Obama: Job Losses A "Crisis" But Also An "Opportunity"

President-elect Barack Obama released the following statement on Friday's dismal job numbers, arguing that the economic crisis is also an opportunity.

"The 533,000 jobs lost last month, the worst job loss in 34 years, is more than a dramatic reflection of the growing economic crisis we face. Each of those lost jobs represents a personal crisis for a family somewhere in America. Our economy has already lost nearly 2 million jobs during this recession, which is why we need an Economic Recovery Plan that will save or create at least 2.5 million more jobs over two years while we act decisively to maintain the flows of credit on which so many American families and American businesses depend.

"There are no quick or easy fixes to this crisis, which has been many years in the making, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better. But now is the time to respond with urgent resolve to put people back to work and get our economy moving again. At the same time, this painful crisis also provides us with an opportunity to transform our economy to improve the lives of ordinary people by rebuilding roads and modernizing schools for our children, investing in clean energy solutions to break our dependence on imported oil, and making an early down payment on the long-term reforms that will grow and strengthen our economy for all Americans for years to come."

Comments

[Majus]

10:53 PM on 12/06/2008

A new law mandating heavy tax penalties for companies that send jobs overseas might go a long way toward re-creating jobs that have been lost -- which possibly has been more than the 2.5 million target number.

[marijam]

10:33 AM on 12/07/2008

Absolutely! What good will it do to create new jobs that then just go overseas? I've heard many a story about wind turbines being manufactured in India, because its cheaper. Cheaper is not the goal now, the goal now is to hold down costs, yes, but with workers on America shores. We also need to control the number of immigrants allowed to come to America. We'll only be asking for trouble to let them in, especially if we're headed for depression.

[ErikW65]

12:13 AM on 12/06/2008

That's right! Let's get to work rebuilding the US infrastructure, and in a smart, green way.

[orangepetal]

01:10 AM on 12/06/2008

Yeah, like some super modern public transit systems would be real sweet.

[rich misty]

03:54 AM on 12/06/2008

I hear much of the developed world has super trains... But republicans say the technology is not feasible...

I never could figure out how Europe, Japan, China and other countries have technology that republicans say cannot work.

[dawn2dusk]

08:48 PM on 12/05/2008

I saw Van Jones on Morning Joe this morning. He wrote The Green Economy.
He said until the major public works projects kick in in two years or so, all the idle workers can be put to work with a "caulking gun". That is to say that all federal/municipal/corporate buildings can be made energy efficient by changing windows, caulking drafts, repairing insulation, etc.
It can be done, the "green econonmy" is coming!

[canucklivinginUSA]

12:49 AM on 12/06/2008

Oh my god, that man is fine. Ok, I know OT, but damn...

[orangepetal]

01:13 AM on 12/06/2008

Sounds good !

[silvercreeklady]

03:05 PM on 12/05/2008

should I tell my 6 layed off former employees that this is an "Opportunty"?

[GoVeg]

06:42 PM on 12/05/2008

Yeah, tell them it's a opportunity to find a new job.

[naeldwyck]

03:24 AM on 12/06/2008

Sorry, you mean that you first mismanaged your business, then made the decision to fire a couple of people to get yourself out of your self-created mess, and now you pretend to feel sorry for them?

[silvercreeklady]

03:04 PM on 12/05/2008

Delete my post again???? I guess only postive Obama comments are allowed?

[Bouddicca]

04:54 PM on 12/05/2008

Wind yourself down angel. There are no black helicopters..

[unite4change]

09:32 PM on 12/06/2008

No just intelligent comments, not GOP talking points. I don't believe anyone out here is against capitalism. However, I don't care how much business savvy and capitalistic instinct you have, you still need capital (money). If the banks are not lending because of the economy and you don't have friend or relatives willing to lend you capital, you're not going to make it. Plus you will still need customers and most Americans are broke.

[silvercreeklady]

03:00 PM on 12/05/2008

An opportunity huh?

Tell that to the faces of my 6 family wage employees now on Unemployment!

Your stimulus public works programs will takes years to start seeing a dime in the community to anyone other than government employees!

[grata2ude]

06:43 PM on 12/05/2008

And how is Obama responsible for what has occured the past eight years to create the situation? This mess is being layed in his lap and he is choosing to be positive in his outlook. What would you have him do , throw his hands up in the air and say we are doomed.

