Marcy Kaptur: “Jobs need to be America's number one priority. When people go back to work, it seems fairly obvious that we'll not only…”

“Jobs need to be America's number one priority. When people go back to work, it seems fairly obvious that we'll not only balance family budgets, but we'll be able to balance America's budget. They're tied together. But for some reason, too many officials here in Washington, both elected officials and those who lobby, simply haven't gotten that message. At the end of last month, The Washington Post ran an excellent piece, asking, ``What is it about the word 'jobs' that our Nation's leaders fail to understand?'' ``How has the most painful economic crisis in decades somehow escaped their notice?'' and ``Why do they ignore the issues that Americans care most desperately about?'' Very good questions. I tried to answer them myself, as I have fought the resistance to try to help reemploy those who seek work across our country. I would have to say that, in some ways, some here in this city are privileged. They've really led very privileged lives. They've been insulated, insulated from living in a family that gets a pink slip, insulated from being in a family that knows what it's like to live on an unemployment check and wonder if you will ever be able to get regular checks again, insulated from families that desperately worry when their unemployment checks expire and there is no job. A lot of people here inherited their wealth, and they truly are insulated, but for the rare few. Others had their educations paid for. They didn't work for them. It's unbelievable.…”