Obama Cautious On Job Creation

Tells Virtual Town Hall The U.S. Should Focus On Future Technologies, But Growth Will Be Difficult During Economic Hardship

(CBS/AP)  President Barack Obama says job-creation in America is difficult in a time of economic hardship and that the work of the future should be in more high-paying, high-skill areas like clean energy technology.

The comment comes as the Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of new jobless claims rose to 652,000 last week. The total number of people claiming benefits for more than a week jumped 122,000 to 5.56 million, significantly higher than analysts' projections of 5.48 million and the highest on records dating back to 1967.

The Commerce Department also reported Thursday that the economy shrank at a pace of 6.3 percent for the 4th quarter of 2008.

Mr. Obama was asked at his virtual town hall meeting Thursday when people can expect a return of jobs that have been outsourced to other nations. He said the United States has suffered a "massive loss of jobs" because of the deep recession and the turmoil in the financial industry.

Mr. Obama also said many of the lost jobs in recent years involve work that was done by people getting very low wages and those with limited work skills. He said it will take some time - perhaps through the rest of the year - before vigorous hiring resumes, and that might not happen until businesses see evidence the economy is rebounding.

Mr. Obama said that "not all of these jobs are going to come back" and that may not be a bad thing.

"It probably wouldn’t be good for our economy for a bunch of these jobs to come back, because, frankly, there's no way that people could be getting paid a living wage on some of these jobs."

Mr. Obama stressed the importance of developing the "high-skilled, high-wage jobs of the future."

"That's why it's so important to train our folks more effectively and that's why it's so important for us to find new industries, building solar panels or wind turbines or the new biofuel that involve these higher-value, higher-skill, higher-paying jobs," he said.

[taryder]

Yes, why don't we ALL throw these fat cats a curve ball and start only buying products MADE IN AMERICA........NOBODY benefits from all the cheap JUNK!!!!! made in China except for the exec utives at Mattel, Kroger Fred Meyer, Rite Aid, etc, etc, ad nauseum! Some people have even been poisoned by some of this stuff!.....you know, something called MELAMINE, and who knows WHAT OTHER PLASTICS, CHEMICALS, etc.

THESE GUYS (the company executives,owners) have become filthy, filthy rich buying cheap junk and selling it to us. Has anyone looked at the prices right now of items at Kroger Fred Meyer. It is ALL cheap stuff from China, which I'm sure, Kroger paid PENNIES on the dollar for, and turns around and sells it at fairly high prices to us!!!....Look at their prices now. It is OUTRAGEOUS......d'ya think they're having the last laugh again? or what!!!
We are the DUMMIES by continuing to give them our business. How about a BOYCOTT. THAT!!! ALWAYS worked in the 60s!!!
Companies ONLY CHANGE when it hits THEIR pocket-books.

We could actually have good paying jobs at FACTORIES making things in America. THAT is what America USED TO DO........make things.....T.Vs., radios, refrigerators, toys, clothes, etc, etc

[impeachbhb]

I thought the Stimuporkulus legislation was supposed to create a couple of million jobs. Didn't Barak and Joe say there were "shovel ready" projects ready to go?

[realnews12]

Killing the unborn is not a civil right, it is a barbaric practice engaged in by stupid, self-absorbed, predatory women. It is tolerated in only the most backward, violent and corrupt societies.

Posted by dowell100 at 1:38 PM : Mar 26, 2009

You are misinformed. Abortion "on demand" (meaning it is entirely a woman's choice, no particular reason need be given) is LEGAL (as of 2007) in the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Rep., Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Italy, Kazakstan, N. Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, S. Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikstan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia. A few of these countries restrict it to the 1st or 2nd trimester.

MANY MORE countries allow abortion for various reasons, like to preserve the physical or mental health of the mother, if the fetus is malformed, in cases of rape or incest, or if the mother cannot support another child.

There are only 5 countries in the world which do not permit abortion under ANY circumstances. They are: Chile, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Malta, and Vatican City.

[sjc_1]

It has been said that small business has created most of the jobs the last 20 years. I read that there are more than 20 million small businesses in the U.S. I would assume that includes all the small stores that you can see in the strip malls around suburban areas.

If the credit freeze does not flaw soon, we are going to see a lot of these businesses go under. It will not make the news like a big corporate layoff announcement, but it will be wide spread and people WILL take notice.

[Mr_know_it]

Proper taxation is also necessary! SALES TAX, GAS TAX, UTILITIES TAX, and CORPORATE TAX (sliding scale as to profits) would suffice in paying off the several TRILLION DOLLARS of debt. Furthermore, the appropriate TARIFFS on goods (STEEL amongst other items) exported to other countries would also off-set the deficit! All theses taxes are CONSTITUTIONAL! INCOME TAX should be cut in half along with inheritance TAX! Both INCOME TAX and INHERITANCE TAX are controversial TAXES and possibly violate the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION at ARTICLE V! CONGRESS should regulate UTILITIES and GASOLINE (OIL); therefore, when GASOLINE and UTILITIES are TAXED, there is NOT a substantial burden to the PUBLIC!

