Obama Announces December 'Forum' on Finding Jobs
By JULIE PACE
Associated Press Writer
President Barack Obama announced Friday that he'll host a White House summit next month on combating the chronic joblessness that continues to be a drag on a struggling economy.
"We are open to any demonstrably good idea to supplement the steps we've already taken to put America back to work," Obama said before taking off for a trip to Asia, where U.S. and global business prospects will be among the key issues under discussion.
Speaking at the White House, the president called a report showing fewer claims for jobless benefits "a hopeful sign." But with millions of Americans out of work, Obama said the government has "an obligation to consider every additional responsible step we can" to get people back to work.
The nationwide unemployment hit 10.2 percent last month, the highest jobless rate since 1983. Economists believe more jobs will be lost, and the unemployment rate could possibly reach 10.5 percent next year because employers remain reluctant to hire.
The December jobs "forum" will bring in public and private sector experts to talk about how to get the job-creation engine running again, Obama said. Because economic prosperity at home is tied to economies around the world, the president said he also plans to talk about a strategy for growth with leaders in Asia.
"It's a strategy in which Asian and Pacific markets are open to our exports," Obama said. "Prosperity around the world is no longer as dependent on American consumption and borrowing, but rather more on American innovation and products."
Reader Comments
Western Gulf Coast Region Scams & Complaints related to Dept of Education
The response level to national disaster is noble but it's a damn shame that so many citizens take advantage of the negative situations.
I mean everytime there is an earthquake, a flood, an oil spill - there's always a group of heartless people who rip off tax payers.
This is in response to reading that 4 of Oprah Winfreys "angels" got busted ripping off the system. Shame on them!
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/19/crimesider/entry5251471.shtml
Western Gulf Coast Region Scams & Complaints related to California Fires
The response level to local and national disasters is awesome but it's a real shame that so many citizens take advantage of the negative situations.
I mean everytime there is an earthquake, a flood, an oil spill - there's always a group of heartless people who rip off tax payers.
This is in response to reading that 4 of Oprah Winfreys "angels" got busted ripping off the system. Shame on them!
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/19/crimesider/entry5251471.shtml
Officer, you have the wrong person
Can you believe this story from Denver?
I just read this and had to share it with the community.
This poor woman, just can't believe that this actually happens in this day and age, what a shame.
(CNN) -- Three police cars pulled into Christina FourHorn's front yard one afternoon just before she was supposed to pick up her daughter at school. The officers had a warrant for her arrest.
"What do you mean robbery?" FourHorn remembers asking the officers. Her only brushes with the law had been a few speeding tickets.
She was locked up in a Colorado jail. They took her clothes and other belongings and handed her an oversize black-and-white striped uniform. She protested for five days, telling jailers the arrest was a mistake. Finally, her husband borrowed enough money to bail her out.
"They wouldn't tell me the details," she said.
Later, it became clear that FourHorn was right, that Denver police had arrested the wrong woman. Police were searching for Christin Fourhorn, who lived in Oklahoma.
Their names were similar, and Christina FourHorn, a mother with no criminal record living in Sterling, Colorado, had been caught in the mix-up.
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