NY Times, 9.11 The Wild Card, Bob Herbert

Bob Herbert's latest OP-ED piece, in the NY Times,is a must read for everyone who wants a true picture of the challenges faced by this administration's attempt to deal with a sick economy. This economy features horrendous job losses and a Democratic, Sisyphean-like campaign to overhaul the nation's health care system, according to Bob Herbert.

Bob rightly discerns that ordinary men and women of America, who he classifies as the "wild card", are not on board with the administration and the congress at the moment, and he identifies the problem the administration faces, in garnering their support. According to Herbert, the ordinary working people of America are struggling with the worst economic downturn they have ever witnessed and they are worried about the big new plans that the democrats have in store for them. These proposals may not be in their best interests and may not be affordable. "As the economy continues to hemorrhage jobs, deficits unfolding before their eyes are being counted in the trillion's of dollars." Bob Herbert has effectively summarized the entire matter, at a time when fuzzy rhetoric is being presented from the administration, in fact from all sides, on the healthcare reform matter. Bob Herbert presents a great analytic capsule of what is the real challenge--it remains the economy, stupid.

The healthcare reform plan may well be the wrong effort at the wrong time. What appears to be needed instead of healthcare reform is a jobs growth plan which addresses a pathetic economy and this effort must be quickly designed. The administration might look at the following fundamental components needed to structure this strategic effort:

A job creation and restoration program, in essence an emergency partnership with the leaders of private corporations to get this effort underway,

A program which rewards corporate efforts to create jobs and return some work from overseas to our shores. An example of incentivization might be the elimination or dramatic reduction of federal taxes on corporations in the U.S. This effort could feature a program to match countries who are presently offering tax free arrangements for American manufacturers, who provide jobs in their nations,

The elimination or reduction of state corporate taxes by increasing jobs in states, thus providing payroll tax growth, which has been unavailable for state budgets, through new jobs,

The establishment of a strong "Jobs Now" task force composed of corporate C.E.O's, economists and other designated individuals, which would exist solely for the express purpose of job creation-restoration,

The establishment of a strategic plan for growth in American jobs over the next three years, with measurable targets and objectives.

The development of a reporting system for the American people listing the number of jobs created, their location, their occupational emphasis, and identification of companies hiring.

The time is long overdue for this administration, the congress, and the nation to focus on the real problem facing Americans, loss of jobs is the proverbial elephant in the room. We desperately need jobs in America. The nation's economy is at risk of being destroyed; let's stop talking healthcare reform, cap and trade, clunkers, green technology and other programs. Let's fix this dying economy with its massive job losses. It remains the economy stupid, we need these jobs now more than ever. Thanks Bob Herbert for the strong yet simple analytical article, you have written from your heart and acute personal observation. Let us hope that the President, congress, and all Americans are not only listening to speeches, voices of argument and debate, but are reading your article as well.