In his weekly address, President Obama continued to promote his “we can’t wait” campaign and attack Republicans in Congress for not “paying attention” to the economy. 

Arguing that the middle class is losing ground while the rich become richer, the president said his “common-sense jobs proposals” would jump-start employment and set the economy on the right track if it weren’t for Republicans standing in the way. 

“Republicans in Congress aren’t paying attention,” he said. “They’re not getting the message.  Over and over, they have refused to even debate the same kind of jobs proposals that Republicans have supported in the past – proposals that today are supported not just by Democrats, but by Independents and Republicans all across America.

“And yet,” he added, “somehow, they found time this week to debate things like whether or not we should mint coins to celebrate the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Meanwhile, they’re only scheduled to work three more weeks between now and the end of the year.” 

With his $447 billion jobs bill stymied on Capitol Hill, Obama outlined his case for executive action.

“The truth is, we can no longer wait for Congress to do its job,” he said. “The middle-class families who’ve been struggling for years are tired of waiting.  They need help now.  So where Congress won’t act, I will.”

The president reiterated the argument he made throughout the country this week as he unveiled unilateral initiatives aimed at boosting the economy, including efforts to help “underwater” homeowners re-finance, to create new job opportunities for veterans and to introduce a new student loan relief plan. 

“These steps will make a difference. But they won’t take the place of the bold action we need from Congress to get this economy moving again,” Obama said. ”That’s why I need all of you to make your voices heard.  Tell Congress to stop playing politics and start taking action on jobs.  If we want to rebuild an economy where every American has the chance to get ahead, we need every American to get involved.  That’s how real change has always happened, and that’s how it’ll happen today.”