WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said Wednesday that “building America from the middle out” is an idea that he hopes Americans share with him.
The president is planning a speaking tour where he will be “talking about my ideas for building on the cornerstones of middle-class security: Good jobs with good wages.”
Obama spoke about the foundation of the American dream.
“The basic bargain of this country says that if you work hard, you can get ahead — you can build a secure life for your family, and know that your kids will do even better someday.
“But for more than a decade, that bargain has frayed, and a devastating recession made it worse,” the president stated.
“Over the past four and a half years, America has fought its way back, laying a new foundation for more durable economic growth. But many of the challenges that faced the middle class before the recession remain. And Washington has taken its eye off the ball.
“Too many people in this town are focused on scoring political points or fanning phony scandals instead of finding ways to help grow our economy, create jobs, or roll back a 30-year trend of rising inequality.
“It’s time for that to stop. It’s time for all of us to focus on our top priority as a country, and that’s reigniting the engine of our prosperity: a rising, thriving middle class.
“That’s what I just said while speaking at Knox College, back home in Illinois, where I kicked off a series of speeches on what truly matters to the middle class.
“If building America from the middle out is an idea you share, I need you to stand with me. Add your voice to mine.
“This has been my North Star for as long as I’ve been in office, and it’s what will shape the time that I have left in the White House.”
The president elaborated on a speaking tour he is planning in the near future.
“In the weeks ahead, in towns across the country, I’ll be talking about my ideas for building on the cornerstones of middle-class security: Good jobs with good wages. An education that prepares our children and our workers for a new economy. A home to call your own. Affordable health care when you get sick. A secure retirement even if you’re not rich. A better bargain for the middle class, and for all who are striving to join it.”
4ever49, you fell right into Sica’s trap, he totally changed the subject of this article.
Sika set a trap? Why don’t you elaborate on her devious design? I was merely responding to her post.
Sika, what does you comment have anything to do about this story? Nothing! Obama said Washington for taking its eye off the ball as if he has not been the president for 4 and a half years now. He has lead this charge and has gotten his way, the republicans have no power at all. This economy is exactly what Obama wants.
Sigh.
Obama deported more than one and a half times as many illegals in his first term alone than Bush did in BOTH his terms. His admin is on track to deport the most illegal immigrants in history.
Obama cannot do anything with Glass-Steagal. Congress has to. Guess who took it apart? Does rubber face Phil Gramm sound familiar? How about Jim Leach? Tom Bliley? All three REPUBS who gutted the Democrat Glass-Steagal and let the big banks run wild.
I also don’t know what you think Obama can do about the AMA. Perhaps you have some secret plan.
And you’d better read up on the sludge tar that big oil in Canada is trying to shortcut through our country to get to other countries. It’s nasty, is dangerous and it serves no benefit to this country other than a few jobs to build the line. No value – huge risk.
We need to get rid of the Bush tax cuts – that and the unfunded wars he got us into are what brought this country to its knees. We need more income, not less spending. But as long as the Koch boys run the GOP we’ll never see logical bills put forth.
But keep blaming Obama if it makes you feel better. It is much easier than actually looking up the facts.
Sika – so he deported more, but continues to let them in – if that makes sense to you it’s a pity.
He could prod Congress to get something like Glass-Steagall back on the books. Both parties were involved in this & Clinton signed it.
As to AMA, he could develop a backbone and promote more competition into the health care field starting with personnel. Nothing secret here just normal market forces at work.
I did read up on tar sands (a/k/a “sludge” to you). The jobs in refining would increase. The end products would be sold on the world market as they would anywhere in the world.
Yes – I will keep blaming Obama as he is an abject failure as a leader. He is nothing more than a warmed over Chicago political hack that among other things bailed out ShoreBank to the tune of $380 million and the auto industry by screwing the bond holders and non-union workers then stuck the taxpayers with the bill. He has overseen a doubling of those on food stamps and even has USDA Spanish language flyers promoting food stamps to illegals – which are available through the Mexican government.
Happy shopping in the retail hub known as Algona.
More campaign speeches when what is needed is leadership. He could start off with actually enforcing the law as regards illegal immigrants who take jobs and soak up our tax dollars in freebies.
He could actually do some good in the financial arena by reinstating a Glass-Segal prohibition of Wall Street brokers owning banks.
Affordable health care in the long run could be assisted by getting medical & nursing schools to double their output. Right now the AMA holds sway over much of this area. Nothing like a surplus of talent to drive down prices.
Energy independence could be more likely with approval of projects like the Keystone pipeline from Canada to Texas. The private market has already bolstered our position with a vast increase in natural gas reserves – no thanks to the Obama administration.
He calls for all sorts of “investments” – which means more spending and borrowing. It’s the borrowing half of this equation we do not need more of. Our borrowing is so high that the dollar’s position as a sovereign currency could be called into question.