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White House Says Those Most in Need Have Not Been Forgotten

1 year ago
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Though it's not new, the Obama administration is promoting its New Foundation, with programs to aid communities most affected by the economic downturn. It's a two-part message: Economic and health-care reform, mortgage relief and a list of other programs are working, yet because the focus is on politics, the message hasn't gotten through, and all Americans may not be taking full advantage.

While lawmakers examine policy with an eye on the approaching midterm elections, the administration wants to get "information out of Washington and into the grassroots," to the people who need it the most, said Corey Ealons, director of African-American media for the White House.

corey ealonsIn a conference call on Tuesday with members of the Trotter Group of black columnists, Ealons was joined by Michael Strautmanis, chief of staff for the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. Though the programs are designed to help Americans "weather this recovery" and prepare for future opportunity, Strautmanis said, they also address disparities that have long existed. Communities of color and underserved communities have been historically and systemically left behind, Ealons said, with gaps in economic opportunity and economic parity "even during the flush times of the Clinton administration."

Background information distributed before the call said the "New Foundation for economic recovery and future prosperity for the nation" means "working with small and minority businesses so they participate in our economic recovery, implementing health care reform to increase access to those who need it most, revitalizing schools to provide the highest quality education possible to children in urban and metropolitan communities, investing in communities to make them more livable, sustainable, and prosperous over the long term, and defending civil rights and civil liberties as we continue to remove barriers to hope and opportunity for all Americans."

As President Barack Obama has done in recent appearances across the country, Ealons painted a picture of the country in January 2009, and the drastic measures he said had to be taken, including "some that were not so popular." As polls predict (and Republicans tout) that anti-incumbent sentiment will punish the Democrats in November, the White House is pushing back by standing on its record.

The effort could be seen in the president's speech to the National Urban League, when he defended his administration's Race to the Top education reform program, and this week when he urged support for the $26 billion jobs bill for state employees, such as teachers and police officers. As White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs expresses frustration with criticism from progressives and the "professional left," the administration is reaching out to its most consistent supporters, African-Americans, while trying to make the point that programs to lower the dropout rate and invest in community colleges, increase consumer literacy and stabilize neighborhoods aid all Americans.

Other programs prepare small businesses owned by women, veterans and those in underserved communities to take part in the federal government's contracting process, Ealons said.

He also said the president is working with members of the Congressional Black Caucus on such policies as green-job training. (The $500 million for competitive green-job training in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes a Pathways Out of Poverty grant for community-based organizations that serve youth and adults.) Health care centers, with an emphasis on preventative care, will "improve the overall health of the community over a period of time," he said, fighting the chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease that disproportionately affect minority and urban neighborhoods.

In a later conversation, Ealons told me the administration is "struggling against forces inside and outside Washington" to stay focused. "We get so caught up in the din and the politics of the conversation," he said, "we miss communicating to real, everyday Americans" the importance of "the opportunities that are available to them in a number of circumstances, from building a business, preparing for a new career or advancing one's education."

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15 Comments

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punnster

The White House didn't forget, but has ignored those most in need for year just to foster a political agenda. Again, too little too late to correct political ineptness.

August 15 2010 at 5:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MIKE4EVER

We seem to think that the president can move mountains, but when you have people working against anything that will help the american people. Republican forget that on the night obama was elected president that they was not going to help him at all no matter how much it would help the american people. They have kept their word, they continue to show us who they really care about.

We fuss about the health care bill, its not great but at least it is a start for people who cannot get insurance or being denied insurance due to pre existing condition. I don't think a lot of you realize that insurance companies could denied you coverage for being seen for sinus infection, or strep throat. Anything that you get seen for at a doctor's office can be taken as pre-existing.

