Since few media outlets have a reporter assigned to the labor beat anymore, we've heard little this year about one of President Obama's best cabinet appointments: Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.
Tracy Kurowski wrote a good post at Blog for Iowa about the Department of Labor's annual Statement of Regulatory and Deregulatory Priorities, released three weeks ago (full report here). The gist is that Solis is getting her department "back to the business of looking out for labor rather than commerce."
Today President Obama came up with a proposal to create jobs and deal with his Achilles heel among Republicans, unemployment. Of course these same hypocritical Republicans seem to forget it was their policies and President that caused the hemmoraging of jobs in the first place, and America has a short memory.
Populist Caucus Chairman Bruce Braley (IA-01) and House Trade Working Group Chairman Mike Michaud (ME-02) wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer today, urging them to make sure the upcoming jobs bill contains a strong "Buy American" provision.
From a press release Braley's office issued:
"Recently, as America has suffered the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, unemployment has risen and is now around 10 percent," the letter reads. "We believe that the shipment of American jobs overseas is a factor in this rising unemployment. If we are going to pass a strong job creation bill then it only makes sense to include strong Buy American provisions, to further ensure that the jobs created as a result of this legislation are created within the United States.
"We have an obligation to create jobs in America. While some would argue that Buy American is nothing more than a trade protectionist label, it is clear that these provisions would equate to greater investment, and greater job-creation, within the U.S. In addition, Buy American provisions are perfectly legal under current trade agreements and many other nations use similar mechanisms to protect their domestic manufacturers. Therefore, we feel that it is entirely appropriate that this language be included in any upcoming job-creation measure, and we believe that this provision is essential to creating and retaining American jobs.
The Democratic Party is careening towards a political train wreck. That may sound hyperbolic to some, but it's the truth. It's difficult to overstate the extent to which what is accomplished in the next few months is going to set the stage for 2010 and beyond. If President Obama and Congressional Democrats can't show real progress on the major domestic issues that got them elected, the party is going to be in serious trouble.
The strategic incompetence we're seeing, even though it's clear that Democrats will either live up to their rhetoric about standing up for working Americans or lose in a big way, is stunning.
Republicans are obstructing on health care and economic recovery, hoping to blame Democrats for pursuing health care reform at the expense job creation in 2010. It makes sense that the Party of No wouldn't be able to understand that the country needs multiple things done on multiple fronts, but this kind of argument could work... if Democrats let it.
This attack is going to come regardless of what the Democratic trifecta does on health care and jobs. There is a way they can help inoculate themselves and put Republicans on defense -- pass strong health care reform that goes into effect soon, and take a much more aggressive approach on jobs.
Well, technically speaking I got laid off last night. It was about ten o'clock at night and I got a call from the contract agency through which I work. The project I was an attorney on was cutting back and they got rid of thirty people. My services would no longer be needed so I shouldn't even bother coming in the next day. They would box up my things and I could pick them up after Thursday. Unfortunately, my story is so painfully ordinary these days, it probably doesn't even warrant a diary.
(coal and Kentucky politics... - promoted by poligirl)
The debate over Coal was raging before I was born and probably will be long after I am gone. Personally I do feel that we should move away from Carbon based energy as soon as possible but I realize that in my state many people are employed by this industry. Although living in Western Kentucky I never considered myself as personally impacted as some but when lives and livelihoods are in debate you can understand why passions can run pretty high.
(ACTION: some South Carolina politics... - promoted by poligirl)
Many South Carolina residents have huge political and societal disagreements with Gov. Mark Sanford. He has fought ever step of the way to refuse the stimulus money and then he wanted to use it by applying it to state budget debts. He has also been virtually unconcerned about jobs and working for the voters of South Carolina. Little by little a group has organized to take the matters into their own hands through peaceful demonstrations.
I've said it at home before ... many times and now the Charlotte Observer is saying it publicly. The media and power seeking politicos continually tout North Carolina as a mecca for jobs and everything else this side of heaven. Please allow me to explain what I am saying.
North Carolina's economy is looking more like Michigan's.
(color and bold added) Joblessness in North Carolina surged a full percentage point in February - the country's biggest gain - to a record 10.7 percent. That was the nation's fourth-highest unemployment rate and only a few ticks behind Michigan, which had the highest rate at 12 percent.
For months we have heard nothing but news about job cuts. Today is no exception. Job cuts are rolling in to the TV stations today and the numbers are numbing. But, what is the reason. Is it the reason we are being told, or are there other reasons behind the job cuts?
I've said it at home before ... many times and now the 
