DONATE TO THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT

http://occupyus.tumblr.com/donate

WE ARE THE 99 PERCENT

This link is a must see; http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

 

People Coming from All Over Minnesota to Meet, Discuss and Decide at Occupy MN Event

I am looking forward to meeting concerned citizens in my state, deciding together what changes need to be made and how to make them. People from all over MN

will begin "Occupying" at;

                            The Hennepin County Government Center Plaza
                                               (The People's Plaza)
                                                 300 South 6th Street
                                                        Minneapolis, MN 55487-0999                    

on Friday, October 7th, 2011 9 A.M. thru whenever we are finished. Days, weeks,

months...

More info at; "Official" Mpls, and MN #OccupyWallStreet Site Better yet, come

 down, find out yourself and be a voice.                         

                             "Official" Donate to Occupy Minnesota in Mpls.

                               Occupy MPLS, MN on Youtube;Occupy TV 

What do You Think of the Occupy Wall Street Protests?

It is clear to me that many don't understand the new movement, #OccupyWallStreet. I have seen reporters  give their opinions and opinions, of course, vary. I am getting involved because I want America to be united once more (hence my blog's name). I don't want the "sides" that we have seen between "Left", "Right", "Democrat". "Republican, "Liberal", Conservative", etc. I believe reform is necessary in order to once more have a Government of the People, by the People, and for the People. I look forward to having honest, open, respectful conversations with many Americans from all walks, economic classes, political views, etc. Together, we will find viable solutions for everyone's concerns. This is not about BEING right or wrong it is about doing what is right which is voted on by all willing to be involved. Everyone is welcome.

Please comment and tell me your opinion!

"If the People Lead, the Leaders will Follow." ~ Mahatma Ghandi 

"The Banks got Bailed Out - We got Sold Out" ~ Occupiers

Here is information to see for yourself;

Find a meeting near you

                           

 "Official" Youtube Channel, OccupyTV

 The Demand is a Process, General Assembly

Here are some of my favorite informative links;

http://anonops.blogspot.com/

http://occupymanifesto.proboards.com/index.cgi?

The Eight Rules

Here are links to sites maintained by the original "Occupiers" in New York. I recommend checking these for updates to see for yourself what is happening;

"Official" #OccupyWallStreet Page by AdBusters

"Official" #OccupyWallStreet Page

"Official" NYC #OccupyWallStreetGeneral Assembly

"Official" NYC #OccupyWallStreet Donation Page

"Official" #OccupyWallStreet #OccupyTogether

"Official" #OccupyWallStreet on Reddit

"Official" Facebook Event Page for #OccupyWallStreet in Zuccotti Park

There are hundreds of "Official" Facebook Pages for individual cities, internationally!

"Official" #OccupyWallStreet on Tumblr

"Official" Live Stream from #OccupyWallStreet #OWL

"Official" International Events in Solidarity with #OccupyWallStreet #OWS

IMO - Being as there are no leaders and everyone's voice matters, I call these sites, "Official" meaning that those that have already chosen to be involved have together chosen to put this information online. Other sites are personal opinions that matter but do not necessarily speak for the consensus.

We Need Jobs

I Copied E-mail from Richard Trumka;

We need jobs. Not unfair trade agreements. Millions of people who are ready, willing and able to work are unemployed or underemployed. But instead of focusing on job creation, Congress is getting ready to take up unfair, job-offshoring trade deals. With more than 25 million people desperately searching for full-time jobs, the last thing our leaders should focus on is these unfair trade deals. It’s the wrong thing to do, and it’s a huge distraction from our jobs crisis. Tell Congress: Get moving on jobs, and drop these unfair trade deals. Then, be ready to join our national call-in day this Tuesday. With your help, we’ll make our voices heard by flooding Congress with calls and messages. Here’s why the three pending trade agreements are a bad deal for working families: The Korea agreement is the biggest trade deal since NAFTA. It would displace an estimated 159,000 net U.S. jobs, mostly in manufacturing.    Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists. So how can we reward it with a free trade agreement? In 2010, 51 trade unionists were assassinated in Colombia—more than in the rest of the world combined. So far in 2011, another 22 have been killed, despite Colombia’s heralded “Labor Action Plan.” Would we reward a country where 51 CEOs were killed last year?    And Panama, with a history of failing to protect workers’ rights, is known as a tax haven for money launderers and tax dodgers. Past trade deals like NAFTA have been miserable failures for working people—and these new deals follow in NAFTA’s footsteps. Working people need to make our voices heard. Please e-mail Congress now. Then get ready to join our national call-in day this Tuesday. With your help, we’ll flood Congress with calls and messages to make our voices heard. In Solidarity, Richard L. Trumka President, AFL-CIO

To find out more about the AFL-CIO, please visit our website at www.aflcio.org.

