New administration. New econonmics. Tough times. Tough choices.
It's a good time to breathe life into this blog again.
President-Elect Barack Obama today used his weekly address, conducted in a social media fashion updated from FDR's fireside chats, to preview the ambitious plan his team is developing to breathe life into the economy.
I'm for it. In fact, I think that Obama's target may need to be doubled from his goal of creating 2.5 million new jobs.
Looking at it from the standpoint of community relations, the Obama plan means a lot of public and private infrastructure and construction activity. NIMBY talk is sure to follow in some cases.
Check out this paragraph from the transcript of his talk, or look at the YouTube video I've embedded below.
I have already directed my economic team to come up with an Economic Recovery Plan that will mean 2.5 million more jobs by January of 2011 – a plan big enough to meet the challenges we face that I intend to sign soon after taking office. We’ll be working out the details in the weeks ahead, but it will be a two-year, nationwide effort to jumpstart job creation in America and lay the foundation for a strong and growing economy. We’ll put people back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, modernizing schools that are failing our children, and building wind farms and solar panels; fuel-efficient cars and the alternative energy technologies that can free us from our dependence on foreign oil and keep our economy competitive in the years ahead.These are bold and audacious projects. They won't be welcomed everywhere. I hope they are welcomed in enough places to work.
