The response we need to jobs report

The recent jobs report did not look good. At 6.1 percent, we have reached the average jobless rate since 1970.

Seems as though President Bush's watch is now average.

It could get a lot worse though if our policymakers continue to do nothing.

Didn't the economy grow by 3.3 percent in the second quarter? Wasn't productivity, as reported up 4.3 percent?

Now, if the Bush tax cuts are made permanent, our purchasing power will remain intact.

If the Democratically controlled Congress lets the tax cuts lapse, it will be able to take credit for the recession that will surely follow.

Let's drill for oil and natural gas in the Arctic, shale and offshore to increase security, continue to lower fuel prices, create real jobs, help pull the world out of recession, get less dependent on the "goons" in Russia, Iran, Saudi and South America, lower inflation so the Feds can cut rates again and create opportunities to develop more clean energy alternatives.

James A. Wagner

Barrington