When a person takes food from millions then feeds two, does it make up for the millions that were hurt?

I was told that Tea Party Conservatives donate, therefore, don't have a selfish agenda. I disagree.
Taxes are lower than they have been in a long time.
Baby boomers are retiring and having health issues. We knew the costs were going to rise.
Debt was created (before Obama) with high interest. We knew these costs were going to rise.
Wars were created. We knew these costs were going to rise.
We went into a recession in 2007. 2008 we were rapidly headed for a depression. We knew revenue would shrink. We knew more and more would be jobless. We knew more and more would be hungry. We knew more and more would be homeless.
So the answer was to lower taxes on people whose buying power is not increased? To provide already profitable companies with tax dollars? To make up for these tax dollar give aways to the wealthiest by telling these newly poverty stricken Americans too bad, so sad?
To tell companies they have an entire country willing to join the third world and be slave labor so they can add more to their already overabundance?
"Superior moral justification for selfishness"

The Modern Conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness" - John Kenneth Galbraith

The Stimulus Hasn't Worked?

"The Stimulus hasn't worked"? I have heard several make this false claim. I have seen Paul Ryan and others take a sentence here and there from CBO reports then mangle the entire message of the reports to suit their own agenda. The CBO is either credible or not credible. According to the CBO, the Stimulus Package, overall, has been very effective. There are portions that need to be improved upon but Congress refuses. Here is the most recent reporthttp://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/123xx/doc12385/08-24-ARRA.pdf
There are past reports available at http://www.cbo.gov/.

Read for yourself.

CBO estimates that ARRA’s policies 
had the following effects in the second quarter 
of calendar year 2011 compared with what would have 
occurred otherwise:
 They raised real (inflation-adjusted) gross domestic 
product (GDP) by between 0.8 percent and 
2.5 percent, 
 Lowered the unemployment rate by between 
0.5 percentage points and 1.6 percentage points,
 Increased the number of people employed by between 
1.0 million and 2.9 million, and
 Increased the number of full-time-equivalent jobs by 
1.4 million to 4.0 million, as shown in Table 1. 
(Increases in FTE jobs include shifts from part-time to 
full-time work or overtime and are thus generally

A Few of the Many Things I Am Appreciative Of

In 2009, President Obama took the already written TARP program and made changes to it that made banks pay back what they had received. I remember many people angered that Congress chose to give tax dollars to the banks that created this mess. Do these same people appreciate Obama getting this money back?

President Obama added to TARP help for citizens that had been taken advantage of by lending institutions. The Affordable Home Mortgage Program. People were angered that banks, who created this mess were bailed out by tax dollars. Do these same people appreciate that Obama made some of this money go to citizens to help keep them in their homes and help the economy? The US is also suing the banks to get the money back.

Banks and credit card companies ripped people off for years. I have hundreds of friends who have spent years on a crusade to help consumers by educating them as to what to watch out for. We have seen thousands, first hand that have been legally robbed!! President Obama was angered by this and put regulations on these to stop this robbery of American citizens from being legal.

It is said President Obama was given a blank check and went on a spending spree. Yes, he spent to care for American Veterans! We have been long overdue for a POTUS that is willing to care for on our Veterans! To me, they are well worth it!

Do You Want You're tax Dollars Going To The Already Profitable?

I have heard the false claim, including on a phone call from Chip Cravaack, but also from other TP'rs that the accelerated tax depreciation that companies receive for purchasing a corporate jet was created by Obama and then they slam him for creating it then wanting to do away with it. I have read articles falsely claiming and passed on by intelligent, caring citizens, that Obama wants to institute a ""Luxury Tax" on corporate jets. Another lie. The truth of this matter is that during the Bush years, concern was raised because the American jet industry was in danger because of lack of sales. I have not confirmed the lack of sales but I see no reason to spend my time on it, I have confirmed when the accelerated depreciation began) The accelerated tax depreciation was created in an effort to encourage companies to buy jets in an effort to keep these companies afloat as well as the jobs they provided. This was what I consider an understandable move. It was extended in the 2009 American Recovery Act (Stimulus). Kansas was pleased by this because they have two jet manufacturers there. Unfortunately, last I checked, they are still struggling. Boeing, however, made out like a bandit. So much that they can afford to open a new plant. GREAT! Too bad they have admitted that the state they have chosen to open in was chosen because they do not want employees to Unionize. This admission breaks a law that was instituted to protect American workers. Boeing has a long history of mistreating workers. The NLRB pressed charges. Now, should this go to court, do you think there would be a chance of a situation being worked out to have the company thrive while also treating their workers right? I do. How did our TP(R)'s respond? By by bashing the citizens that have organized to protect workers and a law created 70 years ago by citizens hard efforts. They submitted a bill that has passed in the House to protect the company from the rights of citizens.
So, why do our TP(R)'s refuse to increase revenue by being rid of the accelerated deduction for jet purchases when it only benefits one already extremely profitable company? Do you want your tax dollars to go to helping this very profitable company or to paying down the debt? Do you feel the refusal of the TPR's to eliminate this accelerated depreciation is fiscally responsible? Why do they focus on allowing this SAME company to mistreat workers rather than focusing on the economy? Why do they not explain what I just have rather than create and spread lies about the President of the United States?

