Obama in the Promised Land

Obama in the Promised Land

A short time ago, the White House Blog published a post reminding readers that in his last State of the Union President Obama announced his intention to “work with local communities and businesses to create jobs, increase economic security, expand educational opportunities, increase access to quality, affordable housing and improve public safety by creating 20 ‘Promise Zones’ across the country.”

All the blog post is short on specifics, here is what Obama at the address on February 12:

And this year, my administration will begin to partner with 20 of the hardest-hit towns in America to get these communities back on their feet. We’ll work with local leaders to target resources at public safety, and education, and housing. We’ll give new tax credits to businesses that hire and invest. And we’ll work to strengthen families by removing the financial deterrents to marriage for low-income couples, and do more to encourage fatherhood – because what makes you a man isn’t the ability to conceive a child; it’s having the courage to raise one.

Today, in the East Room, Obama announced the first five “Zones,” which will be located in San Antonio, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Southeastern Kentucky, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He went on to call this the defining challenge of our time.

The scamps at the RNC compiled some data on how the president’s policies to date have benefited those areas:

  • Under Obama, San Antonio’s median household income has declined $630 from the 2008 income of $45,567 to $44,937 in 2012. (U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 1/8/14).
  • Under Obama, Philadelphia’s median household income has declined $1,610 from the 2008 income of $38,626 to of $37,016 in 2012. (U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 1/8/14).
  • Under Obama, Los Angeles’ median household income has declined $2,091 from the 2008 income of $51,836 to $49,745 in 2012. (U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 1/8/14). The capita income in the City of Angels has declined $1,238 from the 2008 income of $29,349. (U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 1/8/14) and poverty has risen from 18.9% in 2008 to 21.2% in 2012. (U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 1/8/14).
  • Under Obama, the average per capita income for the eight counties in Southeastern Kentucky has declined by $910 from the 2008 income of $16,792 to $15,882 in 2012. (U.S. Census (U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 1/8/14).
  • Under Obama, the median household income in Bryan County, seat of the Choctaw Nation’s Government, declined $964 from the 2008 income of $38,847 to $37,883 in 2012. (U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 1/8/14).

The president has what is known in the crass world of Polish ethnic jokes as King Midaskowski’s touch: Everything he touches turns to dung.

Howard Portnoy

Howard Portnoy

Howard Portnoy has written for The Blaze, HotAir, NewsBusters, Weasel Zippers, Conservative Firing Line, RedCounty, and New York’s Daily News. He has one published novel, Hot Rain, (G. P. Putnam’s Sons), and has been a guest on Radio Vice Online with Jim Vicevich, The Alana Burke Show, Smart Life with Dr. Gina, and The George Espenlaub Show.

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