American Morning
How can America's middle class get back on their feet?
This morning, Demos, the non-partisan public policy research organization, is set to release its new report, "The Great Unraveling: A Portrait of the Middle Class."
The report shows how the middle class is being cornered by rising costs and illustrates how economic prospects are diminishing for America's youth.
Tamara Draut, vice president of policy and program for Demos, joins Christine Romans today to discuss the organization's findings and to explain why she thinks that the Obama administration needs to develop bold, short-term measures to help the country's middle class.
Rep. Paul Broun: 'The president doesn't listen.'
Congressman Paul Broun (R-Ga.) is among a handful of members who have decided not to attend President Obama's speech before Congress tonight.
Instead, Rep. Broun will watch the speech from his office, where he'll hold a "Twitter town hall" with his constituents to discuss the president's plan and to receive feedback from his district about how to create jobs in America.
Representative Broun joins Carol Costello on American Morning today to explain why he's not attending the president's speech despite concerns over partisan gridlock in Congress.
"The thing is, the president doesn't listen," Rep. Broun tells Costello. "This is just another campaign speech. He's just focusing on the 2012 election and that's what it's all about. We're seeing the same proposals of big government spending. It's failed over and over again."
Talk Back: How should the president handle the country's divisiveness in his speech tonight?
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From CNN's Carol Costello:
At tonight's speech, President Obama will not only face a bitterly divided Congress, but also a bitterly divided nation.
Some Republicans have already dismissed Obama's speech, saying any proposal from the president will amount to little more than a continuation of what they characterize as his failed 2009 stimulus plan. A few Republicans, such as Congressman Walsh and Senator Vitter, don't even plan on attending. Instead, Rep. Walsh will engage in a "Twitter town hall" meeting and Sen. Vitter will host a NFL football party.
This has left many commentators, such as columnist Paul Krugman, wondering why the president should even bother with bipartisanship because Republicans will "oppose anything Mr. Obama proposes."
However, there are Republican leaders who have said that they are willing to work with the president. In a letter to Mr. Obama, House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor wrote, "It is also critical that our differences not preclude us from taking action in areas where there is common agreement. We should not approach this as an all or nothing situation."
Talk Back: How should the president handle the country's divisiveness in his speech tonight?
Let us know what you think. Your response may be read on this morning's broadcast.
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'Terror in the dust:' Toxins from Twin Towers believed to be killing first responders
Nearly three thousand people died on September 11th when the Twin Towers came crumbling to the ground, although many New Yorkers believe that this figure needs to be adjusted higher due to what they call the "terror in the dust."
A decade after the disaster, many believe that the toxins contained in the dust that blanketed the Ground Zero site are still killing 9/11 first responders.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta brings a sample of this dust to American Morning today and explains what is in the substance that could make people sick.
What would it take to get small businesses to hire? Two job creators explain
According to the U.S. Treasury, small businesses create sixty percent of the jobs in America and employ about half of the country's workforce. With economic and job growth at a relative standstill, many small business owners are eagerly anticipating President Obama's jobs speech on Thursday.
Patty Briguglio and Christopher Zane, small business owners, are both invested in the potential measures the president could announce this week. Briguglio is the president of MMI Public Relations and Zane is the founder of Zane's Cycles, one of the largest retail bicycle stores in the nation.
Both Briguglio and Zane join Alina Cho on American Today to discuss what they want to hear from President Obama and to explain what it will take to get them to hire.
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