Thom Hartmann: The American Jobs Act

Run time: 10:40 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jafcy8Q7u1s   Posted on YouTube: September 09, 2011 By YouTube Member: TheBigPictureRT Views on YouTube: 110   Posted on DU: September 09, 2011 By DU Member: thomhartmann Views on DU: 550

 
Eric Burns, Bullfight Strategies joins Thom Hartmann. Republicans had their chance last night - and President Obama had his chance tonight. Unfortunately - the Republicans squandered their chance to talk jobs during their debate last night - and instead focused on more massive tax breaks for billionaires - calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme - bashing Mitt Romney's successful healthcare program in Massachusetts - denying global warming - and bragging about how many people Rick Perry's executed in Texas. So tonight it was up to the adult in the room - President Obama to pitch HIS jobs plan to Congress - he called it the "American Jobs Act" It comes complete with tax cuts for employers who hire new workers - or raise the salaries of their current workers. Tax cuts for companies who hire military veterans. Tax cuts for companies who hire people who've been unemployed for more than 6 months. It invests in repairing and modernizing over 35,000 schools - it rehabilitates communities hardest hit by foreclosure - and jump-starts transportation infrastructure projects all around the nation. It puts thousands of teachers back to work. And on an individual basis - it extends the payroll tax cut. The plan also extends unemployment benefits for another year. The President claims the American Jobs Act will create jobs for construction workers, teachers, veterans, and give the long-term unemployed a shot at collecting a paycheck too. The President promised this bill will be completely paid for - by asking the Super Committee Gang of 12 to find additional savings on top of the $1.5 trillion they are already tasked with cutting. He also pledged to introduce his own deficit reduction plan in two weeks. And he told Republicans it's time to put politics aside - that these are all policies they have supported in the past - and that this bill must be passed now. So will they pass it? And will it work?

The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann on RT TV & FSTV "live" 9pm and 11pm check www.thomhartmann.com/tv for local listings