Obama Can’t Change The State Unemployment Crisis

Obama’s Inability To Affect Change In Washington Has Left The States In Economic Doldrums

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Obama: “The Most Important Lesson I’ve Learned Is That You Can’t Change Washington From The Inside. You Can Only Change It From The Outside.” (President Barack Obama, Univision Town Hall, Miami, FL, 9/20/12)

OBAMA CAN’T CHANGE THE BLEAK ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN THE STATES CAUSED BY HIS OWN POLICIES

Colorado

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, Colorado Has Lost 13,000 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 6.6 Percent To 8.2 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

The Pueblo Chieftain: “Hiring In Colorado Grinds To A Halt.” (Dennis Darrow, “Hiring In Colorado Grinds To A Halt,” The Pueblo Chieftain , 9/22/12)

• For The First Time Since 2005, Colorado’s Unemployment Rate Is Above The National Employment Rate. “For the first time since 2005, Colorado’s unemployment rate is above the national unemployment rate, according to a report from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.” (Michael Davidson, “State Has Higher Jobless Rate Than Nation,” Boulder County Business Report, 9/21/12)

Unemployment: Colorado Has 224,431 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

There Are More Than Twice The Amount Of Unemployed Coloradoans Than There Are People In Pueblo, CO. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)

Colorado Springs “Continues To Struggle To Find Traction In Its Recovery From The Recession.” “Colorado Springs, plagued by high unemployment, continues to struggle to find traction in its recovery from the recession, a report by the Brookings Institution finds.”(Bill Radford, “Study Shows Springs Still Struggling In Its Economic Recovery,” The Gazette, 9/18/12)

• The Unemployment Rate In Colorado Springs In July Was 9.7 Percent, An 18-Month High. “The Springs and Denver ended the second quarter with some of the region’s highest unemployment rates. And things have not improved since then: The unemployment rate in the Colorado Springs area jumped in July, the most recent data available, to 9.7 percent, an 18-month high.” (Bill Radford, “Study Shows Springs Still Struggling In Its Economic Recovery,” The Gazette, 9/18/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Colorado Has Declined From $59,544 To $55,387. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Colorado Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 66 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,”USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 121,306 Coloradoans Have Fallen Into Poverty. (“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

• Colorado’s Child Poverty Rate Is At 17.9 Percent. “Larimer County’s child poverty rate increased to 13.7 percent in 2011, up from 12.9 percent in 2010, but remains below a statewide child poverty rate of 17.9. Fort Collins’ child poverty remains stable at 13 percent.” (Sarah Jane Kyle, “Fort Collins’ Poverty Rate Above County, State Levels,” Coloradoan, 9/19/12)

Florida

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, Florida Has Lost 88,000 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 8.7 To 8.8 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• Since Obama Took Office, More People Than The Entire Population Of Fort Myers, FL, Have Lost Their Jobs. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)
• Florida’s Unemployment Rate Isn’t Expected To Fall Below 7 Percent Until 2016.“Florida’s unemployment rate will probably not fall below 7 percent until 2016, and will be higher than the national unemployment rate until 2018.” (Toluse Olorunnipa, “Economists: Florida Jobless Rate To Remain Bleak,” The Miami Herald, 7/23/12)

Unemployment: Florida Has 817,637 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Florida Has Declined From $49,916 To $44,299. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

• Florida’s Median Household Income Dropped 2.9 Percent Last Year, A Sharp Reminder Of The State’s “Deflated Economy.” “The income of the typical Florida family dropped 2.9 percent last year, one of the sharpest reminders that the Sunshine State’s deflated economy remains mired in unemployment and lower-wage jobs. The decline means we will be financially challenged if we hope to spend our way out of this state’s problems.” (Robert Trigaux, “Florida’s Household Income Slips, Signaling Tougher Recovery Ahead,” Tampa Bay Times, 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Florida Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 88 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,”USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 802,648 Florida Residents Have Fallen Into Poverty. (“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

Iowa

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, Iowa Has Lost 9,900 Jobs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• In August, The Unemployment Rate In Iowa Increased From 5.3 Percent To 5.5 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Unemployment: Iowa Has 89,984 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• There Are More Unemployed Iowans Than There Are People In Dubuque, IA .(U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Iowa Has Increased From $51,172 To $49,427. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Iowa Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 44 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,”USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 43,945 Iowans Have Fallen Into Poverty. (“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

Michigan

Jobs: In August, The Unemployment Rate In Michigan Increased From 9 Percent To 9.4 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Unemployment: Michigan Has 436,595 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• There Are Nearly Four Times As Many Unemployed People In Michigan Than There Are People In Lansing, MI . (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)

Michigan’s Economy “Turned Back The Clock” In August, As The Unemployment Rate Rose To 9.4 Percent. “The Michigan economy turned back the clock during August, bouncing the state unemployment rate to its highest level since November. The jump from July’s jobless rate of 9 percent to 9.4 percent for August marked the fourth straight month the rate has increased after posting 12 straight months where unemployment was flat or declined.” (Brian J. O’Connor, “Michigan Jobless Rate Climbs Again To 9.4%,” The Detroit News , 9/20/12)