Talking Points of The Presidents Job Speech - 2 Minute Video From CNNMoney

Robert Reich Debunks 6 Big GOP Lies About The Economy

UpTakeVideo

About Me, Free Business Advise, The American Jobs Act and Simple Math

I have worked for businesses both as an employee and under contract to grow business and cut costs, streamlining efficiency, resulting in not only much higher sales but higher profit on all sales. In 2010 I had a 1-year contract with two start-ups in where the owners had sales experience but no business experience. Both companies did over $1,000,000 in sales their first year in this struggling economy. In company #1, the owners handed me the reigns.  I created their business plan, implemented it, negotiated business to business contracts, insurance, and the rest of their business needs, trained the owners and their staff while they focused on sales and learning. These businesses sold quality products that were not essentials. The owners chose to be their company’s only salesman and to work on a part time basis which is why this number is so low. The end of year NET profit was 16% and I left them with a system that would successfully propel them into the following year.

Company #2 merely consulted me when they recognized problems with their own plan; therefore, I am not privy to all of their numbers. Although, they were more than pleased with the results of what I implemented, they did not hire me to implement an entire plan. They were pleased with their profit and survived their first year in business. Unfortunately, they make poor choices as to where to invest in business growth. Unless this owner learns to focus on both short term AND long term he will keep himself in a struggling short term.

Previously, companies I worked with were excited with my results and voluntarily paid me much more than what we had originally agreed on because of results much higher than they expected. One had an efficiency profit improvement of 241% in less than 3 months while sales reached record proportions. In another, I worked with for 6 months, restructuring here and there which resulted in more than quadrupling their orders for the following year while greatly increasing their net profit margin. I have several other examples and have never failed. Point being; I know my stuff and I get things done.

Many may be surprised at how I prioritize and finding this surprising hurts your business.
Priorities:
#1) Customer Service
There is never an excuse to forget that every customer is buying dinner and making house/rent payments for everyone profiting from the company. Continuously treating every customer with heartfelt appreciation for this grows sales.

#2) Employees
Happy, well treated, positively motivated employees that are properly encouraged by a bar raised high and deserved praise which increases a sense of accomplishment for reaching and surpassing this bar are well armed for providing excellent customer service. Employees are where the rubber hits the road and will excel when they know that when they do, to you, they are all that and a bag of chips. Customers sense this and it creates a beautiful, profitable circle.

#3) Largest Investment
Payroll and employee costs are a company’s largest investment. Staying competitive, don't be stingy. These people create your sales and raise your profits. Invest some of their hard earned company profits back into them. In essence, your good employees are your customers and should be treated as such. Use this as a part of the bar rising. Employees that can afford dinner, house/rent payments and nice things are happier and help you achieve #1 and #2. This creates a beautiful, profitable circle.

When unemployment is low, there is no excuse to have under-performing employees. Investment of time into training and motivating is essential.
With unemployment high, there is less than no excuse to have under-performing employees. Investment of time into training and motivating is essential. Being as employees that can afford dinner, house/rent payments and nice things are happier and help you achieve #1 and #2; wages and benefits are not wise areas to cut costs.

Although competition for business always exists, this difficult economy has made it fierce. Those with the most customers win. Reach #1, #2 and #3 if you want to win big.

In analyzing a company; I keep an eye out for the current above methods as I look through books, software, hardware, accounting practices, vendors, and numerous other items. Everything comes into play in a successful business plan.

One of the many common mistakes I see companies make is the inappropriate use of down time. Down time occurs in every business, whether it is portions of the day, portions of the week, portions of the year, etc. Down time is the necessary time that should be used to grow business. Restructure, fix, create and implement marketing strategies, everything that will create less down time! Down time should be the exciting time of focusing on the future, both near and far. When used wisely, there will not be fear of the future. On the contrary, you will be one of the few prepared to excel in the future. I am not saying that there are not times to cut back. I am emphasizing making down time profitable.

