On the complexities of creating (and saving) jobs

An amusing account of our government in action:

How did Kentucky shoe store owner Buddy Moore save nine jobs with just $889.60 in federal stimulus money? He didn’t, and that’s turning into a big headache for him.

Mr. Moore's daughter, who helped him with the paperwork, ponders the thorny job-creating dilemma:

“The question, I would like to know is: How do you answer that? Did we create zero? Is it creating a job because they have boots and go out and work for the Corps? I would be really curious to hear how somebody does create a job. The formula is out there for anyone to create, and it’s just so difficult,” she said.

If she comes up with any answers she ought to pass them on to our president who admits he's got nothing is open to ideas:

With unemployment rising and expected to be in double digits as lawmakers run for reelection next year, Obama conveyed a sense of urgency as he met with business executives, labor officials and economists who sit on his economic advisory board.

“Congress is going to be looking to act,” Obama told the committee during an hourlong meeting in the Roosevelt Room. “To the extent that we have very clear, crisp recommendations that we can present before them and do so soon, the better off we’re going to be.”

As for those lawmakers worrying about jobs, this is priceless:

Vulnerable House and Senate Democrats want their leaders to skip the party’s controversial legislative agenda for next year to help save their seats in Congress.

[. . .]

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D), a centrist contemplating a run for Senate in North Carolina, helped Democratic leaders in the summer by voting for climate change legislation on the House floor.

He now wants Democratic leaders to narrow their focus on jobs and the economy.

“Three things ought to be the top priority: jobs, jobs and jobs,” he said.

Lincoln said that lawmakers should focus on passing healthcare reform and wait until next year to effect financial regulatory reform and reduce unemployment.

“That’s an awful lot to bite off and chew for right now,” said Lincoln, who described herself as “not in a hurry” to tackle climate change, an issue she has some jurisdiction over as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Sen. Evan Bayh (D), who is running for reelection in conservative-leaning Indiana, said “jobs should be our top priority and we shouldn’t do anything that detracts from that,” echoing a sentiment of many colleagues in similar positions.

Read the rest for more of this post-Nov.-3rd-election priority shift. Maybe the adjective "transparent" can be applied to Congress after all.

h/t: Hot Air

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