American Morning
In Depth: Minority unemployment in America
According to a report issued by the National Urban League at the end of July, the Great Recession and the subsequent recovery has pushed the black unemployment rate back close to levels recorded in the early 1980s, with 16.2% of African Americans unemployed in June.
In light of these staggering statistics, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) kicked off a month long, five-city "For the People" job fair/town hall initiative on Monday. CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver hopes that the campaign will force Congress and the White House to recognize that at nearly double the national rate, unemployment in black communities has reached crisis level.
On American Morning today, Representative Cleaver and Bill Rodgers, a Rutgers University professor, weigh in on the minority unemployment in the U.S., discussing potential solutions and the disappointment many minorities feel toward President Obama about how he has approached the problem.
Talkback: Should President Obama call Congress back to deal with the budget?
Following months of bitter negotiation over raising the debt ceiling, Congress has been on vacation since reaching an eleventh hour agreement on legislation in early August.
Since then, America's credit rating has been downgraded by Standard & Poor's and the stock market has taken a beating, prompting lawmakers from both side of the aisle to urge Congress to return to work on Capitol Hill.
Talkback: Should President Obama call Congress back to deal with the budget?
Let us know what you think. Your answer may be read on today's broadcast.
Philadelphia Mayor Nutter on curfew enforcement: 'Government cannot raise people's children'
In response to a string of mob attacks that have brought about vandalism and violence in Philadelphia over the past few months, Mayor Michael Nutter unveiled a curfew for the city's youth yesterday.
Children under 13 must be home by 10pm, while teens between 13 and 18 will have a midnight curfew. Teens caught violating the provisions could be fined between $100 and $300, while parents get a warning for the first infringement and could face up to $500 in fines for subsequent violations.
In an impassioned speech at the Mount Carmel Baptist church, Nutter called for community leaders and volunteers to step up to help youths, remarking that it is parents' responsibility to raise their children properly. He also laid blame to the teens saying that in participating in these mobs, "You damage yourself, you damage another person, you damage your peers, and quite honestly you damage your own race."
Mayor Nutter joins Ali Velshi on American Morning today to explain why he instituted the curfew and to weigh in on the violent incidents that have occurred throughout the city.
Are Presidential candidates blurring the line between church and state?
Numerous Republican Presidential prospects have been using religion on the campaign trail, especially in this week leading up to the influential Ames Iowa Straw Poll.
Tony Perkins' Family Research Council is supporting the "Values Voter bus tour" this week, which will cover 1,305 miles in four days with candidates including Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, and most likely Michele Bachmann. Perkins, an influential Christian leader, also co-hosted Governor Rick Perry's prayer day this past Saturday.
Perkins joins Jonathan Merritt, Christian commentator, on American Morning today to discuss how much religion is playing a part in the GOP candidates' campaigns and to weigh in on where the line should be drawn between religion and politics.
Dow drops more than 600 points yesterday – how are the markets reacting today?
Following Standard & Poor's Friday downgrade of the United States' credit rating, Wall Street had its worst day yesterday since the 2008 recession.
U.S. stocks have fallen 15% during the past two weeks and Monday's beating was the most brutal thus far, amounting to a paper loss of about $1 trillion.
Jim Awad, managing director for Zephyr Management, discusses the state of the markets with Ali Velshi on American Morning today.
Six GOP state senators face recall in Wisconsin today
Six Wisconsin State Senate Republicans who supported Governor Walker's bill to curb collective bargaining rights for most public employees will be forced to defend their seats in a recall election today.
If Republicans lose just three seats, Democrats will regain control of the Senate, a rebuff that could send a message to GOP lawmakers nationwide about reelection in 2012.
Amy Kremer's Tea Party Express has been holding rallies across the state in support of Walker's policies, while local unions, including the Services Employees International Union (SEIU), have been protesting the measure.
Kremer and Dian Palmer, president of the SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, join Carol Costello on American Morning today to discuss what both of their organizations are fighting for in today's recall.
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