WITH 2012 IN MIND – President Obama stunned his environmental appointees by overruling a new EPA plan to improve air quality, and cheering business leaders who had campaigned against it.  Clearly, the president had the election in mind.  He does not wish to expose himself to the charge of costing business additional millions, or billions, at a time when funds should be devoted to hiring people.  There are no reports on Al Gore's reaction, but there was a report of a man fitting Gore's description, standing atop the Grand Canyon with a thermometer, and threatening to jump.

BUT WE CAN'T WAIT – It may be a way of lowering expectations, but administration officials are passing the word that President Obama will not present his entire jobs plan before a joint session of Congress next week.  White House officials say that the overall plan will be rolled out during the fall.  I guess this is like reality television.  Why do I think they really don't have a plan?  Could it possibly be that they haven't had one for two and a half years?  At least the president gives us something to look forward to, characteristic of the showman that he is. 

JOBS REPORT STIRS NEW FEARS – The stunning jobs report just out, indicating that this country created no new jobs last month, is producing the most serious talk of a new recession – a "double dip" recession – in many months.  The country must create at least 150,000 jobs each month just to keep pace with population growth.  We now face the possibility of a real retrenchment that can go on for years.  Should the president's speech fail next week, and expectations aren't all that high, the psychological effect can add to the devastation.  But Republicans must respond with a clear, understandable economic plan of their own.  "No new taxes" is not a plan.  It's a slogan.  Americans are looking seriously for leadership, and I don't really see the GOP providing it...yet.

September 2, 2011