Here’s your weekly quick look at few developing stories in the political arena:

• President Obama’s top economist adviser Austan Goolsbee announced Monday night that he is leaving to return to teaching at the University of Chicago. This is a bit of a surprise, as he had been a vocal defender of Obama’s economic policies and a close friend.  (Full Story)

• Angela Merkel, Germany’s Chancellor, visited the White House on Tuesday and expressed her views on Libya saying that she supports the mission and that Gadhafi should step down.She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor. (Full Story)

• A two-year congressional investigation has showed that our Afghan nation-building program had only limited success  and the country may not survive an American withdrawal. The report says the U.S. should rethink its assistance programs. This comes as President Obama prepares to begin drawing down the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan this summer. (Full Story). Also, a recent CNN Poll shows that support for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan is rising and the support for the war is at it’s lowest point this year.

• The state of Florida now requires anyone applying for welfare to a pass a drug test. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law last week.  It also charges each person for the test however those who pass the drug test would be refunded the test cost but those who fail or test positive for drugs would be out the drug tests cost – which is between $10 to $70. Michigan passed a similar law in 2003 but the 6th circuit court of appeals found it to be unconstitutional. (Full Story)

• And finally your #Weinergate follow up: Nancy Pelosi calls for ethics investigation Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called for Weiner to resign.  Some Democrats have also called on him publicly to resign. Weiner says his wife Huma Abedin wants him to stay in Congress, and polling data shows a majority of New York City voters want him to remain in office, so he will not resign.  It was also reported this week that his wife Huma Abedin is expecting the couple’s first child. (Full Story)

A quick look at a few developing stories in the political arena:

• A recent CNN Poll shows Americans who view the economy in poor shape is at its highest level it has been in the past two years. 84% of Americans polled rate the current economic conditions as poor, up 9 points from January. Rising gas prices, unemployment, and the deficit are the 3 main concerns of the problems our economy is facing.  56% questioned say they support using the government’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, to put more oil on the market to combat rising prices.

The SPR is an emergency fuel store of oil maintained by the Department of Energy. It is the largest reserve supply in the world with the current capacity to hold up to 727 million barrels.  There are fears that 4$ gallon of gas will hurt the economic recovery and White House Chief of Staff William Daley said recently that the administration was considering tapping into the reserve. Critics of this believe that it will only have minimal impact at the pump and that the reserve should be saved for a more serious situation.

• House of Representatives vote to eliminate funding for NPR. In pretty much a party line vote, the House of Representatives  voted 228 to 192 to eliminate all federal funding to NPR. NPR has about 27 million listeners and only about 2% of NPR’s overall budget comes from the federal government, but its member stations rely heavily on funding from both federal and state government. The house-passed bill would prevent affiliate stations from using federal funds to pay for NPR produced programs or member dues. Supporters of the bill said the measure could save the government up to 60 million a year.

• Hillary Clinton says no to second-term. According to an interview with CNN’S Wolf Blitzer, Secretary of State Clinton does not wish to serve a second term if President Obama is re-elected in 2012. She also said she would not want to be Secretary of Defense, Vice President, or President of the United States. Many political observers believe Mrs. Clinton is preparing for a presidential run in 2016 and when asked about that she replied, “I am doing what I want to do right now and I have no intention or any idea even of running again. I’m going to do the best I can at this job for the next two years.”

• Obama Elementary School to close. In a story brimming with irony and a sign of the times fiscally, the New Jersey elementary school named for President Obama will be closing as a neighborhood school this summer. The school formally known as Bangs Avenue School, was renamed for President Obama just a year ago. The state monitor of the Asbury Park School District cited declining  enrollment for the decision and the students who now attend classes there will be reassigned to the district’s other two elementary schools.  The Obama Elementary School will close July 1st.

In 1992 Common dropped his debut album titled “Can I Borrow A Dollar?” You may be asking the United States Senate that very question.

If you’re unemployed in America and haven’t already lost your jobless benefits, you could be next. For the third time, the Senate rejected a bill that would have extended unemployment benefits for workers.

Past extensions allowed people to collect income support for up to 99 weeks. Today, without extensions, the money stops when the worker finishes one of the four tiers of emergency benefits being funded by the federal government.

In Nevada where I live, we currently lead the nation in unemployment at 14%, with the city of Las Vegas at 14.2%. Many of my neighbors are losing hope, as an estimated 65,000 unemployed workers in the Silver State are directly impacted by the bill’s loss.

