Jobs for Main Street -- Where Are They?

Where ... are ... the ... ?&%* ... jobs! Many Americans are tiring of Corporate America's weak excuses about not creating new jobs or not hiring because of "uncertainty of economic times".

Corporate America, do you want to know what uncertainty is? Uncertainty is trying to take care of a family of four with a weekly unemployment check of $370.00. That check has to cover feeding the family, paying the bills ... which include a mortgage or rent among other things ... and then having enough money left over for gas to look for job and run necessary errands. And what about the little extras that children need or want -- like clothes or shoes when they are growing like weeds, or like a family night out at the dollar movies?

Uncertainty is going to work each day under duress hoping that you aren't the next one in line for a pink slip. Uncertainty is going to the supermarket and wondering how they can keep hiking the prices when you haven't received a comparable cost of living increase to keep up with inflation of every consumable good imagined. I'm sure, Corporate America, that you can't relate to any of this because these are not the type of problems you and your family have. But this is just basic expenses I am talking about here -- not a frivolous or fanciful lifestyle.

This uncertainty of economic times is hurting Main Street and you, Corporate America, and our Corporate Politicians just don't seem to get it -- or maybe you just don't care.

One would think that after the near destruction of our economy during the Bush Administration's reign that Corporate America, Wall Street, and our legislators would be working together to ensure a healthy economy and be responsible about the debt ceiling. But that doesn't seem to be the case. It has even been proposed by some that Corporate America is hoarding almost 2 trillion dollars of profit from the past few years for political reasons. If that is so, it is a seriously sad commentary on Corporate America.

Our legislators on both sides of the aisle have to take some responsibility in the lack of job creation by Corporate America. Some of them are true Corporate Politicians who gain substantially from looking out for the interests of businesses. What they don't seem to realize or to be concerned about is how badly Main Street is hurting. As I stated in a previously published article -- "It's time to bring back the 'War on Poverty'".

Main Street, we are on our own! It is time to stand up and fight back! It is time to organize and strategize! We need to send an emphatic message to Corporate America and to Corporate Politicians. We must demand that they work together to save our economy and stop playing politics with our lives and with our future.

All working and unemployed Americans should agree not to spend money for one day each week. This agreement could be their very own "Contract with America". The focus will be on limiting spending in general but specifically for one day weekly. Limiting visits to stores and malls, budgeting gas, eating in or having small simple dinner gathers, and limiting leisure activities are all ways that everyone can tighten their belts . The suggested name for this day is "Spend Time -- Not Money Day". It should be a time where Main Street reflects on the ongoing struggle that many Americans are caught up in; where thought is given to those who are unemployed; where people think about how these hard times will contribute to an increase in crime; and it should be a time when Main Street talks with neighbors and others about what can be done to help solve problems. It should be a day when Main Street reconsiders its lifestyles and values and talks with one another (including family members, friends, co-workers, etc.) about things that they are willing to do without. And, yes, it should also be a day where thought is given to how Corporate America and Corporate Politicians are failing America.

Some have tried to sell the people a bill of goods saying that Main Street is responsible for the tanking of our economy. We know this is not true. We know that military spending, Wall Street gambling, and the Bush tax cuts contributed much more to the deficit than any amount of financial activity from Main Street. So, Main Street, turn down the volume on the media hype! It is time to unite against those who would continue to keep their collective feet on your necks. Believe that in working together, you --Main Street -- can be successful in sending message to Corporate America and legislators that if they continue to shaft the people in the way that they are doing, that a self-empowered Main Street will withhold spending just as they are withholding jobs.

Get up Main Street and empower yourselves! Take a weekly day off from spending until you see more jobs!