You may have wondered by now why I included the American Jobs Act in the title. This is why I encourage you to push its passage and one of the ways it can be used;

there are an abounding amount of business situations. I am going to pull a couple numbers out of a hat to begin an explanation then use the real numbers that they create.  You can replace with your own real numbers to decide what your benefit will be.

A company with 25 (Hat) employees averaging annual wages of $40,000 (Hat) pays total $1,000,000 (Real from here on in) in wages a year. (Although $40,000 is low, 25 employees make for a very small business) The current annual payroll tax paid by this company is currently $62,000. The AJA would cut this tax in half, providing $31,000 free money in which you can use for growth. For this company, $31,000 easily equates to a starting wage. Hire 1 person. Because of AJA, you will be refunded for the payroll taxes paid on this person. Yes, you will pay $961 to payroll tax before it is refunded back to you at year’s end.
This person is a newbie, therefore will replace or share the responsibilities of a lower paid employee, who will share the responsibilities of a another... repeat this until you have freed time of a strategizing, marketing, focused on growth employee or better yet, team of employees. No, this will not cost time or money. The government is supplying the money for the new payroll cost of the newbie; therefore, the time is covered by the free 40 hours a week you received. Your employee focused on growth has now been provided with free down time in order to prepare for future economic growth which puts your company ahead of the game, meaning you will be ready and armed for higher profits. Ohh, those words give me GOOSEBUMPS!! I'm going to say it again. Ahead of the game, higher profits.

If enough businesses choose to take this opportunity the economy will be stimulated which will provide them with future sales and help our countries debt and deficit.

The new employees that are hired will pay payroll tax, making up for some of the cost of the AJA. People currently receiving unemployment only receive 60% of their previous wage. By attaining jobs that pay as much as their previous positions paid they will increase their buying power back to 100%. This will increase demand for business. They will pay sales tax with this newly acquired buying power. They will pay income tax. The current costs of unemployment to (some) companies and the government will be greatly reduced.

Businesses that cannot adapt to change fail. Successful businesses embrace change and roll with it. More successful businesses are excited for change, predict what changes are ahead and are prepared for it. The most successful businesses create the change and leave competitors behind.

There are many more benefits to the American Jobs Act.

1) We can choose to sit in a stagnant economy while we whine and complain that nothing is good enough and continue to wait to see if there is a more perfect solution. We can watch a decline then focus on deciding who is to blame as we choose to fail.

2) We can grab the tools available to us; make things work and forge ahead the way Americans do.

I know my stuff and I get things done.
I want Congress to do the same.

I am encouraged by The American Jobs Act. I want to see the CBO analysis on the Government impact before going from 97% to 100% support. I would have fully analyzed the numbers myself but thought it would be efficient to see the CBO analysis. What’s taking so long?

Here is an excerpt from a Huffington Post article. The writer made some excellent points. I agree with this much but not some other opinions stated by the writer: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-roth/small-business-job-creation-_b_957616.html

According to the US Small Business Administration, citing the most recent Office of Advocacy and Census data, there are:
• 27.5 million small businesses in the US (of these, about 6 million have employees and 21.4 million are "Solopreneurs" or businesses with no employees); 
• 18,311 business with over 500 employees

The historical unemployment rate is about 4-5%, but just to illustrate how important small businesses are to turning around this economy, consider the following extremely "simple math". With 14 million people unemployed currently, this means that:

• If one out of every two small businesses (50%) hired just ONE person, we would have zero unemployment;
• If each of the 6 million small businesses that has employees hired just two people, we would only have 2 million people unemployed in the US (1.3% unemployment);
• In contrast, business with more than 500 employees would need to hire an average of 655people each to get to hire the same 12 million employees (i.e., to achieve 2 million people unemployed)

What's a more reasonable strategy? Helping the small businesses of this nation to grow modestly by hiring one to two people or trying to get big business to take on massive acceleration in their hiring?

In reality, there needs to be a combination of both, but you cannot ignore the power of what strengthening small business can do for the United States and how completely critical they are to our economy.

Please comment. I enjoy discussing business, business strategies and politics.

Open for Questions: The American Jobs Act September 15, 2011 2:00 PM EDT

Open for Questions: The American Jobs Act

Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Jon Carson and Principal Director of the National Economic Council, Jason Furman, take your questions on the President’s American Jobs Act
The White House

JOIN THE LIVE CHAT

VISIT WHITEHOUSE.GOV

Did You Miss the President's Jobs Speech on 9/8/2011? Watch, Read, Link to American Job Acts Information

Find Congress Contact Info

American Jobs Act: Read All the Details

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/08/address-president-joint-session-congress

 The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 08, 2011

Address by the President to a Joint Session of Congress

United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.