I find it puzzling when people complain about having to pay for medical insurance but will be the first one to go to er for minor illness and not pay the bill. If people would stop and think if more people have insurance, it will give the insurance company the opportunity to stop looking at their bottom line and think about the patient. We have been program to believe that insurance need to be so outrages because it takes money to make money. But when you look at all the big companies who have at least four president and just as many as vice president, making a very huge profit from the tax paper. That is something that the republicans want people to know about. These people making profits off the backs of hard working people and they keep thinking of ways to get more money.

Medications should not be expensive here and not in other places but doing a research can really open ones eyes. We keep thinking that everytime a new medication come out that we have to take, when really it is an older medication with one or two ingredients added so they can change the name. We think that all the profits go into research but it don't. Maybe if it did, we would have a cure for every illness there is. People need to take the time out and look up information about the things that is really going and you just maybe surprise at what you will find.

August 13 2010 at 10:10 PM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to MIKE4EVER's comment
ialbel

If insurance companies stop looking at their bottom line there will be no insurance companies. The hospitals need to make money also. It is funny that we are not that far removed from dirt huts to a point where we think we are entitled to goods and services. Our poor are absolutely wealthy compared to other poor around the world. It is not my duty to pay for other's goods and services no matter how altruistic is seems. For every truly needy person there is an example of someone else bilking the system for everything they can get away with. The blck families in this country are almost destroyed and predominantly sinlge parent homes today. The system has made this desireable and a direct consequence of government largesse.
In a nation like the US where we have a history of being the most generous people on earth, it is sad that we are berated for not caring enough about the underpriviledged and poor. So people expect the government to step into a role that they have no business taking on. and when the government fills that role it is no longer charity. They take our taxes at the point of a gun and we have no say about what or how the money gets spent.

August 15 2010 at 11:03 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
birdy1281

Obama, everyone is in need - stop perpetuating racism in this country by saying that the people stampeding for a free housing application are more deserving than those who actually paid attention in school, worked hard, and pay the taxes to make that free housing possible. Minorities are not underserved. This is a free country - if you want a better life, go work and get it. Otherwise, stop complaining.

August 13 2010 at 9:39 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
birdy1281

In reaching out to blacks above all, you alienate everyone else and further divide this nation along racist lines. Everyone needs help. The economy hurts all equally. If you take advantage of opportunities offered, starting with free public ed, and work hard, there is no reason you should need "extra" help. Get over this victimization garbage.

August 13 2010 at 9:30 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
bolmito

"Those most in need" The Obama administration would like us all to be in need, and so far they are succeeding- Our government,however, was never intended to be the creator and sustaining instrument for our economic system-- apparently, the days of free markets and competition are over. All will be sanctioned by government, from the types of cars we build to the type of healthcare you will receive. Bureaucrats will decide where we work, what we eat and what we do-- If we don't fight to preserve our country it will be a new Amerika!

August 13 2010 at 8:21 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
JC

Note to productive Americans: HIDE YOUR WALLETS!

August 13 2010 at 7:14 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
MusicbyLes Mack

Hey, what about the rest of us!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 13 2010 at 5:06 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
flkewlkid00

the so called job creation by the uber wealthy is nothing but myth,they have stuck the extra money in their pockets and sent even more jobs over seas to make even more money for themselves.

August 13 2010 at 12:27 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
jvabevofox

The only reason the republicans don't want the Bush tax breaks for the top 2% to expire is because they would be raisng there own taxes. Oh poor them.

August 13 2010 at 11:53 AM Report abuse -12 rate up rate down Reply
jvabevofox

The only people that have forgotten the working class are the republicans. Regan took all our tax breaks away to give them to the rich. If you are smart enough to do the math corperate wellfare is what is destroying this country. If these companys can afford to pay there ceos. multimillion dollars pay checks then they don't need all of there wellfare tax breaks. WE THE WORKING CLASS WANT OUR TAX BREAKS BACK! So what if a ceo only makes 1 million dollars instead 50 million a year. Do you honestly think I care. Where are all the jobs they was suppose to create with all there tax brakes China, India, Mexico and so on but not in the U.S.A.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 13 2010 at 11:50 AM Report abuse -12 rate up rate down Reply

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