• PNC Bank Economist Kurt Rankin: “Michigan Has Been Losing More Employees Since The Middle Of The Year Than The Labor Force Has Been Dropping.”“‘Michigan has been losing more employees since the middle of the year than the labor force has been dropping,’ says Kurt Rankin, an economist with PNC Bank. ‘That’s probably the worst of all worlds in terms of what drives the unemployment rate up in the state.'” (Brian J. O’Connor, “Michigan Jobless Rate Climbs Again To 9.4%,”The Detroit News , 9/20/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Michigan Has Declined From $50,776 To $45,981. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

• “Michigan’s Income Fell More Than The Nation’s As A Whole.” “Michigan’s income fell more than the nation’s as a whole, which declined by 1.3% between 2010 and 2011. The typical Michigan household brought in $45,981 in 2011, about 9% less than it did in 2008, generally regarded as the height of the recession. The drop caused Michigan to fall to 35th from 34th in state income rankings.” (John Wisely, Kristin Tanner, “Michigan’s Kids Suffer Hard Times As Incomes Fall, Poverty Climbs,”Detroit Free Press , 9/20/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Michigan Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 32 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,”USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 283,018 Michigan Residents Have Fallen Into Poverty.(“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

• More Than One Out Of Every Five Michigan Residents Are Surviving At Or Below The Poverty Level. “Statewide, poverty levels have risen from 16 percent in 2007 to nearly 21 percent in 2011. That means more than one out of every five residents are surviving at or below the poverty level of $23,021 for a family of four. Michigan has the 15th highest percentage of poor residents, and median household income continues to fall.” (Steve Pardo, “Census Paints Bleak Picture As 1 In 5 In Michigan Live In Poverty,” The Detroit News, 9/21/12)

Nevada

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, Nevada Has Lost 66,300 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 9.6 Percent To 12.1 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• Since Obama Took Office, More People Than The Entire Population Of Carson City, NV, Have Lost Their Jobs. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)
• “Nevada’s Jobs Economy Took A Turn For The Worse During Summer.” “After improving through the spring, Nevada’s jobs economy took a turn for the worse during summer, all because a national malaise that began in the second quarter finally filtered down to the state’s labor markets.” (Jennifer Robinson, “Las Vegas Valley Unemployment Down, Statewide Rate Up,” Las Vegas Review Journal, 9/21/12)
• Bill Anderson, Chief Economist For The Employment Department: “When You See A Trend Developing Where We’ve Lost Jobs Three Months In A Row, It’s Evidence That National Weakness Has Trickled Down To Nevada.” “‘Losing 1,000 jobs (month to month) isn’t necessarily headline news,’ said Bill Anderson, chief economist for the employment department. ‘However, when you see a trend developing where we’ve lost jobs three months in a row, it’s evidence that national weakness has trickled down to Nevada.'” (Jennifer Robinson, “Las Vegas Valley Unemployment Down, Statewide Rate Up,” Las Vegas Review Journal, 9/21/12)

Unemployment: Nevada Has 165,860 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Nevada Has Declined From $58,883 To $48,927. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Nevada Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 99 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,”USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 136,544 Nevadans Have Fallen Into Poverty. (“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

New Hampshire

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, New Hampshire Has Lost 14,000 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 5.2 Percent To 5.7 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• In August, New Hampshire’s Unemployment Rate Increased From 5.4 Percent To 5.7 Percent As The State Lost 600 Jobs. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Unemployment: New Hampshire Has 41,867 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• There Are As Many Unemployed People In All Of New Hampshire As There Are People In Concord, NH . (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In New Hampshire Has Declined From $66,583 To $62,647. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In New Hampshire Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 60 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,” USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 15,557 New Hampshire Residents Have Fallen Into Poverty.(“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

North Carolina

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, North Carolina Has Lost 56,800 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 9.0 Percent To 9.7 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• Since Obama Took Office, Nearly As Many North Carolinians Have Lost Their Jobs As The Amount Of People In Chapel Hill, NC. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)
• “North Carolina Continues To Have One Of The Worst Jobless Rates In The Country.” “North Carolina continues to have one of the worst jobless rates in the country. Nationally, unemployment stood at 8.1 percent last month.” (“N.C Unemployment Rate Climbs To 9.7 Percent,” WRAL, 9/21/12

