By Ruth Ferguson
NDG Editor
The President of the United States has a question for his fellow elected officials in Washington: “My question to Congress is, what are you waiting for?”
Visiting Dallas on Tuesday, October 4 President Barack Obama called on the packed audience in the gymnasium of Eastfield Community College to urge their congressional representatives to pass his proposed American Jobs Act.
“Tell Congress pass this bill so we can help the people who create most of the new jobs in this country: America’s small businesses. Folks in the other party, they like to talk a good game about helping America’s job creators. ‘Let’s help America’s job creators.’ Okay, let’s do that. This jobs bill provides tax cuts for nearly every small business in America. If you hire new employees, or raise your workers’ wages, you get an extra tax cut. So my message to Congress is, don’t just talk about helping job creators; actually help some job creators by passing this bill.”
Eastfield is celebrating their 41st year, with an enrollment of over 14,000 students this fall. The day’s event generated buzz throughout the campus in anticipation of the arrival of the president and the opportunity to improve the community college’s visibility.
Kimberly Russell, a single mother and laid of Dallas Independent School District teacher, introduced the president. Her comments implored Congress to pass the jobs bill, “to help teachers like me and others get back to work soon.”
Foregoing a jacket, President Obama arrived on stage to thunderous applause and immediately picked up the baton from Russell in the race to urge Congress to pass legislation.
“Teachers like Kim are why I am here today,” Obama added, “And because the problems that led to the recession weren’t caused overnight, they won’t be solved overnight. That’s the hard truth.”
President Obama also warned that without passage of the American Jobs Act, on January 1st everyone will essentially receive a tax increase. A payroll tax cut resulted in most workers receiving $1,400 added to their paychecks this year. The payroll tax break will expire December 31st without an extension.
Before arriving at Eastfield, the president attended two fundraisers; his re-election campaign set a goal of raising $1 million for the day. He then flew to St. Louis for more fundraisers before returning to Washington Tuesday evening.
