In the Democratic weekly address to the nation today, President-elect Barack Obama expressed that he was glad that President Bush is meeting with world leaders this weekend to coordinate a quick response to the global financial crisis.

He also said that while it was important to address the global crisis, that it was important to immediately address the economic problems here at home. Among his concerns are the nearly 1.2 million jobs lost over the past ten months in the U.S., as well the failing auto industry that has contributed to many of those lost jobs.

Obama urges Congress to pass "at least a down-payment on a rescue plan" when they meet next week to help create jobs that will help American families and give the economy a boost. He also wants to help those whose unemployment benefits are about to expire. Obama said that he will make it his first order of business as president if Congress doesn't pass a plan to help the nation's money woes immediately.

Some of Obama's economic plans also include creating two million jobs by fixing roads, bridges, and schools and creating five million jobs by investing $150 billion in green energy programs. Affordable health care, reducing costs for small business, and a world-class education for children are also high on his list of priorities.

For the first time ever, the weekly Democratic address has been released as a web video, and it will also continue to air on the radio. President-elect Obama plans to to publish these weekly updates through the Transition and continue them from the White House as president. You can directly access Obama's weekly address at www.change.gov



Source:
www.change.gov