More Boehner nonsense on jobs and the economy

Over on The Hill’s Congress Blog, House Minority Leader John
Boehner’s (R-Ohio) staff has posted the text of his speech today before the
American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee. I noted in an earlier post Boehner’s
lack of ideas when it comes to solutions to address our economic situation.
Little did I know he would prove me right, again, and so quickly.

Here is the verbatim transcript of his speech’s section on
“Jobs and the Economy.”

JOBS AND
THE ECONOMY

As
important as our government’s commitment to provide quality healthcare for our
veterans may be, just as important is a commitment to the dignity and respect
that comes from holding a job.

Today, as
thousands of our warriors come home seeking to provide for their families and
realize the American Dream they have volunteered to defend, awaiting them is an
economy that affords neither opportunities nor jobs. Veterans’ unemployment is
now at 11 percent.

That is
why I have called on my colleagues in the Congress and the president to join me
in supporting a series of immediate actions to end the ongoing economic
uncertainty and help more Americans find an honest day’s work.

‘Stimulus’
spending sprees, permanent bailouts, federal mandates and government takeovers
have failed this nation and have failed our veterans.

It’s time
for a fresh start so that every man and woman who has donned the uniform of our
nation knows that when they leave the service, the opportunity for a good job
in the private sector awaits them. [John Boehner, Aug. 31, 2010. Source: The
Hill’s Congress Blog.]

That’s approximately 175 words devoted to “jobs and the
economy” and jobs for veterans. Included in the short passage is not one, not
two, but at least five veiled attacks on the president. What’s not included? He
doesn’t outline a single, solitary initiative, concept or idea on how to put
veterans back to work. There is, however, lots of wrapping himself in the flag
— but not one concrete idea or proposal on how to help our returning soldiers
find a job — with our veteran unemployment at “11 percent.”

By my count — that’s two speeches related to the economy in
less than a week that lack any substance, new ideas or solutions to address our
economy.

Later in the American Legion speech, Boehner includes a
section titled: “Ideas Matter.” Let me save you the suspense — no, it doesn’t
include any ideas, either.