Main Street

The Jobs Factor

Here’s something we can get behind.

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) last week proposed a concept that shouldn’t be too controversial: that as the 12-member “Super Committee” weigh different options for deficit reduction, that the impact of their plans on job creation and unemployment be paramount.

Specifically, that the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) “score” the plans for their effects on job creation and unemployment, in addition to usual scoring on overall cost.

Strip away the legislative minutia and here’s what it says: Jobs are the priority. Putting America back to work is job number one. Jobs should be the main factor when considering any change in course.

The Jobs Factor. Do you have it?

As we continue to say, Working America talks to thousands of men and women across the country every week, and almost none of them are primarily worried with the deficit and the debt. Overwhelmingly, the questions and concerns are about the lack of available jobs in their community, the absence of help for friends and family who are long-term unemployed, and the fear that they won’t be able to buy groceries or pay for a doctor’s visit.

In other words, our members and the other working class Americans we talk to are already on board with the Jobs Factor. They already view Washington’s policies through the lens of job creation. And they want the 12-member Super Committee to do the same.

Luckily, they are not alone. National heavyweight groups are already throwing support behind the Jobs Factor. Here’s MoveOn:

This is a responsible way to ensure that any proposal out of the Super Committee takes into account the impact it will have on the nation’s economy. While millions of Americans can’t find a job, and are increasingly losing hope in the promise of the American Dream, it’s imperative that the Super Committee’s proposal is not a job-killer.

Here’s the AFL-CIO’s President, Rich Trumka:

We are in the middle of a jobs crisis and the last thing we should be doing is passing legislation that kills jobs. Senator Merkley’s amendment would help the Super Committee avoid proposals that kill jobs. We strongly urge all elected representatives of both parties to support this effort.

And here’s AFSCME President McEntee:

As the Super Committee embraces their charge to reduce the deficit by more than a trillion dollars, we urge them to embrace Senator Merkley’s proposal to report the jobs impact of their decisions. The Super Committee should focus on doing what’s right and get our country back to work. No more political gamesmanship that leaves struggling families out in the cold yet again.

Now, Super Committee, it’s your turn. We hear through the grapevine that the six Democrats are already considering adopting the Jobs Factor, but we haven’t heard something similar from Republicans. They talk a lot about “job creators” and “job killers” when it suits them – but when the CBO offers hard, non-partisan numbers instead of vague political slogans, will they step up to the plate and do what’s best for working families?

It’s time that both parties get the Jobs Factor. We’re already there. Come and join us.