Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

On Friday morning in the East Room of the White House, President Barack Obama created a Task Force with the singular objective of raising the standard of living of the middle class. Obama said that his economic stimulus package was “just the beginning”, and said that this task force would be what middle class citizens so desperately need, calling the middle class the “backbone” of the economy. Vice President Joe Biden was charged with heading this endeavor, which Biden said would be “fully transparent”. The task force includes economic advisors and well as cabinet members, and according to Biden is going to seek the opinions and ideas of citizens. Meeting transcripts, documents, and other relevant material will be kept on a special website, aStrongMiddleClass.gov, which Biden said would be a place for both information and conversation, in which citizens can participate and tell their stories. The President also said that this Task Force will not forget the poor, but will give them opportunities to get a piece of the American dream if they are willing to work for it. Obama also emphasized that Labor Unions and Business can coexist, saying that the situation was not a zero sum game.

Vice President Biden will engage in monthly meetings with community leaders and interest groups to address regional economic issues across the nation, including but not limited to childcare, education, balance in the workplace, the creation of jobs, and safety and fairness in the workplace. The first meeting of the task force will be on February 27th in Philadelphia, to discuss green jobs.

The President also signed three executive orders after his remarks, which were related to these issues.