What can I say to the single mother who was laid off by Station Casinos 12 months ago and is trying to find a job to put food on the table, keep the lights on and a roof over her child’s head? Or what about the brotha who worked hard in construction to build a multi-million dollar real estate project on the Las Vegas strip but was laid off once the building was complete, only to find that there are no jobs left?

With no extensions, no more pennies to pinch, empty pockets are left without any solutions.

So, can I borrow a dollar?

On Tuesday, I visited the White House with the Generational Alliance, representing LYVEF at a Youth Roundtable on Jobs and the Economy. Representing the White House were Valarie Jarrett, Senior Adviser and Assistant to the President for Inter-governmental Affairs and Public Engagement; Brian Deese, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy; Christina “Tina” Chen, the president-elect’s director of public liaisons; and Harold and Kumar actor Kal Penn, who serves as the Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement.

Right now, the House and Senate are debating the Miller Jobs bill which will provide funding to prevent job loss in communities, create job training programs, and support public sector jobs. Christina Hollenback, Executive Director of the Generational Alliance gave stats about the Joblessness for 16-24 year old black males which has reached Great depression proportions of 34.5 percent in October, more than three times the rate for the General population. The Jobless rate for young black men and women is 30.5 percent. It was a powerful meeting discussing next steps for our organizations and communities that we represent.

Sitting at the table I could see the faces of Jasmine Owens, Sasha Carter, Larry Jenkins, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Harry Belafonte, Dr. King, Diane Nash, and Ceasar Chavez. I could hear their voices feel their presence in the room and so I spoke. I asked that we remember the young adults across the country who are dying, incarcerated, and forgotten. I asked that we remember our responsibility to provide tools and resources to our youth so that they become productive citizens. We must be the moral authority to the House and Senate who do not see our children dying in these streets as an Emergency.

Yesterday after our meeting at the White House, Kal Penn was robbed at gunpoint in D.C. Thankfully he is ok. The robber only took his cell phones, wallet, and not his life! Jobs, violence, black, white, rich, poor, hood, or the White House we are all 1! Don’t wait until something happens to you or a loved one before you start paying attention. It was truly an honor and a privilege to be invited representing my community and The League of young Voters Education Fund. We are the ones we have always been waiting for.

Now lets get back to WORK! Organize, Strategize, and hold our elected officials accountable!

BROOKLYN!

Need a job? How about one with a good wage, flexible schedule, that serves a good cause and includes paid training. Sounds pretty good, right? Too good to be true? Not so much. Turns out Brooklyn is desperate for census workers.

According to Brokelyn.com, a tipster informs them that there aren’t enough people in their database to fill all the jobs that are open.

“…the local office based on Fulton St, which covers the neighborhoods reaching from DUMBO to Clinton Hill & Prospect Heights—Red Hook to Sunset Park (and everything in between) is currently facing a shortage of applicants.”

So get at it, and do it soon. Most jobs are paying $18.75 per hour, part and full-time schedules, evenings and weekends available.

“All people have to do is call 718-360-5150 to schedule to take the test. Or, show up at the Big Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza between 1:30 and 1:45 this Sunday, with two forms of ID (Photo – Passport, License, State ID plus a Social Security Card, or Birth Certificate.) It’s that simple. Due to the shortage, just about any passing score will net a job.”

And while you’re out there doing the job, you’ll learn more about our beloved borough and its rich diversity. Again, from the source:

“I’ve been working for the Census on and off for a while, and it’s an interesting job. I highly recommend it, especially for people who are interested in Brooklyn and people.”

So what are you waiting for?

For more info about the census and why it’s the most important 10 minutes you can spend this month, check our new video.

And don’t forget to get that Numbers Don’t Lie Mixtape from DJ Willie Shakes. Take our census pledge and get your free download here!

See that, giving you free music and job hookups. Who loves you? Pledge today.

The unemployment rates you hear on the news are misleading. The overall unemployment rate is currently at a shocking high of 9.6%–but the ethnic breakdown of this figure is still more disturbing.

According to a study released July 15 by The Economic Policy Institute, minorities are significantly more likely to be jobless than their white counterparts. Part of this can be attributed to the recession, which has taken its toll on non-white communities the worst.

Yet even this cannot account for the shocking unemployment gap that exists. African-Americans typically suffer unemployment rates that are twice as high as their white peers, while Hispanics come in at 1.5% more than Whites. For example, currently in Alabama there is a 5.8% unemployment rate for whites while for African-Americans it jumps to 15.1%! In Louisiana, African-Americans were three times more likely to be jobless. And the same is true for Hispanics, who’s unemployment rates are suspected to be higher than reported (it is thought that many illegal aliens would have feared taking part in this study).

