President Obama called Saturday for Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work together to pass legislation reviving the faltering U.S. economy.
In another iteration of what is shaping up to be the president’s reelection pitch, Obama attacked the “partisanship and gridlock” of Washington in his weekly radio address.
{mosads}”So while there’s nothing wrong with our country, there is something wrong with our politics, and that’s what we’ve got to fix,” Obama said. “Because we know there are things Congress can do, right now, to get more money back in your pockets, get this economy growing faster, and get our friends and neighbors back to work.”
The economy’s faltering growth took another shot with Standard & Poor’s decision to downgrade the U.S. debt-rating, which led to a roller coaster week on Wall St.
The nation’s unemployment level remains high at 9.1 percent and consumer confidence plummeted to the lowest level in more than 30 years.
The president pitched several economic policies for Congress to take on: extending the payroll tax cut, increased infrastructure investment, patent reform and foreign trade deals.
“These are all things we can do right now; so let’s do them,” Obama said. “And over the coming weeks, I’ll put forward more proposals to help our businesses hire and create jobs, and won’t stop until every American who wants a job can find one.”
Obama launched his new anti-Washington message on Thursday during an appearance at an advanced battery manufacturer in Michigan.
In his weekend address, he continued his broadside against Congress and asked Americans to join in.
“Members of Congress are at home in their districts right now. And if you agree with me – whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican or not much of a fan of either – let them know,” Obama said. “If you’ve had it with gridlock, and you want them to pass stalled bills that will help our economy right now – let them know.”