New jobs are cause for relief for Republicans

[FVZA_Colonel]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061018/pl_nm/economy_hiring_dc



New jobs are cause for relief for Republicans
By Andrea Hopkins

COLUMBUS, Ind (Reuters) - In the struggling factory heartland of America, the prospect of a hiring spree brings out proud executives, ecstatic employees and a lot of very relieved Republicans.

The announcement this month by diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. that 600 to 800 jobs would be created at its once-decimated Columbus plant drew two U.S. congressmen and the state governor, Republicans all, to celebrate the success of drawing new jobs to their district.

"We still have challenges, but there are more people working today in America than ever before ... and it's good news," said Rep. Mike Sodrel, who is trailing Democrat Baron Hill in polls for the November 7 election, when control of Congress is at stake.

That there are more Americans working now than ever before is not really much of an accomplishment -- there are more Americans, period, due to population growth -- but in the rust-belt states of middle America, any job growth in an election year is reason to revel.

[alfredo]

1. After Nov 7 they are going to be needing a

private sector job.

[rkc3]

2. What kinds of jobs have been created?

Sure 600-800 jobs at the Cummins plant might be nice - but I can guarantee they aren't paying what they did 10 years ago.

Also, with Wal-Mart as the nation's largest employer, you can quess the quality of jobs that were created generate a portion of the purchasing power compared to jobs created prior to the recession.

[liberal N proud]

3. Announce the creation of jobs this month

But will they really develop those jobs after November 7th?

[patrice]

4. That's nice.

My husband just got laid off again.

[Tempest]

5. Only 2.72 million manufacturing jobs to go before they break even

2.8 million manufacturing jobs have been lost since Bush took office.

[lapfog_1]

6. Look behind the numbers....

Why do we need more diesel engines?

Oh, so we can build more trucks, of the 18 wheel variety.

Why do we need more trucks?

Because we are importing more stuff from China and other overseas locations.

I own a truck... my truck earns TWICE as much traveling from California to the east coast than
it does from the east coast or midwest to California. Why? Because there is much more demand
to ship products from the west coast ports to the east than there is to ship products from
east coast or midwest factories to the west (or overseas). Much, much more. Silly amounts more.
So truckers can charge good rates for travel east, but basically get paid gas money and not much
more for travel west.

So they are adding 800 jobs on an engine manufacturing plant to build truck engines.
Just one more sign of our slipping economic might.
China now holds ONE TRILLION dollars in foreign debt instruments, 70 percent from the US.

We are eating the seed corn folks. Seriously.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

15. I considered running my 2 trucks east during the seasonal slowdowns...

but you're right, the trips home didn't even pay fuel and salary. No way the boss was going to go for that.

we REALLY need to start rebuilding our railroad infrastructure. :(

[Megahurtz]

7. What a Joke. n/t

[gizmo1979]

8. 600 oooo that will help the middle class

out.Cummins is in a highly volatile business here today gone tommorrow.

[ozymandius]

9. How is 600 to 800 supposed to make a meaningful dent in 190k w/o jobs?

just asking

[OhioChick]

11. Good question. n/t

[Anakin Skywalker]

10. Yay! More tax dollars to FUND the war in Iraq!

Time to celebrate indeed!

[Generic Brad]

12. MN lost 12,500 jobs last month

Republicans are not very relieved over here.

[area51]

13. "more people working today in America than ever before"

BULLSHIT. We have fewer people working now, b/c there are fewer jobs here in America, in this terrible economy.

[The Anti-Neo Con]

14. Just a drop in the bucket.

600-800 new jobs is nothing. When they can claim they created MILLIONS of jobs, like were created during the Clinton administration, then I'll give them credit and call it a success, but we all know that's not going to happen.

[heliarc]

16. I hope this country downsizes ....

The Congress and performs a strategic rehire... to replace the seats in Congress with some Democrats. Those are some job losses I can't wait to see.