7:09 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, and fellow Americans:

Tonight we meet at an urgent time for our country.  We continue to face an economic crisis that has left millions of our neighbors jobless, and a political crisis that’s made things worse. 

This past week, reporters have been asking, “What will this speech mean for the President?  What will it mean for Congress?  How will it affect their polls, and the next election?”

But the millions of Americans who are watching right now, they don’t care about politics.  They have real-life concerns.  Many have spent months looking for work.  Others are doing their best just to scrape by -- giving up nights out with the family to save on gas or make the mortgage; postponing retirement to send a kid to college. 

These men and women grew up with faith in an America where hard work and responsibility paid off.  They believed in a country where everyone gets a fair shake and does their fair share -- where if you stepped up, did your job, and were loyal to your company, that loyalty would be rewarded with a decent salary and good benefits; maybe a raise once in a while.  If you did the right thing, you could make it.  Anybody could make it in America. 

For decades now, Americans have watched that compact erode.  They have seen the decks too often stacked against them.  And they know that Washington has not always put their interests first. 

The people of this country work hard to meet their responsibilities.  The question tonight is whether we’ll meet ours.  The question is whether, in the face of an ongoing national crisis, we can stop the political circus and actually do something to help the economy.  (Applause.)  The question is -- the question is whether we can restore some of the fairness and security that has defined this nation since our beginning.    

Those of us here tonight can’t solve all our nation’s woes.  Ultimately, our recovery will be driven not by Washington, but by our businesses and our workers.  But we can help.  We can make a difference.  There are steps we can take right now to improve people’s lives. 

I am sending this Congress a plan that you should pass right away.  It’s called the American Jobs Act.  There should be nothing controversial about this piece of legislation.  Everything in here is the kind of proposal that’s been supported by both Democrats and Republicans -- including many who sit here tonight.  And everything in this bill will be paid for.  Everything.  (Applause.)

The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple:  to put more people back to work and more money in the pockets of those who are working.  It will create more jobs for construction workers, more jobs for teachers, more jobs for veterans, and more jobs for long-term unemployed.  (Applause.)  It will provide -- it will provide a tax break for companies who hire new workers, and it will cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business.  (Applause.)  It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled, and give companies confidence that if they invest and if they hire, there will be customers for their products and services.  You should pass this jobs plan right away.  (Applause.)  

Everyone here knows that small businesses are where most new jobs begin.  And you know that while corporate profits have come roaring back, smaller companies haven’t.  So for everyone who speaks so passionately about making life easier for “job creators,” this plan is for you.  (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill -- pass this jobs bill, and starting tomorrow, small businesses will get a tax cut if they hire new workers or if they raise workers’ wages.  Pass this jobs bill, and all small business owners will also see their payroll taxes cut in half next year.  (Applause.)  If you have 50 employees -- if you have 50 employees making an average salary, that’s an $80,000 tax cut.  And all businesses will be able to continue writing off the investments they make in 2012. 

It’s not just Democrats who have supported this kind of proposal.  Fifty House Republicans have proposed the same payroll tax cut that’s in this plan.  You should pass it right away.  (Applause.)  

Pass this jobs bill, and we can put people to work rebuilding America.  Everyone here knows we have badly decaying roads and bridges all over the country.  Our highways are clogged with traffic.  Our skies are the most congested in the world.  It’s an outrage.   

Building a world-class transportation system is part of what made us a economic superpower.  And now we’re going to sit back and watch China build newer airports and faster railroads?  At a time when millions of unemployed construction workers could build them right here in America?  (Applause.)  

There are private construction companies all across America just waiting to get to work.  There’s a bridge that needs repair between Ohio and Kentucky that’s on one of the busiest trucking routes in North America.  A public transit project in Houston that will help clear up one of the worst areas of traffic in the country.  And there are schools throughout this country that desperately need renovating.  How can we expect our kids to do their best in places that are literally falling apart?  This is America.  Every child deserves a great school -- and we can give it to them, if we act now.  (Applause.)  

The American Jobs Act will repair and modernize at least 35,000 schools.  It will put people to work right now fixing roofs and windows, installing science labs and high-speed Internet in classrooms all across this country.  It will rehabilitate homes and businesses in communities hit hardest by foreclosures.  It will jumpstart thousands of transportation projects all across the country.  And to make sure the money is properly spent, we’re building on reforms we’ve already put in place.  No more earmarks.  No more boondoggles.  No more bridges to nowhere.  We’re cutting the red tape that prevents some of these projects from getting started as quickly as possible.  And we’ll set up an independent fund to attract private dollars and issue loans based on two criteria:  how badly a construction project is needed and how much good it will do for the economy.  (Applause.)

