Robert Reich on Obama's "Jobs council": enough with the fluff

[Enrique]

http://www.equitynews.info/2011/06/14/robert-reich-of-snake-oil-puff-balls-and-the-need-for-a-real-jobs-plan-from-the-president/

On Monday the president met with business leaders on his “jobs and competitiveness council,” who suggested more public-private partnerships to train workers, less government red-tape in obtaining permits, and more jobs in travel and tourism, among other things. The President then toured a manufacturing plant in North Carolina, and made an eloquent speech about the need for more jobs.

Fluff.

Doesn’t the White House get it? The president has to have a bold jobs plan, with specifics. Why not exempt the first $ 20,000 of income from payroll taxes for the next year? Why not a new WPA for the long-term unemployed, and a Civilian Conservation Corps for the legions of young jobless Americans? Why not allow people to declare bankruptcy on their primary residences, and thereby reorganize their mortgage debt?

Or a hundred other ways to boost demand.

Fluff won’t get us anywhere. In fact, it creates a policy vacuum that will be filled by Republicans intent on convincing Americans that cutting federal spending and reducing taxes on the rich will create jobs.

(...)

[ej510]

1. I agree Obama has to speak passionately, feel the pain of main street Americans.

[abelenkpe]

2. Rats, I thought for a second Robert Reich was suddenly on

Obama's job council.

I see that is not the case. Bummer cause he's right.

"public-private partnerships": yeah that's a page right out of HOOVERS book. Did wonder's for his second term didn't it?

[WillyT]

3. K & R !!!

:kick:

[ej510]

4. K&R

:kick:

[ljm2002]

5. Unfortunately, Obama is not listening to Reich et al...

...and we can see by his choices for these commissions, not to mention his own top level advisors, where his thinking is.

It's a damn shame.

[ej510]

6. Obama will follow the free market approach.

[Skidmore]

8. Clinton listened to Reich and it got us into

free marketry on steroids. Some of us haven't forgotten the signing of NAFTA.

[ljm2002]

9. I was not aware that Reich pushed for NAFTA...

...although it makes sense, given his role in the Clinton administration. (I didn't follow the financial stuff that closely during the Clinton presidency).

But I will say, I do like the ideas the Reich has been expressing lately. I wonder what he would have to say about NAFTA though. Could be interesting, if not downright maddening!

[GeorgeGist]

7. Unfortunately, Mr. Reich ...

fluff is what made Obama President.

[ProSense]

10. Interesting, but

EPI had a different take.

Wonder what Trumka has to say as a member of the council?