Saturday, October 31, 2009

President's Weekly Address: Milestones on the Economy and the Recovery Act

From the White House web site:

While there is nothing to celebrate until job numbers turn around, the President cites the recent dramatic turnaround in gross domestic product as a sign of better things to come. He also applauds the fact that the Recovery Act has now created or saved more than a million jobs.


I can attest to the fact there are jobs being created. When I traveled not only did I see the wind farms being built there were roads being rebuilt but there are buildings and houses being built everywhere between my home and Chicago.. That's 500 miles of rebuilding. My uncle and I talked that the entire state of Illinois was under construction. Iowa was almost that bad.

One of the things that I found was really neat about Iowa.. all of the rest areas in Iowa had wireless internet in them. Yep, Iowa is getting to the modern era a lot faster than some of our other more forward states...lol.

Just 15 miles from me, they built a new Target Store.. and there is another one only 9 miles from it.. So don't tell me we are in too bad a shape if they can do that. Not to mention the fact the intersection where the store is, has a Home Depot, Wal-Mart and more restaurants than you can count. There is so much traffic there they have had to rebuild it into a 4 lane street and are now redoing it again and making it into a 6 lane because it is so busy. This is a new street that wasn't even a through street 10 years ago, it was just a by way to get to the hospital. Now it is a major street and has grown into a through-way almost.

So contrary to what the media would have people to believe, there is growth in our economy in places. There has been very little slow down here in Missouri that I have seen. The construction has gone on all the time, roads were built, new stores were opened and people still shopped every day.

But, enough.. you want to hear the president.. so here he is....

8 comments:

Sue said...

the one place in our country that must change is manufacturing. Many say our manufacturing will never come back and that is disgraceful. I come from a bluecollar working family and to see all our products made overseas is disheartening. In NJ and Delaware there is alot of roadwork and building going on. The GM plant in DE looks like it'll be opening back up thanks to Biden. But a major blow to NJ is the Sunoco refinery closing its gates. They say they will not sell and will reopen as demand for crude comes back. I sure hope that happens soon! So, am I hopeful? YES I AM!!

Annette said...

I agree our manufacturing has to start back.. but part of the wind farms and solar energy plan is just that. All the parts that are made for them is made here in this country. In fact some of the parts are made in my home state, some in other parts of the country I know. So, the green energy is just one step in bringing back our jobs and our manufacturing base. We just have to keep pushing those things.

morb320 said...

There are also signs of recovery in GA: some new small businesses, road construction, money for the Pre-K program, and news that another Target will be built on the other side of town. The president gave the good news, warned that we still have a way to go before reaching full recovery, expressed concern for the unemployed, stated his continued interest in the middle class and small business owners. I thought it was a good point to highlight his visit to Florida and how it will create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources. Of course Rush Limbaugh has said that the GDP numbers are false. I don't expect Fuchs Noose to report the good news about the economy.
Thanks, Annette. I always look forward to your posts.

Sue said...

good point Annette! Same with the auto industry, when thats back up and running full force its spread all across the country with job growth, demand for car parts etc.

Annette said...

Thank Majii, for letting me know it is more than just one or two states that is seeing the movement in the economy.. Like I said you won't hear the media say it.. they keep saying they don't see the cranes moving or the construction.. I swear Tweety lives in a bubble.. as does Ed Schultz most of the time.. He may be of the People as he says but some of them must be some ignorant people who are giving him his talking points.

Sue, that's why I was so excited about the Wind Energy.. it just makes sense that building them and maintaining them will create jobs.. as the president pointed out when he was pushing them last year in the campaign.. this has to be part of our way forward.. it only makes sense.

themom said...

I agree with Sue on the manufacturing. We have/had the largest steel mills in this area (Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel), which sold out to a Danish company and then closed, putting thousands out of work. When they talk about rebuilding on the site of the twin towers - these steel mills could easily produce ALL the necessary materials. But oh no - they will contract with China!!! their steel products have proven to be inferior, but no talks are being held here. This is frustrating. I chalk a lot of this up to NAFTA!

Annette said...

Yes, we have to get manufacturing back. Like I said it will if we can get this wind and solar energy going like it needs to be.. That's just one part of what we need to do in order to get our economy back on track and get our jobs back in this country.

mommapolitico said...

Thanks for the weekly address, Annette. Y'know, I believe there is growth. But I think in places like California, people have a hard time seeing it. When teachers are losing jobs and no relief in sight (Thanks, Ah-nuld, thanks a ton for screwing California royally...), it's hard for people to see it happening.

I agree with everyone that we need to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. in a big way. In addition to jobs, it's a national security issue - if there is nothing to retool for war manufacturing, (A la WWII level production), then we're putting our security at risk. And of course, getting manufacturing back, we need costs to go down, which brings us back to health care. A truly universal coverage, or even a Medicare for All type plan would lower costs for manufacturers, therefore more manufacturers...hey...let's have them make wind power parts! (Like how it came full circle there???) ;)

You're on a roll, Girlfriend - keep those great posts coming!