This idea came from a bill written by a Texas Republican and a Massachusetts Democrat.  The idea for a big boost in construction is supported by America’s largest business organization and America’s largest labor organization.  It’s the kind of proposal that’s been supported in the past by Democrats and Republicans alike.  You should pass it right away.  (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill, and thousands of teachers in every state will go back to work.  These are the men and women charged with preparing our children for a world where the competition has never been tougher.  But while they’re adding teachers in places like South Korea, we’re laying them off in droves.  It’s unfair to our kids.  It undermines their future and ours.  And it has to stop.  Pass this bill, and put our teachers back in the classroom where they belong.  (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get extra tax credits if they hire America’s veterans.  We ask these men and women to leave their careers, leave their families, risk their lives to fight for our country.  The last thing they should have to do is fight for a job when they come home.  (Applause.)

Pass this bill, and hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged young people will have the hope and the dignity of a summer job next year.  And their parents -- (applause) -- their parents, low-income Americans who desperately want to work, will have more ladders out of poverty.

Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get a $4,000 tax credit if they hire anyone who has spent more than six months looking for a job.  (Applause.)  We have to do more to help the long-term unemployed in their search for work.  This jobs plan builds on a program in Georgia that several Republican leaders have highlighted, where people who collect unemployment insurance participate in temporary work as a way to build their skills while they look for a permanent job.  The plan also extends unemployment insurance for another year.  (Applause.)  If the millions of unemployed Americans stopped getting this insurance, and stopped using that money for basic necessities, it would be a devastating blow to this economy.  Democrats and Republicans in this chamber have supported unemployment insurance plenty of times in the past.  And in this time of prolonged hardship, you should pass it again -- right away.  (Applause.)

Pass this jobs bill, and the typical working family will get a $1,500 tax cut next year.  Fifteen hundred dollars that would have been taken out of your pocket will go into your pocket.  This expands on the tax cut that Democrats and Republicans already passed for this year.  If we allow that tax cut to expire -- if we refuse to act -- middle-class families will get hit with a tax increase at the worst possible time.  We can’t let that happen.  I know that some of you have sworn oaths to never raise any taxes on anyone for as long as you live.  Now is not the time to carve out an exception and raise middle-class taxes, which is why you should pass this bill right away.  (Applause.)    

This is the American Jobs Act.  It will lead to new jobs for construction workers, for teachers, for veterans, for first responders, young people and the long-term unemployed.  It will provide tax credits to companies that hire new workers, tax relief to small business owners, and tax cuts for the middle class.  And here’s the other thing I want the American people to know:  The American Jobs Act will not add to the deficit.  It will be paid for.  And here’s how.  (Applause.) 

The agreement we passed in July will cut government spending by about $1 trillion over the next 10 years.  It also charges this Congress to come up with an additional $1.5 trillion in savings by Christmas.  Tonight, I am asking you to increase that amount so that it covers the full cost of the American Jobs Act.  And a week from Monday, I’ll be releasing a more ambitious deficit plan -- a plan that will not only cover the cost of this jobs bill, but stabilize our debt in the long run.  (Applause.) 

This approach is basically the one I’ve been advocating for months.  In addition to the trillion dollars of spending cuts I’ve already signed into law, it’s a balanced plan that would reduce the deficit by making additional spending cuts, by making modest adjustments to health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and by reforming our tax code in a way that asks the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share.  (Applause.)  What’s more, the spending cuts wouldn’t happen so abruptly that they’d be a drag on our economy, or prevent us from helping small businesses and middle-class families get back on their feet right away.  

Now, I realize there are some in my party who don’t think we should make any changes at all to Medicare and Medicaid, and I understand their concerns.  But here’s the truth:  Millions of Americans rely on Medicare in their retirement.  And millions more will do so in the future.  They pay for this benefit during their working years.  They earn it.  But with an aging population and rising health care costs, we are spending too fast to sustain the program.  And if we don’t gradually reform the system while protecting current beneficiaries, it won’t be there when future retirees need it.  We have to reform Medicare to strengthen it.  (Applause.) 

