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SALT LAKE CITY -- President Barack Obama announced his jobs plan before a joint session of Congress Thursday night. But for the many individuals unemployed, it was just another plan meant to create more jobs.
It has been frustrating for people who have been out of work for months, with some losing their unemployment benefits. And yet, politicians can't seem to work together to compile a plan to bring in new jobs. And with time running out in the president's term, he's pushing for Washington to come together and pass his new act.
"There's just not the demand out there," said Robert Mertens, who is currently unemployed. "It's just a big spiraling circle."
Mertens has been out of work for longer than he likes to talk about, even though he holds three degrees, including a Masters. And he doesn't think Washington is helping.
"Nobody seems to want to work together," he said.
And that's exactly what the president is trying to change when he announced the American Jobs Act.
There's just not the demand out there. It's just a big spiraling circle.
–Robert Mertens
"It will provide a tax break for companies who hire new workers, and it will cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business," President Obama said. "It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled, and give companies confidence that if they invest and hire, there will be customers for their products and services."
NBC News reported the president's plan would cost about $450 billion. The president said he hoped to pay for the act by closing corporate tax "loopholes" and by raising taxes on wealthier Americans. However, Mertens is skeptical anything will change, which is why he's continuing to focus on his job search.
"That's what you have to do," Mertens said. "If you stop trying, you're not going to go anywhere."
The president also discussed extending unemployment benefits and giving companies incentives to hire people who have been out of work for more than six months.
Email: jstagg@ksl.com
