COMBAT JOB CRISIS. By Wayne Hodges
WASHINGTON — As we celebrate Labor Day, let's keep in mind the domestic job market is considerably worse than what the 9.1 percent unemployment rate indicates. And recent labor statistics certainly support the claim.
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 1) Alonzo  releases his CNN video

2) Heart Surgeon discusses sex & more

3) Matt Cassel could miss home opener

4) Mass Appeal News Radio is back

5) Julee Jonez has the celebrity 411
6) 24 people shot and killed in NY

And much, much more. Back to the story.

Today, 14 million Americans are unemployed. Another 8.8 million are underemployed, meaning they are part-timers seeking full-time employment. And 2.6 million have already conceded rejection and have stopped looking for work altogether.

That equates to 26 million Americans mired in dire financial straits.
Compounding matters is the disappointing fact employers added zero net jobs for the month of August; easily the weakest output since September 2010.

"You go to all these interviews for entry-level positions, and you lose out every time," said 26-year-old Ryan McGrath, who has been unsuccessful in landing full-time work.


"Right now, finding a job is my job," said Emma Draper, 23, who lost her public relations job earlier this summer. "If that was the only thing I had to do, I'd be going insane. There is only so much time you can sit at your computer, sending out resumes."

The jobless numbers, of course, are even more grim for African-Americans. Blacks are currently inflicted with an unemployment rate of 16.1 percent; nearly double the national figure.

More food for thought:  26 percent of African Americans are underemployed. 22 percent of Hispanics are underemployed. And 15 percent of Whites are underemployed.

Nationally, roughly 4.5 unemployed people are competing for each job opening whereas under normal economic conditions, the average is two per opening.

The economic outlook is so grim, U.S. President Barack Obama has scheduled a national address for Thursday night with plans to outline an emergency blueprint to help stimulate hiring.
Good luck.

The speech, nevertheless, is coming amid constant criticism of the Obama Administration's failure to lend credence to the socioeconomic complaints of the poor, and African-Americans in particular.

With the 2012 presidential election rapidly approaching, recent polls indicate Obama has fallen completely out of favor with blacks - the same group that supported him with a 98% voter count during his campaign in 2008.

So, given that data, the national address and proposed job stimulant doesn't come as much of a surprise.
Obama is smart.

He understands re-gaining black support is imperative to securing another stint in office. If African-Americans all of a sudden feel inclined to get out and vote, Obama's hopes for re-election are doomed.  
Speaking of Obama, the general consensus among his supporters claim former president George W. Bush is the culprit primarily responsible for America's financial decline.

If most of us are in agreement Bush's policies are indeed the problem, you should be terribly discouraged in Obama's decision to extend so many of them - most notably the Bush Tax Cuts which feature significant tax incentives for the rich. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Obama supporter. But I'd like to see him get a little tougher.
Here's what one frustrated reader had to say about Obama and the prospect of a Republican being voted into office:

Javon707 says: "what would happen if one of the 'republikkkans' were to get elected? It’s not like the black community is doing any better with barry-o in office. you guys talk as if the republicans are going to round up all the blacks and put them on plantations.
 "what will happen? 

"the end of the world as we know it?

“Bush had eight years to destroy the country’s economy. And Obama is continuing Bush’s policies. So tell me what is he doing different? He (Obama) put an extra $25 dollars a week in unemployment insurance and repealed 'Dont Ask Dont Tell.' Whoopty Doo.

"Alot of us WERE obama supporters who finally seen the wolf in sheep’s clothing. We are not rightwingers. We are disappointed because the man we supported in ‘08, isnt what he campaigned.
"Now if youre still hoping for that “hope and change”, keep believing, who am I to piss in your bowl of cheerios. dont begrudge the rest of us who see the smoke and mirrors."

Wow! Anyway, please share your thoughts. Obviously, many Americans are frustrated with today's abysmal job climate. Economists have already predicted the economy won't return to pre-recession levels until the year 2020.

Hang in there America.
We only have 9 more years to go.
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He's also a contributing writer to YourBlackWorld.com, he’s a Democrat reporter for the Examiner, and he’s a film critic with ILoveBlackMovies.com. Wayne welcomes your comments 24/7 at whodges@massappealnews.com