Low income

Recent polls show some glimpse of positive thinking when it comes to the economy but there remains little for the low and middle income people to celebrate. The labor participation rate is the lowest it has been in 36 years. This represents the number of people who could be working compared to those who are working. These people are in the low and middle income groups. The housing market has made a slow and painful comeback but this group cannot get loans with the new income and down payment requirements. The stock market is up but that is no help for this group. Wages for this group have been stagnant for years and prices continue to rise and that is why they are pessimistic about the future. These are the people whom President Obama keeps saying he wants to help but the only bright spot for them has been the price of gasoline which The President, with his opposition to fossil fuels, has done nothing to help. Now he wants to help by giving them government handouts in the form of tax credits and free college. What these people want and need are good jobs and that is where the emphasis should be, but that has to be done through the private sector. Start by expanding the energy industry and move from coal to oil to natural gas especially in transportation and power plants. This will by its very nature open the door to infrastructure projects and all of this provides good paying jobs for low and middle income people.