CONSTRUCTION needs to be addressed more! CONGRESS needs to initiate more construction contracts to rebuild the infrastructure of the UNITED STATES! Also, there needs to be additional funding to local (STATE and COUNTY) construction!

CONGRESS needs to pay-off all STATE deficits, especially CALIFORNIA! This will cost several BILLION DOLARS; however, it would be worth the effort!

CONGRESS needs to screen and loan funds to certain businesses to shore-up the economy. This will keep said businesses functioning while jobs are created to produce consumer spending!!!! This is the primary factor as to the solution--consumer spending!

[Mr_know_it]

Proper taxation is also necessary! SALES TAX, GAS TAX, UTILITIES TAX, and CORPORATE TAX (sliding scale as to profits) would suffice in paying off the several TRILLION DOLLARS of debt. Furthermore, the appropriate TARIFFS on goods (STEEL amongst other items) exported to other countries would also off-set the deficit! All theses taxes are CONSTITUTIONAL! INCOME TAX should be cut in half along with inheritance TAX! Both INCOME TAX and INHERITANCE TAX are controversial TAXES and possibly violate the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION at ARTICLE V! CONGRESS should regulate UTILITIES and GASOLINE (OIL); therefore, when GASOLINE and UTILITIES are TAXED, there is NOT a substantial burden to the PUBLIC!

CONSTRUCTION needs to be addressed more! CONGRESS needs to initiate more construction contracts to rebuild the infrastructure of the UNITED STATES! Also, there needs to be additional funding to local (STATE and COUNTY) construction!

CONGRESS needs to pay-off all STATE deficits, especially CALIFORNIA! This will cost several BILLION DOLARS; however, it would be worth the effort!

CONGRESS needs to screen and loan funds to certain businesses to shore-up the economy. This will keep said businesses functioning while jobs are created to produce consumer spending!!!! This is the primary factor as to the solution--consumer spending!

[Mr_know_it]

The proof that GOD changed GOD'S LAW centers around the absolute FACT that former president George W. Bush Jr. was going to invade IRAN during 2006; and former president George W. Bush Jr. was not ruling out the possibility of the use of NUCLEAR WEAPONS, concerning the invasion! IRAN was absolutely the "TRIGGER" that was to initiate the NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST (Russia and China against the UNITED STATES) that would have destroyed the UNITED STATES in one hour by FIRE (BIBLE/REVELATIONS chapters 17 and 18). The BOOK OF DANIEL has an abstract version located in DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4 [when the wings of the EAGLE are removed a man shall arise]. CORRECT INTERPRETATION (DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4): When the UNITED STATES is "DESTROYED", the ANTI-CHRIST will arise in EUROPE ("EUROPEAN UNION"). Furthermore, the exact alignment of EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were absolutely necessary for everything to take place. EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were in exact alignment during 2006 (year of "DARKNESS"/June 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.)! Since the UNITED STATES is still here the inevitable did not occur (2006); therefore, GOD changed destiny after GOD changed GOD'S LAW!

[Mr_know_it]

The proof that GOD changed GOD'S LAW centers around the absolute FACT that former president George W. Bush Jr. was going to invade IRAN during 2006; and former president George W. Bush Jr. was not ruling out the possibility of the use of NUCLEAR WEAPONS, concerning the invasion! IRAN was absolutely the "TRIGGER" that was to initiate the NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST (Russia and China against the UNITED STATES) that would have destroyed the UNITED STATES in one hour by FIRE (BIBLE/REVELATIONS chapters 17 and 18). The BOOK OF DANIEL has an abstract version located in DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4 [when the wings of the EAGLE are removed a man shall arise]. CORRECT INTERPRETATION (DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4): When the UNITED STATES is "DESTROYED", the ANTI-CHRIST will arise in EUROPE ("EUROPEAN UNION"). Furthermore, the exact alignment of EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were absolutely necessary for everything to take place. EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were in exact alignment during 2006 (year of "DARKNESS"/June 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.)! Since the UNITED STATES is still here the inevitable did not occur (2006); therefore, GOD changed destiny after GOD changed GOD'S LAW!

[Mr_know_it]

I stated before that GOD did change GOD'S LAW during 2006. This change would only affect the other 99.9% that were absolutely destined to go back to the abyss after their transition back to immortality. Basically, the change in GOD'S LAW affected "DARKNESS", which included the MASONS/SKULLS. The message was NOT for the CHRISTIANS; they were already "SAVED"!

Since GOD changed GOD'S LAW, there is adequate change for change to take place. The destruction of certain individuals is NOT necessary anymore! Therefore, everything can take a new direction! Things that could not be changed before can be changed now!

[Dave_P6]

Consumer spending increased last month and Dow Jones keeps going up up up. GoBama!

[valh1]

Mr. Obama said that "not all of these jobs are going to come back" and that may not be a bad thing.

"It probably wouldn?t be good for our economy for a bunch of these jobs to come back, because, frankly, there's no way that people could be getting paid a living wage on some of these jobs."

Now, that is leadership! Only 5.5 million out of work! We don't need no stinking jobs!

[lost_america]

It?s not just Barry, George II, Bill Clinton, and George I are all globalists.

The jobs have been going overseas for twenty years.

Democrats and Republicans are equally to blame on this issue.

It has all been driven by corporate greed and this new generation of robber barons.

They are the ones in the shadows pulling the strings. They don?t want a living wage anywhere, they want the lowest wage possible. They will go to the ends of the earth to find it.

They will however get their 30% raise and million dollar bonus this year

But, in truth they need the money, congressman and presidents don?t come cheap these days.

[TJ57A]

That is not the truth the jobs were not low paying unless you count people making $50K to $80K a year low paying. He needs to stop the work that supports people and companies in America from going offshore. If India has the growth in their country then fine buut sending tax paying jobs that support work performed here is BS. Low Paying Jobs that's not the truth just what corporate America wants everyone to believe

[lost_america]

Mr. Obama said that "not all of these jobs are going to come back" and that may not be a bad thing.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Not a bad thing if you are a CEO who got bonus this year because you sent your IT worker's job to Bangalore.

However, if you are one of those workers it is a bad thing.....

[lost_america]

Mr. Obama said that "not all of these jobs are going to come back" and that may not be a bad thing.

"It probably wouldn?t be good for our economy for a bunch of these jobs to come back, because, frankly, there's no way that people could be getting paid a living wage on some of these jobs."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bad thing not bad? Gee, I was making 70k a year, My company has turned a profit every year, Sounds like we all were getting a living wage. Now that my job has gone to India, I guess someone else up the food chain gets to live a little more

I'm 48 years old, time to start over making solar panals and windmills

[mccaino8nc]

LOL! Not usually, as long as they aren't trying to say it should be the foundation of the US. The thing I find funny is how immediately they get un-christian when riled... I am a bit of a poly-theist, personally. I think everyone should have a belief, especially if it helps them - just don't like them getting holier-than-thou about it!

And yes, having a bit of fun in the process, I'll admit ;)
Posted by slownewsday02


Having fun is what this is all about some time some of the hard core people will realize they are not going to change anyones mind and this is a place to state ones opinions. As i just said opinions are like butts everyone has one and everyone has a right to express that opinion.

It just amazes me how now that the almighty leader Obama is elected no ones is entitled to desenting opinion either you agree with crack pot ideas or you anti american. I have to say alot of his policies are anti american. It amazes me everyone hates bush for causing so much debt but then praises Obama for spending 3 times as much as Bush did his whole term in just 60 days.

[mccaino8nc]

mccaino8nc
Killing babies...just another example that your outsated belifes exactly that...outdated. A woman has the right to choose wether she wants a kid or not. And not u or ur religion can do anything about it! Get over it...civil rights trumps religion! PERIOD!
Posted by timmy-x13


I am no christian don't even believe in god. But I beleive abortion is murder and with the creation of the Plan B pill abortion should be out lawed. Using Plan B a women has 36 hours to decide if she made a mistake in having sex after that it is a living life and she should be tried for murder if ahe kills. Plan simple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mccaino8nc]

Well, I hope your telepathy with your imaginary friend makes you feel better. Doesn't quite beat actual action, though, does it?
Posted by slownewsday02

Dang Slownews being a little hard on the christians these days aren't you? lol

[mccaino8nc]

By the way, there really are some Democrat Christians.
Posted by oldstuff4sure

I am no christian but have gone to church quite a bit . Democrat and christian really don't mix when democrats are for murduring babies. I do know that in the bible it states life begins at inception so for you to be a true christian and believe in the bible it would be mighty hard for to be a democrat and to vote for Obama who beleives the only good baby is a dead baby. Everyone of his policies shows this is what he beleives.

[mccaino8nc]

I guess It's just second nature to call it like it is....sorry, if it offends you....do you tell the Democrats to stop using Neo-Con, Cons, Republitards and other derrogatory names ?
Posted by Joe-NY-4

No worries - just asking you to consider that your point about promoting division was in itself divisive.

And yes, I do harp on the terms neo-con, etc, when they are also rashly applied.
Posted by slownewsday02


Division is not always bad people have their own believes and opinions if we don't beleive in the policies of this president we have a right to express our opinions of it. Just as the loony left had a right to call for president bush to be tried and hanged while we were fighting 2 wars. Yes it was not a a very supportive statement and yes it was divisive but it was thier right to do so.

The left needs to get off their high horse we do not like this bumbling under qualified idiot we have for a predisent if that its a divisive statement oh well. It is the truth it was said before he won the election, the president office is no place for on the job training. Even world leaders are realizing it when they call him an ignoramous and say his policies bring us one step coser to hell