Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
If the nation is going to avoid a financial crisis the likes of which it has not seen since the Great Depression, the nation’s unemployed must be put back to work. The time has come for people on both sides of the aisle in Washington to work with the president to deal with this crisis.
A report issued by city Comptroller John Liu claims the American Jobs Act proposed by President Barack Obama would have more than a billion dollars in direct economic benefits for Queens workers.
According to the report, if the act is implemented, it will result in the creation or preservation of more than 50,000 jobs citywide. It is estimated the tax holiday that is part of the act would save more than one million city workers a total of $1.1 billion.
Although the number of unemployed people in Queens has declined in the past year, there are still twice as many people on the unemployment line as there were three years ago. In addition, there are hundreds, possibly thousands, who have just given up looking for work or have taken entry-level jobs paying minimum wage. The program will also help people facing foreclosure.
Liu’s report makes it clear that Obama’s jobs act is good for Queens and America. We agree with U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who pleaded with Congress to support this bill.
“I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with us, pass this bill and help address the No. 1 issue on the minds of the American people: job creation,” she said.
Playing the Race Card
State Sen. Tony Avella is right: If Super Halal Meat Fruits & Vegetables Inc., on Hillside Avenue, cannot be a good neighbor, then it is time for the business to pack it in.
In a little more than a year the business has racked up $25,000 in violations. Halal food conforms to Muslim dietary rules. The owner says the attacks coming from the community are the result of discrimination against people from South Asia.
Baloney. Queens is home to people from all over the world. The violations were issued because the store is allegedly unsanitary. The owner must clean it up or close.
