President Obama recently announced two major jobs initiatives.

[ProSense]

We Can't Wait: President Obama Announces Nearly $4 Billion Investment in Energy Upgrades to Public and Private Buildings Upgrades Will Create Tens of Thousands of Jobs and Save Billions

WASHINGTON, DC – President Obama today announced nearly $4 billion in combined federal and private sector energy upgrades to buildings over the next 2 years. These investments will save billions in energy costs, promote energy independence, and, according to independent estimates, create tens of thousands of jobs in the hard-hit construction sector. The $4 billion investment announced today includes a $2 billion commitment, made through the issuance of a Presidential Memorandum, to energy upgrades of federal buildings using long term energy savings to pay for up-front costs, at no cost to taxpayers. In addition, 60 CEOs, mayors, university presidents, and labor leaders today committed to invest nearly $2 billion of private capital into energy efficiency projects; and to upgrade energy performance by a minimum of 20% by 2020 in 1.6 billion square feet of office, industrial, municipal, hospital, university, community college and school buildings. This announcement builds on a commitment made by 14 partners at the Clinton Global Initiative America meeting in June to make energy upgrades across 300 million square feet, and to invest $500 million in private sector financing in energy efficiency projects.

- more -

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/02/we-cant-wait-president-obama-announces-nearly-4-billion-investment-energ

We Can't Wait: The White House Announces Federal and Private Sector Commitments to Provide Employment Opportunities for Nearly 180,000 Youth

Today, the White House announced Summer Jobs+, a new call to action for businesses, non-profits, and government to work together to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012. The President proposed $1.5 billion for high-impact summer jobs and year-round employment for low-income youth ages 16-24 in the American Jobs Act as part of the Pathways Back to Work fund. When Congress failed to act, the Federal government and private sector came together to commit to creating nearly 180,000 employment opportunities for low-income youth in the summer of 2012, with a goal of reaching 250,000 employment opportunities by the start of summer, at least 100,000 of which will be placements in paid jobs and internships. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of executive actions the Obama Administration is taking to strengthen the economy and move the country forward because we can’t wait for Congress to act.

- more -

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/05/we-cant-wait-white-house-announces-federal-and-private-sector-commitment

[Number23]

1. K&R

[Mojorabbit]

2. I am glad to see this nt

[MACARD]

3. Yay for Ideas and fixes. boo for republicans calling Obama a Socialist

[JDPriestly]

4. It's a good start.

We have to get more Democrats into Congress.

And to do that, we have to be able to go out and talk to voters about why they need to vote for Democrats. That is the only way we can change anything in this country.

This kind of initiative gives us something to brag about even though it is not nearly enough.

[hootinholler]

6. Rather than brag

We should point out that it's not enough and say we can do more with a majority.

I agree it is a good start.

[ProSense]

12. Well,

"We should point out that it's not enough and say we can do more with a majority."

...that doesn't garner much interest: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002142217

[hootinholler]

13. I'm not seeing the relevance to my point.

Other than sending people to your thread, what's you point? That we somehow need to become braggarts because your thread isn't getting enough attention?

[FogerRox]

14. With 25 million unemployed, dayum straight skippy

[ellisonz]

5. I'm outraged...

[Zalatix]

7. Energy Upgrades to Public and Private Buildings Upgrades? They'll outsource that to China.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/20/san-francisco-oakland-bay-bridge-controversially-made-in-china/

[JoePhilly]

8. Gotta love Fox news!!!!!

[ProSense]

9. Here:

Everything You Need to Know About Insourcing
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/11/everything-you-need-know-about-insourcing

[txlibdem]

10. You see? All Capitalism needs to succeed is Billions in government funds. Yay Capitalism.

Please do not think of any other possible economic system. Think only of Capitalism and how we can help the big banks!

[ProSense]

11. Yup,

and much more stimulus is needed.

Congress should act: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002142217

[FogerRox]

15. Annually 5% of GDP on infrastructure would be 750 billion

or 14 to 18 million jobs.

[ProSense]

16. The

"Annually 5% of GDP on infrastructure would be 750 billion"

...infrastructure plan is to leverage $650 billion via this initial investment. Add Senator Lautenberg's plan.

Still, even with the initial infrastructure investment, these targeted proposals will have a huge impact.