Benghazi, IRS, Leaks -- What About Jobs? Ask National Democratic Strategist Robert Weiner And Nakia Gladden, Policy Analyst; Media Miss Americans' Focus

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Democratic strategist Robert Weiner, a former White House spokesman and senior staff for three House Committee Chairmen, and policy and research analyst Nakia Gladden are highlighting the fact that Congress and the media has focused too much on scandal and not enough on the lack of jobs available for the American people in an op-ed piece entitled "Benghazi-IRS-Leaks-Syria-Military Sex – What About Jobs?"  In an article published today in the Michigan Chronicle, they contend that jobs are "the real problem that will define our future success as a country for this entire century."  The Michigan Chronicle has six times in the last twelve years been named the nation's best African American newspaper by the National Newspaper Association.

Weiner and Gladden say, "Despite the Dow reaching all-time highs, the number of jobs available has seen no such luck." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment is at 7.5%. Though that is the lowest it has been in the last four years, the U.S. post-World War II norm is about 5% unemployment and has often been at 4% or under. We are at one-third higher unemployment -- 7.5% versus 5% -- than the norm."

Weiner and Gladden ask, "So what are the major factors contributing to the slow recovery of jobs in the US?  Outsourcing is at the top of the list.  Shipping jobs overseas for cheaper labor hinders the opportunity for job growth.  Moreover, based on recent tragic events in Bangladesh's and China's factories, lives would be saved because companies would be regulated under U.S. standards.  Unfortunately, major companies would prefer to increase their profit margins than to make those jobs available for Americans who need them. Yet U.S. company profits are not at issue—they are at all-time records. It's our jobs—the factor which helps most American families—that are at low numbers."      

Weiner and Gladden say that "there is a glimmer of hope, however.  Last week the President began a series what he calls the "Middle Class Job and Opportunity Tours." According to White House spokesman Josh Earnest, the President will visit cities exhibiting job growth to "learn what has helped them become successful and use these models of growth to encourage Congress to act."  He launched his first events in Austin, TX and Baltimore, MD. Although it is a start, we need more than just stump speeches, we need immediate action."

Weiner and Gladden also point out that "Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), the Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, has reintroduced his "Humphrey-Hawkins 21^st Century Full Employment and Training Act" and is creating a "Jobs Caucus".  The Act is a "jobs-for-all bill that would create millions of new fast track jobs and allocate billions of dollars for job training."  The bill currently has 30 cosponsors.  Hopefully, Conyers can use the same noise and clamor he used for the single payer health care bill.  It goes without saying that he made the President's health bill a better one.  He can do the same on jobs by making sure that they get included on the agenda and not just debt, deficit, austerity, and rich tax breaks."

The authors declare that "Conyers is trying.  At his weekly jobs strategy meeting, where he pulls in national, Michigan and Detroit organizations and leaders, he said that every time he sees the President – and Obama listens since Conyers was the first congressman to endorse him—Conyers tells him, "Jobs should be the number one concern.  Full employment is the single most important issue on the agenda. Jobs are the way the economy will improve, and government emphasizing employment is the way for families to come out of poverty and joblessness." 

Weiner and Gladden then point out that "Conyers is also concerned with the social ramifications of high unemployment rates.  He says, "When jobs go up, crime goes down.  Alcohol and drug use also go down."

Weiner and Gladden assert "Michigan's unemployment rate is a staggering 8.5%.  Michigan tops the list for African Americans who are unemployed at 18.7%

The authors seek to "End the debt by jobs and productivity, not by cutting programs."

Weiner and Gladden conclude by saying, "Once again, later this summer, the debt ceiling rears its ugly head.  Jobs do not seem to be at the top of the agenda of most in Congress -- they are focused more on the deficit, tax cuts, and program cuts, a spiral which we and Europe have seen in the past and now makes everything worse.  We need JOBS, not austerity.  Lest anyone think John Conyers, despite his incredible history, is not out there pitching, they should see his high energy, constant meetings, and leadership discussions pushing jobs onto the national agenda."

Contact: Bob Weiner/Richard Mann 301-283-0821, cell 202-306-1200 [email protected]

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates