Obama's Job Speech

So Obama is to give a major speech on jobs and the economy to Congress tomorrow. The plan, which is expected to total over $300 billion, will include the following components:

1. Extension of Payroll Tax Cuts: this seems like a good idea, as we are such a heavily consumption based economy right now, the last thing we should do is take money out of the pockets of middle and working class Americans.

2. Infrastructure Spending: this too seems like a good idea, although unfortunately it takes time for these projects to get going and the money to be spent.

3. Aid to states to defer layoffs to teachers and first-responders. I assume Republicans will attempt to block this plan, as they have been arguing for years that we need less spending not more on education. This could certainly help.

4. Tax credits to corporations for hiring unemployed workers: I mentioned this a few days ago, and believe it is a good idea, even as it generally rewards those who were going to hire anyway. The key is hiring unemployed workers, as many companies have actually blocked even looking at anyone who doesn't currently have a job (as seen by the recent Monster.com imbroglio).

5. Extending Unemployment Aid/Training: I think this is key. We need to keep funding unemployment, but we also need to provide training so these workers can transition to new jobs. Investment in education and training are essential if we are to emerge from this malaise as a stronger country. We need skilled workers that can help us continue to lead and move into new industries.

6. Help for Struggling Homeowners: This is also important to not only help those on the edge of losing their homes (which tends to hurt them and the banks, as well as other homeowners in the area), but to restore faith that gov't can serve the interests of the people -- and not only corporations. 

One hopes this will start a trend to re-envision the role of government in our lives and bring Obama back toward the candidate that inspired hope in so many.