The Cleveland Model: Job Creation, the Government, & the Hypocrisy of Governor Haley Barbour

Last week the good news was the pickup of the most jobs in one month in three years - 162,000 to be exact. Today the new hype is that the Dow Jones is slightly above 11,000 for the first time in a year and a half. Both are indicators of the economy slowly creeping back in the right direction - hooray for free market advocates! However, the reality, as all economists will tell you, is that unemployment will continue to lag behind (if not slightly increase) for a long time to come. I'm not trying to be a party pooper; but instead, I'm just keepin it real witch'yall so as to not forget the masses of people living this current American nightmare on Main Street.

And since I'm traveling down the road of stir fried shit where many Americans currently reside - unlike the suits on Wall Street. Lemme show you much more the government themselves can have a significant impact in job creation. Let some people tell it, there's no way the government can create jobs. But, if you take a few minutes to watch the following short documentary created by an independent media source, you'll see differently. In it, you'll be surprised to see just how Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour - one of many republican governors who condemned last years Stimulus Package - is using said federal funds to create jobs. Which isn't too bad for a fat redneck with an accent I might add; especially when he's considered a republican presidential hopeful in 2012; keep his hypocrisy in mind when he makes his run, and remember where you heard it first. Especially if you remember his speech this weekend at the recent SRLC (Southern Republican Leadership Conference) Klan Rally in New Orleans.


Equally as important in the following presentation, is the concept of "The Cleveland Model". Which is, a cooperative model, that creates companies, owned by their workers. Yeah, I know it's a revolutionary and almost "socialist" sounding idea to some. But hey, if it's working in Cleveland, why not employ it everywhere with the aid of government funds via small business incubators all across the country? Hopefully after watching the following video, you'll be motivated to contact your representative in Congress (or local community leaders) about making it happen for your community.

Maybe I'm wrong about this - you tell me - but I think it is imperative that these programs are considered by the Obama administration as we move forawd in tackling the issue of jobs and the economy. But check it out and tell me what you think. Maybe you yourself may be interested in the concept.