Job One

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Not everyone is as fortunate as Josh in "The West Wing." Of course, I doubt that Josh's character thought of himself as fortunate.

In the attached clip, Josh is struggling with post–traumatic stress disorder, brought on by injuries he suffered during a presidential assassination attempt. Leo, the chief of staff, tells him a story and assures him, "As long as I've got a job, you've got a job."

Millions of Americans could use that kind of connection these days, even if they don't suffer from post–traumatic stress disorder.

Being unemployed is traumatic enough these days. Jobs are in short supply, there are more applicants for every opening than there have been since the government started keeping track of these things, and now the government is on the verge of taking away the lifeline that is keeping many out–of–work Americans going — their unemployment benefits.

The New York Times, in an editorial it ran yesterday, urged Congress not to forget the least of these. True, hundreds of millions of dollars already have been committed to the big corporations that were in danger of going under earlier this year. No one really seems to have much of an appetite for adding to the national debt. Presumably, the investment that has been made in saving the big companies eventually will translate into more jobs.

But what shall be done about the unemployed in the meantime? Shall they be permitted to slip beneath the waves? What is the alternative? Shall America allow the victims of the recession to be further victimized? If we can keep the banks and the auto companies afloat, can't we keep middle–class and lower–income families from going under?

If the president and the Democrats need any more convincing that job creation is the key to their electoral fortunes in 2010, John Harwood of the New York Times has a reminder: "Whatever the fate of health care legislation, persistently high unemployment has made 'Where are the jobs?' the most potent Republican campaign argument as next year's midterm elections come into view."

If Harwood isn't blunt enough, maybe Robert Kuttner is in his piece on The Huffington Post. Perhaps his headline sums it up for vote–conscious Democrats: "It's the Unemployment, Stupid."