Public Employee Press

Election 2012
Members applaud Obama message

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

In his Jan. 24 State of the Union speech, President Barack Obama unveiled an ambitious economic plan to help the nation's struggling middle class. He called for creating an "economy built to last" that would focus on creating millions of new jobs, helping homeowners hit hard by the housing crisis, changing the tax code so the wealthy have to pay their fair share, and continuing to improve the education system.

His call for extending the payroll tax cut and benefits for the long-term unemployed met with success in February when Republicans who had been blocking these vital measures realized their position was extremely unpopular with American voters.

The president also called for replacing tax deductions to companies that outsource jobs overseas with tax breaks for American manufacturers that bring jobs back home. "Send me these tax reforms and I will sign them right away," he said.

Members support Obama

The president pledged to hold Wall Street accountable for the damage its greed has done to the American economy and stop its risky mortgage investment and financial practices. "I will not go back to the days when Wall Street played by their own rules," said Obama. "No bailouts, no handouts, and no cop-outs."

Obama said he wants the country to use cheaper and cleaner sources of energy that will create thousands of well-paying jobs instead of relying on costly foreign oil.

"I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy," Obama said. "We don't have to choose between the environment and jobs." His energy plan also called for ending tax breaks and subsidies for oil and gas companies.

DC 37 members PEP interviewed after the speech reacted with enthusiasm.

Sheera Glass, a Claims Specialist at the Health and Hospitals Corp. and the secretary of Local 154, was glad to hear about the president's support for changing the tax code. "The workers have made most of the sacrifices recently," she said. "Now it's time for everyone to pay their fair share."

Like most Americans, Local 372 member Pamela Ross is concerned about her job as a School Crossing Guard in Queens and the health insurance it provides. Ross said she is already benefiting from Obama's health care legislation, which extended the age limit to 26 for family members and let her cover her son in her plan. "Having health insurance means having access to medication that is important for us," she explained.

Aurea Mangual, a member of SSEU Local 371, praised Obama's position on education reform. He said community colleges should play a leading role in training new workers by becoming community career centers, and he urged the states to require students to stay in school until they are 18 or graduate. In some states students can drop out as young as 16.

"He's right. It's too easy for these kids to drop out," said Mangual, who works as a Community Coordinator in the Bronx Borough President's office. "Now I see a lot of them returning to school because they realize they need a good education to succeed."

Berlinda McLeod, a Clerical Associate and Local 1549 member, felt very encouraged by the president's message. "He talked about education and jobs. Those are two very important things right now," McLeod told PEP as she waited for her shop steward training class to start.

David Washington, a Court Aide and member of Local 2627, agreed with McCleod. "It's about jobs. A lot of people are hurting now," he said, "but I think President Obama is on the right track."