There's
an editorial in Tuesday's New York Times which discusses a small ($1 billion), but exceptionally effective, stimulus jobs program that has become near and dear to me since I first posted a diary on it in early July: "
Radically Simple." This goverment-funded effort, endorsed and praised by Republicans and Democrats alike, was first brought to our attention by NY Times' op-ed columnist Bob Herbert, on July 3rd, in: "
A Jobs Program That Works."
A Jobs Program That Works
By BOB HERBERT
New York Times
July 3, 2010
Is it possible that there is a federal stimulus program that is putting many thousands of struggling individuals to work and is getting rave reviews not only from Democrats but from officials in conservative states like South Carolina and Mississippi?
It may be hard to believe, but it's true. The program, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, allows states to use federal dollars to temporarily subsidize the salaries of individuals placed in private- and public-sector jobs. More than 30 states are participating.
The program, though small, appears to be working exceptionally well. States expect to have placed more than 200,000 individuals by this coming autumn. Some of those workers would otherwise have landed on welfare.
The catch -- there is always a catch -- is that the program will expire at the end of September if Congress does not act to extend it...
Bold type is diarist's emphasis.
As recently as 24 hours ago, and over the course of the past week, I've posted many diaries where, among many other economic travesties, I've focused upon the status quo's totally fabricated myth of "structural unemployment" (i.e.: a term somewhat synonymous with the simplistically-coined phrase, "skills mismatch," which is conveniently parrotted by many to describe the TOTALLY FALSE, Wall Street-sponsored meme that there are plenty of jobs in the workplace currently available, but not enough people in the U.S. worforce with the necessary skillsets to fill them). Links to three of those diaries are available: HERE, HERE, and just last night, RIGHT HERE.
Eight days ago, I also posted this: "Konczal Study: Lack of Demand, Not Skills, Is Jobless Problem," wherein I discussed a study just published by Netroots Nation speaker and economist Mike Konczal, which I would say, IMHO, compellingly crushes the false "structural unemployment" meme, altogether.
Just yesterday, Paul Krugman, in his NY Times op-ed column, "Structure of Excuses," totally concurred with Konczal's observations, as well.
So, here we are, a day later, and--COMING FULL CIRCLE--now the NY Times' editorial lede for Tuesday's edition is pretty much calling out Democrats on The Hill for turning their backs on this very same program--a hugely successful, albeit low-cost, jobs program that is the virtual antithesis of the structural unemployment meme--that Herbert brought to our attention in early July.
And, IMHO, when it comes to this specific matter, and the failure of our own party in the legislative branch to force a vote on the Bush tax cuts until after the mid-term elections, the NY Times is spot-on in the use of their editorial headline, today: "Profiles in Timidity."
Profiles in Timidity
Editorial
New York Times
September 28, 2010
We are starting to wonder whether Congressional Democrats lack the courage of their convictions, or simply lack convictions...
--SNIP--
...The American public is right to be confused and distrustful of its elected representatives.
Their focus on the well-being of the richest Americans is eclipsing the needs and concerns of vulnerable Americans. A roughly $1 billion pro-work program in last year's stimulus law that has provided jobs to 250,000 low-income workers is scheduled to expire at the end of September. But with less than a week to go before adjourning, Democrats have been unable to get Republican support to extend the program or, it seems, to make the Republicans pay a political price for being the Party of No.
This program is a model of the welfare-to-work initiatives long championed by the Republican Party. But Republican lawmakers would prefer to end it than to let the Obama stimulus package be seen as helpful. So deep is their desire to thwart Mr. Obama and the Democrats, that they are ignoring Republican governors who have called for the program's continuation. And they have indicated they would vote down a must-pass spending bill and other last-minute legislation if Democrats attach a provision to extend the program to those bills.
That is pure obstructionism, but it leaves Democrats still struggling to challenge the Republicans' ability to define the terms of the political debate this election season, while Americans who really need the help go without.
IMHO, the problems our party's facing this election cycle are, at least in large part, the direct result of the timidity and spinelessness of those running it. Period. (Please read the whole editorial, linked above, for more clarity on this statement.)
For THEIR own good; for OUR own good; while there's still time and as they bombard us for money at the end of the quarter, which is the day after tomorrow (Thursday), GIVE THEM HELL!