A Nov. 6 Associated Press headline was alarming: “Obama: Gov’t working to ease pain of joblessness.”
President Barack Obama’s administration’s goal is to create 3.5 million jobs, which will completely miss the mark from what the economy actually needs, according to USA Today. About $1.5 billion was spent in Utah to save or create 6,598 jobs in schools as well as contractor and government agency positions. Divided out, it cost taxpayers $227,341.60 per job, according to www.recovery.gov. It goes without saying, the person working in that “saved” job isn’t receiving a quarter million dollar salary. Certainly we can’t afford the wasted spending the government indulges in to maintain jobs.
Two weeks ago, the White House tooted its horn saying Obama’s stimulus package is working because it created or saved 640,000 jobs this year8212;that tackles 4 percent of the 15.7 million unemployed. One week ago, Obama soberly reported that the national unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent (6.2 percent in Utah). Economists believe the unemployment rate is still growing and could reach 10.5 percent in the nation before the end of the year. Spending us into obscurity, Obama’s promise for change seems to be taking America down a road best left untraveled.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that since the beginning of the recession in December 2007, job openings have decreased from 4.4 million to 2.4 million, while the number of unemployed persons grew from 7.5 million to 15.7 million. Given this data, the unemployed only have a 15 percent chance of finding a job.
The government doesn’t like the private sector because it is driven by profits rather than the “greater good,” and the private sector detests the government getting in its way. Pouring salt into an open wound happens when elected officials don’t listen to their constituents, deciding they know best. These officials pass bills requiring billions of dollars in new funding. With inflated egos, they refuse taking the tried-and-proven course of smaller government with tax reductions for citizens and business owners. With more available money, capitalists take the risks necessary to create new business, and thus, new jobs. The private sector, not stimulus spending, will drive new hires. The government pumping money into unsustainable positions and borrowing from our children is untenable and unsustainable.
Pushing irresponsible decisions through Congress in the form of convoluted, confusing 1,900-page bills is not only missing the mark, it further fuels America’s unhealthy appetite for buy-now, pay-later strategies. America is facing a serious onslaught of issues that must be met with personal accountability, hard work and letting the people develop solutions, not being force-fed by a socialist-oriented government.
“I will not rest until all Americans who want work can,” Obama said.
“Unless the Chicago Bulls are playing or I have a one-night, $24,000 date in New York with my wife,” he should add.
Willus Branham/The Daily Utah Chronicle