Obama: US Using Less Foreign Oil

President Obama renews his call to end the $4 billion in tax breaks that oil companies receive each year while collecting record profits. The President asks everyone to tell their elected officials to stop this corporate welfare and fight for a clean energy future that is within our reach.

In his weekly address President Obama says: “Take a look at this chart. Six years ago, 60% of the oil we used was imported. Since I took office, America’s dependence on foreign oil has decreased every single year. In fact, in 2010, for the first time in thirteen years, less than half the petroleum we consumed was imported. Part of that is because we’re producing more oil here at home than at any time in the last eight years. But we can’t just drill our way out of this problem.

“While we consume 20 percent of the world’s oil, we only have 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves. We’ve got to develop new technology that will help us use new forms of energy. That’s been a priority of mine as President. And because of the investments we’ve made, our use of clean, renewable energy has nearly doubled and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.”

Energy theme of Obama’s other speeches this week. … Continue Reading

Obama, Governors To Find Common Ground In “What Works”

President Obama expects to find “common ground” with the nation’s governors as he meets with them today.

Last night he told the National Governors Association
“I want you to know you have a partner in the White House. We’re not going to agree on every single issue, every single day. But the thing is about governors is by nature and by nature of the position you end up having to be pragmatic because you have to figure out what works. And that’s why I’m confident that we’re going to be able to find more and more common ground going forward.”

He offered a toast to the Governors and their spouses and noted that when President Andrew Jackson invited the public to the White House, things got so rowdy that they had to pass barrels of whiskey and ice cream out the windows to get the crowd to go out on the lawn.

The President said they had barrels standing by tonight.

Obama’s Fair Fix For Responsible Homeowners

The housing crisis has been the single largest drag on America’s economic recovery. President Obama wants to fix that fairly for homeowners who have been responsible, but not the ones who took out huge mortgages or bought multiple homes.

He is sending Congress his plan to give responsible homeowners the chance to save thousands of dollars on their mortgages by refinancing at historically low rates without adding a cent to the deficit.

Although the Administration’s actions have helped responsible homeowners refinance their mortgages and stay in their homes, President Obama says Congress must act now to do more to continue assisting homeowners and the economy.

In his weekly address President Obama asks all Americans to tell their elected officials to pass this plan to keep more families in their homes and more neighborhoods thriving and whole.

Transcript of President Obama’s weekly address … Continue Reading

Obama Hopeful About 2012

President Obama tells the American people that although there will be tough debates to come in the new year, by joining together, we can continue to help grow the economy and create jobs across the country.

President Obama says he will keep working to ensure that everyone has a fair shot and does their fair share, and as we enter into 2012, all Americans should remind Washington of what is at stake for the middle class.

He points out that by adding their voices to the debate, Americans have already proven that they can make a difference, and in the new year, we can continue to work together to put the country first and help every American find the opportunities they deserve.

Transcript of President Obama’s weekly address … Continue Reading

Obama: You Will Pay If Congress Doesn’t Act

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In this week’s address, President Obama tells the American people that although the United States has created private sector jobs for the past 21 months in a row, that is not enough for struggling Americans. He says we must continue growing the economy by passing the payroll tax cut, which will give the middle class a tax cut of $1,500 and provide small businesses more money to hire workers by cutting their payroll taxes in half.

President Obama urges all Americans to tell Congress not to raise taxes during the holidays and act in the best interests of middle class families and pass the tax cuts now.

Transcript of President Obama’s weekly address … Continue Reading

Obama Sells “Made In America” Overseas

In this week’s address, President Obama speaks from Indonesia and tells the American people that during his trip to the Asia Pacific, he has made progress opening up markets to support thousands of American jobs and keep us on track to double American exports by 2014. The President’s trip underscores his belief that our businesses will always be successful competing around the world and that he will continue to do everything possible to create jobs for the American people.

Transcript of President Obama’s weekly address … Continue Reading

Are The Poor Represented At The World Economic Table?

The G-8 brings together the governments of the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, Russia and the U.K. The G-8 will hold a summit in Chicago in May 2012. At the same time a full summit of NATO will be held in Chicago.

Gary Prevost, Professor of Political Science, St. John’s University/College of St. Benedict leads a discussion of the G-8 and it’s role in world politics and the economy today: When this body of the largest economies meets, are the interests of working and poor people represented at the table? Do these governments plan and work for peace and justice? What does the G-8 represent in a world in economic crisis? What is the connection between the economic policies of the big powers in the G-8

“Bail Out Students, Not The Banks” Say Protesters

Amanda Zimmerman thinks colleges and banks have “messed-up relationship” that ends up leaving students heavily in debt when they graduate.

“I’m talking about the messed up relationship the U of M has with TCF bank. It’s really screwing weird! Why do you get a bank account when you get your college ID? ( A University of Minnesota student ID card doubles as a TCF ATM card thanks to a deal between the two institutions.) Those two things should not be friends with each other”, said Zimmerman who is with Students for a Democratic Society.

That’s why Zimmerman, college students and supporters of OccupyMN last week urged people to move their money out of banks.

“Take your money out of TCF. Take it out of Wells Fargo and take it out of US Bank. Get a credit union people. It’s time to stand up for ourselves”, Zimmerman yelled to the crowd after it marched from the occupied Hennepin County Government Center Plaza to a nearby bank.

Political parties under influence of banks and big oil says former DFL candidate … Continue Reading

Obama: We Can’t Wait On Congress To Do Its Job

President Obama tells the American people that we can’t wait for Congress to take action to grow the economy and create jobs, and highlights the executive actions he took this week to help families save thousands of dollars by refinancing their mortgages, put veterans to work, and lower the cost of student loans.

President Obama says we need to rebuild our economy to be more fair, “Now, in this country, we don’t begrudge anyone wealth or success – we encourage it. We celebrate it. But America is better off when everyone has had the chance to get ahead – not just those at the top of the income scale. The more Americans who prosper, the more America prospers.”

President Obama continues to urge Congress to do its part and pass the American Jobs Act now, which will put more money in the pockets of middle class families, create jobs and strengthen our economy right away.

Occupy Movement Energizes Peace Movement

The spirit of OccupyMN has infected the Minneapolis peace movement. Peace activists have been seen at The People’s Plaza in downtown Minneapolis and a number of new people participating in this march came from the OccupyMN contingent.

International Anti-War Days, October 15/16, 2011, was celebrated in Minneapolis with a march down Lake Street, ending up at South High School. This was the largest crowd of peace activists seen on the streets for some time.

National anti-war sentiment seems to be increasing and the OccupyMN activities at The People’s Plaza (Hennepin County Government Center) have stimulated formerly reticent individuals to come out and demonstrate against government actions.

There is also an increasing awareness that the war expense is a major factor in our financial woes and a building revulsion of the human cost of war among civilian populations around the world.

Peace movement takes worldwide action. … Continue Reading