American Morning
African American unemployment at its highest level since 1984
The August jobs report released by the Labor Department on Friday painted a bleak picture about racial inequality in the jobs market. Unemployment for African Americans is now at an astounding 16.7%, its highest level since 1984. This is more than double the unemployment figure for whites, which fell slightly last month to 8%.
With President Obama set to lay out his jobs plan in a highly-anticipated speech on Thursday, what does he need to say to restore faith in the African American public about jobs?
Robert Kuttner, co-founder and co-editor of American Prospect, and C. Nicole Mason, executive director of the NYU Women of Color Policy Network, join Christine Romans today to weigh in on black unemployment in America and what can be done right now to help ease the unemployment situation.
Union members to 'March for Jobs' in Pittsburg today
More than 70,000 people are expected to march in a Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh today geared at bringing a special focus on jobs and the unemployed. It's dubbed the "March for Jobs."
Organizers have made it clear that any politicians who are hostile to the labor movement are not welcome at the event and will be turned away.
This morning on American Morning, Allegeny County President of the AFL-CIO Jack Shea and Jim Bonner, an unemployed transit worker attending the march, explain what they think needs to happen to get Americans back to work.
U.S. economy added no jobs in August, according to jobs report released this morning
The federal government reported the worst unemployment number since September 2010 this morning in its jobs report, which stated that the U.S. economy added no jobs in August. The unemployment rate stayed steady at 9.1%.
As President Obama prepares to make his jobs speech next Thursday, these are very disappointing numbers that indicate that the economy is looking bleaker.
Kenneth Rogoff, professor of economics at Harvard University, weighs in on the unemployment rate today on American Morning.
"It is discouraging but it's not that surprising," Rogoff says. "We have not left the recession. I think that is the point most Americans understand"
Rogoff also weighs in on the state of the economy and what could bring relief to the American people in Obama's speech next week.
"Confidence," he says. "People and companies need confidence that this is going to turn around."
Is college worth the costs? Christine Romans looks at the numbers
A shaky economy and high tuition prices have some wondering if a college education is worth the cost.
CNN's Christine Romans breaks down the numbers this morning on American Morning. The bottom line: Education pays. See the video above.
Rep. Kucinich: Immelt should resign from Obama's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is calling for General Electric's CEO and Chairman Jeffrey Immelt to resign as head of President Obama's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness because, according to reports, GE is sending advanced technology to China.
Rep. Kucinich says GE's selling advanced technology to China was designed to help the company's bottom line and will also help create jobs in China, instead of in the United States.
In an August 24th press release, Rep. Kucinich said, "If he does not resign, the White House should remove him."
Rep. Kucinich talks to American Morning about his call for Immelt to step aside.
Can Obama get Americans back to work?
With a new jobs plan expected next week, President Obama has announced that Alan Kreuger will be the Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors. Can Kreuger, a labor economist, help Obama get the middle class back to work?
Don Peck, author of "Pinched" and Features Editor for The Atlantic, and Stephen Moore, Sr. Economics Writer for The Wall Street Journal Editorial Page, talk to American Morning about getting America back to work.
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