Unemployed React to President's Visit
WMBD/WYZZ-TV-EAST
PEORIA--For many recently laid off workers, today's Presidential visit is
bitter sweet.
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By: Iris Pérez - WMBD/WYZZ
Updated: February 13, 2009
WMBD/WYZZ-TV-EAST PEORIA--For many recently laid off workers, today's Presidential visit is bitter sweet. Despite the promise of bringing jobs back to CAT, many find themselves out of work.
Electrical Engineer Jody Feigle says rather than complaining, he’s being proactive.
While the top of Feigle's sign is clearly offering Obama support stating, "President Obama How Can I Help You?" the bottom is where the meat of his message lies.
“The bottom says I’m an electrical engineer, I’m trained in most of the things people would want to have in manufacturing and I’m unemployed, I’m looking to help and a job would be great,” smiled Feigle.
As for why he wants to shift the focus off of tax relief, “Tax relief would absolutely help the American economy in the long run, absolutely! But it's not going to help me pay my bills tomorrow.”
Laid off workers on the other side of town agree.
“Patience is a virtue, but sometimes patience has a way of waning and going away,” chuckled laid off worker Bob Corrigan.
Corrigan's patience is wearing thin because he's been out of work for more than nine months, and while Obama's visit brings him hope, he's being realistic.
“I hope he can deliver on his message. It's going to be a hard presidency his first 2-3 years.”
Ron Dunbar just got laid off today but says the President's speech helps him take a load off at the bar.
“I'm just kind of glad that he's here and whatever he's trying to do will help us out. It's going to be tough and it's going to take awhile for this to kick back in,” sighed Dunbar.
All laid off workers hope President Obama uses motivation to put his wheels of change into motion.
I-Stock Analysts reports there are more than 500, 000 people without jobs in Illinois, And nearly five million people out of work nationwide.