I am also -- I’m also well aware that there are many Republicans who don’t believe we should raise taxes on those who are most fortunate and can best afford it.  But here is what every American knows:  While most people in this country struggle to make ends meet, a few of the most affluent citizens and most profitable corporations enjoy tax breaks and loopholes that nobody else gets.  Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary -- an outrage he has asked us to fix.  (Laughter.)  We need a tax code where everyone gets a fair shake and where everybody pays their fair share.  (Applause.)  And by the way, I believe the vast majority of wealthy Americans and CEOs are willing to do just that if it helps the economy grow and gets our fiscal house in order.   

I’ll also offer ideas to reform a corporate tax code that stands as a monument to special interest influence in Washington.  By eliminating pages of loopholes and deductions, we can lower one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world.  (Applause.)  Our tax code should not give an advantage to companies that can afford the best-connected lobbyists.  It should give an advantage to companies that invest and create jobs right here in the United States of America.  (Applause.)   

So we can reduce this deficit, pay down our debt, and pay for this jobs plan in the process.  But in order to do this, we have to decide what our priorities are.  We have to ask ourselves, “What’s the best way to grow the economy and create jobs?”

Should we keep tax loopholes for oil companies?  Or should we use that money to give small business owners a tax credit when they hire new workers?  Because we can’t afford to do both.  Should we keep tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires?  Or should we put teachers back to work so our kids can graduate ready for college and good jobs?  (Applause.)  Right now, we can’t afford to do both.  

This isn’t political grandstanding.  This isn’t class warfare.  This is simple math.  (Laughter.)  This is simple math.  These are real choices.  These are real choices that we’ve got to make.  And I’m pretty sure I know what most Americans would choose.  It’s not even close.  And it’s time for us to do what’s right for our future.  (Applause.)      

Now, the American Jobs Act answers the urgent need to create jobs right away.  But we can’t stop there.  As I’ve argued since I ran for this office, we have to look beyond the immediate crisis and start building an economy that lasts into the future -- an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs that pay well and offer security.  We now live in a world where technology has made it possible for companies to take their business anywhere.  If we want them to start here and stay here and hire here, we have to be able to out-build and out-educate and out-innovate every other country on Earth.  (Applause.)

And this task of making America more competitive for the long haul, that’s a job for all of us.  For government and for private companies.  For states and for local communities -- and for every American citizen.  All of us will have to up our game.  All of us will have to change the way we do business. 

My administration can and will take some steps to improve our competitiveness on our own.  For example, if you’re a small business owner who has a contract with the federal government, we’re going to make sure you get paid a lot faster than you do right now.  (Applause.)  We’re also planning to cut away the red tape that prevents too many rapidly growing startup companies from raising capital and going public.  And to help responsible homeowners, we’re going to work with federal housing agencies to help more people refinance their mortgages at interest rates that are now near 4 percent.  That’s a step -- (applause) -- I know you guys must be for this, because that’s a step that can put more than $2,000 a year in a family’s pocket, and give a lift to an economy still burdened by the drop in housing prices. 

So, some things we can do on our own.  Other steps will require congressional action.  Today you passed reform that will speed up the outdated patent process, so that entrepreneurs can turn a new idea into a new business as quickly as possible. That’s the kind of action we need.  Now it’s time to clear the way for a series of trade agreements that would make it easier for American companies to sell their products in Panama and Colombia and South Korea -– while also helping the workers whose jobs have been affected by global competition.  (Applause.)  If Americans can buy Kias and Hyundais, I want to see folks in South Korea driving Fords and Chevys and Chryslers.  (Applause.)  I want to see more products sold around the world stamped with the three proud words:  “Made in America.”  That’s what we need to get done.  (Applause.)

And on all of our efforts to strengthen competitiveness, we need to look for ways to work side by side with America’s businesses.  That’s why I’ve brought together a Jobs Council of leaders from different industries who are developing a wide range of new ideas to help companies grow and create jobs. 

Already, we’ve mobilized business leaders to train 10,000 American engineers a year, by providing company internships and training.  Other businesses are covering tuition for workers who learn new skills at community colleges.  And we’re going to make sure the next generation of manufacturing takes root not in China or Europe, but right here, in the United States of America.  (Applause)  If we provide the right incentives, the right support -- and if we make sure our trading partners play by the rules -- we can be the ones to build everything from fuel-efficient cars to advanced biofuels to semiconductors that we sell all around the world.  That’s how America can be number one again.  And that’s how America will be number one again.  (Applause.)    

Now, I realize that some of you have a different theory on how to grow the economy.  Some of you sincerely believe that the only solution to our economic challenges is to simply cut most government spending and eliminate most government regulations.  (Applause.) 

