Hello my fellow Americans. This installment of Realistically Speaking is a very special one and I hope it reaches further than before. As you may know our President is attempting to pass a $447 billion jobs bill, which has been stopped twice by Republican senators, and a few Democrats. The bill is projected to stimulate job growth, especially in the construction industry, as well as prevent teacher layoffs and home foreclosures; provide tax cuts for small businesses; offer tax incentives to hire veterans; a $4,000 tax credit for employers to hire the long-term unemployed; payroll tax cuts; funds to rehab roads, railways and airports; and an overhaul of unemployment insurance.
Now the revised bill is just about six pages long and outlines these initiatives:
- Tax Cuts to Help Small Businesses Hire and Grow-- To drive companies to hire more workers, the bill would cut payroll tax in half for 98% of businesses, in addition to, completely eliminating payroll taxes for companies hiring workers or increasing wages. States will also be empowered to implement wage insurance to help reemploy older workers and programs to make it easier for unemployed workers to start their own businesses. These steps provide incentives for new investment in the U.S.
- Putting Workers Back on the Job-- This initiative is long overdue. The ability to put veterans back to work—the “Returning heroes” tax credit will reward businesses with $5,600-$9,500 per veteran hired. The bill will also keep 280,000 teachers employed and modernize 35,000 schools across the country. To prevent close to 5 million Americans looking for work from losing their benefits, the proposed innovative work-based reforms will prevent layoffs and give states flexibility to use unemployment funds to support job-seekers. The bill is slated to also expand job opportunities for low-income youth and adults through subsidized employment, innovative training programs and summer/year-round jobs for youth.
3. Rebuild America-- To promote fair and even contract awards, Project Rebuild, will put blue collard workers back on the job rehabbing communities, businesses and homes, helping to breathe life back into desolate neighborhoods.
- Tax Relief for Every American Worker and Family—During this recession families have been struggling to make ends meet. The President’s plan will cut payroll taxes in half for 160 million workers next year-providing a $1,500 tax cut to the typical American family, without negatively impacting the Social Security Trust Fund. To stop foreclosures, Americans would be allowed to refinance their mortgages at today’s near 4 percent interest rates, which can put more than $2,000 a year in a family’s pocket.
Now upon looking over this bill you would believe the President is pro big business because the majority of this bill is geared to stimulate growth and reward businesses for hiring employees. But looking deeper it is written with our needs in mind, potentially returning 2 million people to work by next year in hopes of jump starting the economy by injecting new taxpayers. With the tax dollars generated from the returned workers and the pension, social security and Medicare taxes it would tremendously assist the suffering economy.
Keeping first and emergency responders employed is very important. They are the ones charged with our safety. Firefighters needless to say are responsible for countless lives saved outside of fire related catastrophes. Keeping teachers employed and upgrading schools will ensure our future generations are equipped to compete on a global scale.
Realistically speaking, a good amount of Republicans and Democrats are unhappy with the way the President is handling the economic recovery and feels he has not done enough for us, but ask yourself this, “What Have You Done to Support our President?” By this I mean collectively we the public have the power to choose our senate leaders governed by the 26th Amendment we are tasked with the job of choosing who represents our interests as a whole. So far our senate leaders have not been operating on our behalf, but by their own agendas. We have the power to choose who represents us, and how they represent us. Our communities suffer when we let things happen and willingly hand over our rights. Grab a hold of yours and exercise them. Call, write, and send emails to your Senator to support the Jobs Bill now!