Unemployment: North Carolina Has 451,642 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• North Carolina’s Comprehensive Unemployment Rate Is 17.5 Percent, Making It The Fourth-Hardest Hit State In The Country. “Though beginning to show slow improvement, North Carolina’s latest comprehensive unemployment rate of 17.5% makes it the fourth-hardest-hit state in the country. That’s North Carolina’s so-called U6 rate, which factors in the official jobless number in addition to part-time workers who would rather be working full time and “discouraged” workers not included in the announced monthly unemployment tallies.” (Adam O’Daniel, “NC ‘Underemployment’ Rate 17.5%,” Charlotte Business Journal, 9/21/12)
• North Carolina’s Unemployment Rate “Is More Than Twice Pre-Recession Levels Of 4.7 Percent In December 2007.” “North Carolina ranks sixth in the nation for most jobs lost since the start of the Great Recession in late 2007, the report said. The state’s unemployment rate – 9.6 percent in August – is more than twice pre-recession levels of 4.7 percent in December 2007.” (Richard Craver, “Study Cites Dismal Job Stats In Last Decade In N.C.,” Winston-Salem Journal , 9/3/12)
• “The State’s Labor Market Will Take At Least Twice As Long To Return To Pre-Recession Employment Levels.” “‘At its current pace, the state’s labor market will take at least twice as long to return to pre-recession employment levels as it did in following previous recessions,’ according to the report. ‘That will leave larger numbers of workers unemployed for longer periods of time than in the past. For example, about 46 percent of North Carolinians who were unemployed in 2011 were in that scenario for at least 26 weeks.'” (Richard Craver, “Study Cites Dismal Job Stats In Last Decade In N.C.,” Winston-Salem Journal , 9/3/12)
• “North Carolina’s Middle Class Is Starting To Show The Wear And Tear.” “But after more than three years with an unemployment rate higher than the national rate, North Carolina’s middle class is starting to show the wear and tear.” (Craig Jarvis, “North Carolina’s Middle Class Shows The Strain Of Years Of Job Losses,” The Charlotte Observer, 9/2/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In North Carolina Has Declined From $48,632 To $43,916. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In North Carolina Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 52 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,” USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 379,034 North Carolina Residents Have Fallen Into Poverty.(“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

Ohio

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, Ohio Has Lost 16,500 Jobs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Unemployment: Ohio Has 413,357 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• There Are More Unemployed Ohioans Than There Are People In Columbus, OH.(U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Ohio Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 40 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,”USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

• 1 In 6 Ohio Households Struggle To Put Food On The Table. “The recession may have ended but 1 in 6 Ohio households continues to struggle to put food on the table.” (Catherine Candisky, “Report: Ohioans Still Struggling With ‘Food Insecurity,'” The Columbus Dispatch, 9/5/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Ohio Has Declined From $50,136 To $45,749. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 353,646 Ohioans Have Fallen Into Poverty. (“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12) 

Ohio’s Poverty Rate Is At 15.3 Percent, Worse Than The Nation’s. “Ohio’s level of poverty – 15.3 percent – was worse than the nation’s, which was at 15.1 percent. Ohio’s level jumped 2 percentage points from 2009; it has never been this high since those records were first kept in 1980. The worst year before 2010 was 1994, when 14.1 percent of Ohioans were in poverty.” (Bill Bush, “Median Income In Ohio Hits 27-Year Low,”Columbus Dispatch, 9/14/12)

Pennsylvania

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, Pennsylvania Has Lost 900 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 6.8 Percent To 8.1 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Unemployment: Pennsylvania Has 524,547 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• There Are More Unemployed Pennsylvanians Than There Are People In Pittsburgh, PA . (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)
• Pennsylvania “Lost Ground” In August, As Its Unemployment Rate Increased To 8.1 Percent. “After spending four years and three months with a better unemployment rate than the rest of the nation, Pennsylvania lost ground in August, matching the national unemployment rate at 8.1 percent.” (Ann Belser, “Jobless Rate In Pa. Creeps Up To 8.1%,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9/21/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Pennsylvania Has Declined From $52,983 To $50,228. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Pennsylvania Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 39 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,” USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 237,602 Pennsylvanians Have Fallen Into Poverty. (“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

Virginia

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, The Unemployment Rate In Virginia Has Increased From 5.8 Percent To 5.9 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Unemployment: Virginia Has 255,343 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• There Are More Unemployed Virginians Than There Are People In Norfolk, VA.(U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/23/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Virginia Has Declined From $63,974 To $61,882. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Virginia Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 48 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,”USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12)

Poverty: Under Obama, 137,883 Virginians Have Fallen Into Poverty. (“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)

Wisconsin

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, Wisconsin Has Lost 90,800 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 7.2 Percent To 7.5 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

• In August, The Unemployment Rate In Wisconsin Increased From 7.3 Percent To 7.5 Percent. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Unemployment: Wisconsin Has 229,069 Unemployed Seeking Work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 9/23/12)

Median Household Income: Under Obama, The Median Household Income In Wisconsin Has Declined From $54,426 To $50,395. (U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/21/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of People In Wisconsin Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased By 65 Percent. (“Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating ,” Food Research And Action Center, Accessed 8/10/12; “Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program: Number Of Persons Participating,” USDA Food And Nutrition Service , Accessed 8/30/12) 

Poverty: Under Obama, 156,707 Wisconsin Residents Have Fallen Into Poverty.(“Poverty: 2007 And 2008,” U.S. Census Bureau, 10/11; “Poverty: 2010 And 2011,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12)