Voice support for Obama's econ plan

The U.S. is facing the most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression. Just how long the recession lasts depends upon how quickly we take steps to counter it. In 2008, the economy lost a net total of 2.6 million jobs, the most since 1945, when nearly 2.8 million jobs were lost.

More than 300 of the country's leading economists have called for immediate passage of a significant and broad-based jobs and economic recovery package. A package must include investments in alternative energy technology to create millions of new jobs and generate billions in public revenue and tackle the issue of climate change and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

We must also provide grants to state and local governments so that they will not be forced to raise taxes, lay off workers and cut services in the middle of a downturn.

Finally, we need investments in public infrastructure that will provide a crucial shot in the arm for the economy and create hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs to strengthen our middle class.

I encourage all residents of Illinois to contact our state representatives and tell them to support President-Elect Obama's economic recovery plan.

Pamela Starbird

Waukegan