[Awakenedcitizen]

06:57 PM on 12/05/2008

would you prefer he just said, sorry, you are all sk*d; or do you want a leader who has us see the light for the future? he didn't cause this.

[december30]

02:21 PM on 12/05/2008

After reading this article, I thought and, may I make a suggestion to America? Start today, seeing America's problems through the heart of President-elect Obama. There is always an opportunity and a blessing out of sorrow and/or hardships.

[realitychecks]

12:38 PM on 12/05/2008

Ah,to begin anew and truly rise above the ashes,as we saw in the election a collective effort by a people will bring change.

[Peter007]

12:03 PM on 12/05/2008

We have twice as many people living off a government check now as we did during Roosevelt's New Deal. If everyone works for the government? Where does the government get any money? Why didn't it work in the Soviet Union?

[izzothor]

05:13 PM on 12/06/2008

Uh, okay there are a few things wrong with this so I'll go slow for you Peter007:
1. Tell us where you got the New Deal employee numbers or admit you made them up.
2. Tell us you understand government employees actually pay taxes.
3. Tell us you understand the New Deal was a program to get the economy going by putting people to work, not as a means for the government to make money.
4. Ponder your answers, review your post, smack yourself for "posting while ignorant", and try again.

Consider yourself pwned.

[unite4change]

09:45 PM on 12/06/2008

Peter007 - please refer to the comments above for silvercreeklady. You may also need to be at one of those GOP low information websites.

[BabsfromKansas]

11:43 AM on 12/05/2008

Education, Education, Education

[thegreatgiginthesky]

11:57 AM on 12/05/2008

Amen.

[BabsfromKansas]

12:05 PM on 12/05/2008

and a few bridges, too

[DennyCrane]

04:56 PM on 12/05/2008

Tell that to the person who already has a college education, has a mortgage, kids in college or close to starting. Oh, and good luck getting a loan.

[canucklivinginUSA]

12:51 AM on 12/06/2008

True. But I do not think she was targeting that group

[brandon102]

11:33 AM on 12/05/2008

Well, certainly the job vacancies for president & VP created a wonderful opportunity for the country!

[SPQR1052]

07:57 PM on 12/05/2008

This is the absolute BEST COMMENT EVER!!! BAVO

[poco767c]

11:33 AM on 12/05/2008

There are countless new sector jobs sitting idle, still in their boxes just waiting for Americans to step up and take them. Obama is set to change the way that America powers itself, that requires an unprecedented level of manpower and ingenuity.

[silvercreeklady]

03:02 PM on 12/05/2008

post one in my area?

[canucklivinginUSA]

12:51 AM on 12/06/2008

Contact your governor.

[Rockwell]

11:32 AM on 12/05/2008

The Japanese and German states were left in ruin by WWII. From those ashes they built strong, innovative economies. By contrast the US came out of WWII stronger than when it went in. We dominated for 20 years but grew stagnant, complaicent and stale while Japan and German overtook us in quality.

Perhaps this is our chance to rise from the ashes, a different, innovative and forward thinking nation. Too much of our thinking has been stuck in the 50's and Republican's have worked hard to keep the nation there. But perhaps now is our chance to come roaring back as something new, vital and leading edge.

But, God! What a painful transition!

[thegreatgiginthesky]

11:56 AM on 12/05/2008

It will be very painful but rest assured that if we are able to change the way we power this nation we will be better off for it. We would have successfully reclaimed our future from the hands of scum like OPEC and big oil.

[jnah]

12:28 PM on 12/05/2008

I personnaly see this as a golden opportunity. It seriously put the brakes on us from heading into a brick wall. The only way to change directions is to stop in the first place.

[ImWithThatOne]

11:15 AM on 12/05/2008

Well, might as well rebuild the economy from the ground up. In its current state, it's clearly on the verge of collapse.

[Roll451]

10:57 AM on 12/05/2008

Let's aim for more than 2.5 million new jobs. The economy needs to generate at least 1.5 million new jobs a year just to keep pace with population growth.

[GhostNyc]

11:37 AM on 12/05/2008

Time for all of us to do our part - USE CONDOMS or ABSTAIN- pulling out doesn't work.
If we can control population for 2-4 years we can ease the pressure

[Purobi]

06:20 AM on 12/06/2008

Thank you.