Persisting Foreclosures and Unemployment Making Voters Critical
Persisting foreclosures and unemployment are making voters critical of Obama – they want more of action and less of talk from him. Al Melquist, a software engineer, now unemployed, is a voter. When he voted for Obama during the 2008 elections he was attracted by the charisma and promises of the candidate. There was talk about solving the problems relating to the economy and the two wars.
But since that time Melquist has despaired of finding a job. His previous residence is in Las Vegas is empty after it had been foreclosed when his landlord failed to pay dues. His savings are evaporating as he struggles to care for his family of five.
Melquist is not alone – there are thousands in the same boat. They are listening to the broadcasts by Obama but this time their mood is more wary and cautious. Too many voters in too many places are in the same if not worse plight since they seated Obama in the White House. Many are so bitter that have become apathetic towards all the political yapping and promises. Melquist said, “He just says so many things. I just don’t trust what he says is actually going to happen.”
In a recent speech Obama admitted that the economy continues to be bad – people are without jobs, businesses have closed down and home values have fallen. The change that he had talked about has not been fast enough, Obama said, He also that the time has come to “seize this moment” so as to “get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth.”
Obama struck the right note in his efforts to feel the pulse of the people but many are skeptical about whether he and his team will be able to enforce into reality these reassurances.
Jeorge Carrillo is a nurse in Miami Beach. He was sorely disappointed that the health care bill could not pass through. He blamed Obama for making wide statements without specifying plans. However he was happy that Obama was urging the legislators not to allow the health reform to be pushed into the back yard. Carrillo said, “I’m cautiously hopeful. You talk a good talk, now walk the walk. Let’s see you walk and walk.”
Jobs are of primary importance especially in some of the states like Nevada and Michigan. The inflow of tourists into Nevada has vastly dropped thanks to the economic climate being clouded by foreclosures, unemployment and bankruptcies. Nevada topped the foreclosure numbers in 2009 with over one out of ten houses being in some stage of foreclosure. Here the unemployment rate touched 13% last December.