Well, I agree that we can’t afford wasteful spending, and I’ll work with you, with Congress, to root it out.  And I agree that there are some rules and regulations that do put an unnecessary burden on businesses at a time when they can least afford it.  (Applause.)  That’s why I ordered a review of all government regulations.  So far, we’ve identified over 500 reforms, which will save billions of dollars over the next few years.  (Applause.)  We should have no more regulation than the health, safety and security of the American people require.  Every rule should meet that common-sense test.  (Applause.) 

But what we can’t do -- what I will not do -- is let this economic crisis be used as an excuse to wipe out the basic protections that Americans have counted on for decades.  (Applause.)  I reject the idea that we need to ask people to choose between their jobs and their safety.  I reject the argument that says for the economy to grow, we have to roll back protections that ban hidden fees by credit card companies, or rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury, or laws that prevent the health insurance industry from shortchanging patients.  I reject the idea that we have to strip away collective bargaining rights to compete in a global economy.  (Applause.)  We shouldn’t be in a race to the bottom, where we try to offer the cheapest labor and the worst pollution standards.  America should be in a race to the top.  And I believe we can win that race.  (Applause.)

In fact, this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everybody’s money, and let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they’re on their own -- that’s not who we are.  That’s not the story of America.   

Yes, we are rugged individualists.  Yes, we are strong and self-reliant.  And it has been the drive and initiative of our workers and entrepreneurs that has made this economy the engine and the envy of the world.

But there’s always been another thread running throughout our history -- a belief that we’re all connected, and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation.

We all remember Abraham Lincoln as the leader who saved our Union.  Founder of the Republican Party.  But in the middle of a civil war, he was also a leader who looked to the future -- a Republican President who mobilized government to build the Transcontinental Railroad -- (applause) -- launch the National Academy of Sciences, set up the first land grant colleges.  (Applause.)  And leaders of both parties have followed the example he set. 

Ask yourselves -- where would we be right now if the people who sat here before us decided not to build our highways, not to build our bridges, our dams, our airports?  What would this country be like if we had chosen not to spend money on public high schools, or research universities, or community colleges?  Millions of returning heroes, including my grandfather, had the opportunity to go to school because of the G.I. Bill.  Where would we be if they hadn’t had that chance?  (Applause.)  

How many jobs would it have cost us if past Congresses decided not to support the basic research that led to the Internet and the computer chip?  What kind of country would this be if this chamber had voted down Social Security or Medicare just because it violated some rigid idea about what government could or could not do?  (Applause.)  How many Americans would have suffered as a result? 

No single individual built America on their own.  We built it together.  We have been, and always will be, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all; a nation with responsibilities to ourselves and with responsibilities to one another.  And members of Congress, it is time for us to meet our responsibilities.  (Applause.)  

Every proposal I’ve laid out tonight is the kind that’s been supported by Democrats and Republicans in the past.  Every proposal I’ve laid out tonight will be paid for.  And every proposal is designed to meet the urgent needs of our people and our communities. 

Now, I know there’s been a lot of skepticism about whether the politics of the moment will allow us to pass this jobs plan -- or any jobs plan.  Already, we’re seeing the same old press releases and tweets flying back and forth.  Already, the media has proclaimed that it’s impossible to bridge our differences.  And maybe some of you have decided that those differences are so great that we can only resolve them at the ballot box.  

But know this:  The next election is 14 months away.  And the people who sent us here -- the people who hired us to work for them -- they don’t have the luxury of waiting 14 months.  (Applause.)  Some of them are living week to week, paycheck to paycheck, even day to day.  They need help, and they need it now. 

I don’t pretend that this plan will solve all our problems. It should not be, nor will it be, the last plan of action we propose.  What’s guided us from the start of this crisis hasn’t been the search for a silver bullet.  It’s been a commitment to stay at it -- to be persistent -- to keep trying every new idea that works, and listen to every good proposal, no matter which party comes up with it. 

Regardless of the arguments we’ve had in the past, regardless of the arguments we will have in the future, this plan is the right thing to do right now.  You should pass it.  (Applause.)  And I intend to take that message to every corner of this country.  (Applause.)  And I ask -- I ask every American who agrees to lift your voice:  Tell the people who are gathered here tonight that you want action now.  Tell Washington that doing nothing is not an option.  Remind us that if we act as one nation and one people, we have it within our power to meet this challenge.

President Kennedy once said, “Our problems are man-made –- therefore they can be solved by man.  And man can be as big as he wants.”

These are difficult years for our country.  But we are Americans.  We are tougher than the times we live in, and we are bigger than our politics have been.  So let’s meet the moment.  Let’s get to work, and let’s show the world once again why the United States of America remains the greatest nation on Earth.  (Applause.)

Thank you very much.  God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

END
7:43 P.M. EDT