Economy adds 243,000 jobs in Jan; unemployment drops to 8.3%

Great news for President Obama – not so great for Mitt Romney.

The folks in the White House couldn’t have asked for a better January jobs report.

The AP: In the most impressive jump for the job market since the middle of last decade, the unemployment rate fell for the fifth-straight month after a surge of January hiring, a promising shift in the nation’s outlook for job growth. The Labor Department says employers added 243,000 jobs in January, the most in nine months. The unemployment rate dropped to 8.3% from 8.5% in December. That’s the lowest in nearly three years.

Remember, Mitt Romney’s biggest argument for being President is that President Obama “didn’t cause the recession, but he made it worse.” Check out the chart below. It shows the rise and fall of unemployment applications. The arrow shows when President Obama’s stimulus policies took affect. Now seriously, does it LOOK like President Obama’s policies “made it worse?”

In addition, the stock market is already off to its fastest start in 15 years as more investors start to believe the economic recovery is finally for real and will only get stronger. The Dow has gained 4 percent in 2012.

Some facts comparing the last GOP administration’s affect on the stock market versus President Obama:

• 60 percent: Increase in the Dow Jones Industrial average during the first three years of President Barack Obama’s term, up 4,771 points to Friday’s close of 12,720 as his fourth year begins.

• -1 percent: Decline in the Dow during President Bush’s first term from 2001 to 2005, dropping 116 points to 10,471.

• -24 percent: Decline in the Dow during President George W. Bush’s second term from 2005 to 2009, dropping 2,522 points to 7,949.

Unemployment improving, stock market improving, our military out of Iraq… And Mitt Romney says we’re heading in the WRONG direction???

A Day at the Beach – Claire’s Place Foundation & Joe Manganiello

Come Join Joe Manganiello and Chad Lowe for “A Day at the Beach with Claire’s Place Foundation” Featuring Jeff Blair Fitness

Plus Live Music and Lots of Fun for the Entire Family! Come enjoy some fun in the sun for a great cause:
* Scheduled Celebrity Appearances
* Lionheart Fitness Kids sporting activities for all ages from
10am to Noon
* You can enjoy a fun group workout with Jeff Blair Fitness for teens and adults at 10:30am
* Live Music by Adam Darling, Franchot Tone and Adam Topol

If you make a donation of $50.00 or more, Claire’s Place Foundation will send you a signed copy of Joe Manganiello on the cover of Muscle and Fitness Magazine!

Claire’s Place Foundation is a fully recognized 501c3 aimed at supporting families living with cystic fibrosis. Visit the website to learn more about specific programs and subscribe to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities.

Click here for event details.

Donate $50 and get an autographed copy of Muscle & Fitness with Joe on the cover

Southern Poverty Law Center sues VA on behalf of female soldier

From the Southern Poverty Law Center: Tracey Cooper-Harris served her country for 12 years in the U.S. Army. She received more than two dozen medals and commendations. She was honorably discharged in 2003. In 2010, Cooper-Harris was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disabling disease that attacks the brain and central nervous system. The Department of Veterans Affairs denied Cooper-Harris’ request for benefits for her partner, even though their same-sex marriage was recognized by California.

The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of Cooper-Harris and her partner, charging that the Department of Veterans Affairs discriminated against them by denying these benefits but granting them to spouses in heterosexual marriages. It also charges the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional because it bans federal agencies from recognizing such same-sex marriages, denying these couples benefits available to couples in heterosexual marriages