The bad news is that the unemployment gap between whites and minorities is increasing. The good news, however, is that there are tentative plans to improve the situation by imposing a small tax on stocks to create extra resources for job creation in these hard hit communities.

Find out more about the inequalities of unemployment rates, and how you can GET INVOLVED at http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE56E83L20090716.

It’s unthinkable that a kid is killed in a drive-by while at an Anti-Violence Rally. Yet that’s precisely what happened to 13 year old Tamrah Leonard in Trenton, New Jersey last Sunday! Abomination! How is society not outraged at this heinous act?

Sadly, it was not an isolated incident.The economic recession has had an adverse affect on homicide rates, which are skyrocketing. Homicide is now the leading cause of death among young African American youth, and the number two cause of death for all other youth aged 10-24. Dire straits mean that desperate youth are becoming increasingly likely to resort to violence. At the same time, decreased funding means that many after-school programs–which have been proven to get youth off the streets and lower crime rates–are at risk of being reduced or eradicated entirely.

Thankfully, outreach programs provide hope that change is on the horizon. Find out more about these matters of life-or-death, and WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP, at http://www.campusprogress.org/fieldreport/4284/killing-the-programs-we-need-most.

Aren’t you glad summer’s finally here? The recent reemergence of the sun makes me crave days at the beach and nights spent camping. But the recession means that for many (hell, most of us) a vacation simply isn’t that feasible this year.

We should consider ourselves lucky if that’s the worst recession can do. It’s hit a lot of people a lot harder. Every year, the number of families who are homeless skyrocket at the beginning of summer. This year has been particularly bad. People from 10 000 families will become homeless in New York alone this summer, an increase of more than 28% from last year. At last count, that number had already hit 9420—9420 moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and children on the street in one city. That’s A LOT of people—so many, that if you wanted to meet them all, one a day, it would take you more than 27 years.

But numbers are just statistics. They don’t tell the whole story. People do. Like 11 year old Arielle Figueras, who completed fifth grade one day and was in a shelter with her family the next. Or the Dixon family, who were evicted in April, have been separated in various homes since then, and are now reunited on the streets. Families who had found short-term solutions—like staying with relatives or asking the landlord to temporarily take pity on them—are booted out now that the weather is warmer and the kids are out of school and underfoot.

Across the nation, families are becoming homeless faster than any other demographic. PBS estimates that roughly a third of the homeless are families. Families who approach shelters are subjected to intense questioning, metal detectors, long waits, and overcrowding in addition to the stress of displacement and an uncertain future. Many of them are not allowed in the shelter during the day, left to wander the streets. 1 in 2 families are split up and put in different shelters. They are the lucky ones—one third of families are turned away from shelters entirely because of a lack of resources.

It’s a summer ritual that makes you understand why not everyone welcomes summer. . .

Think the lack of jobs and toned down Independence Day Celebrations are bad enough? Think again. Not only are we getting sparklers instead of fireworks this year, but the recession will probably increase our waistlines in the process.

Here’s how it works. The recession means most of us have less money, which means we are buying cheaper food: processed, packaged, and ready-to-eat, rather than healthier but more expensive options such as fresh veggies and fruits. Furthermore, many people are being forced to go out and work two jobs, or to work longer hours, just to make ends meet. So instead of having one parent at home or being able to work part-time and devote time to cooking, we are grabbing a cheap bagel oozing with transfats, carbs, and grease rather than making a healthy meal at home. Less money and more hours spent at work also mean less time and funds to work all those extra calories off at the gym.

But don’t you dare worry about all this—because if you do, your stress and depression levels will just increase your chances of becoming obese even more. And more obesity—the national rate is between 25% and 30%—leads to lower productivity and higher healthcare costs. In the year 2000, obesity cost us $117 billion in hospital bills and lost work days, and this number has risen since then. In the last year alone, another 5.5 million Americans joined the ranks of the obese.

It all makes sense in a tragic sort of way. The recession increases obesity which decreases our productivity which in turn leads to more stress about money, and more obesity—a seemingly inescapable cycle of depression and donuts, moonlighting and late night pizza slices.

Fear not, the solution is in our hands (or rather, in our fridge). Strapped for cash? Buy food in Chinatown or at a market instead of some expensive grocer. Can’t spare money for the gym? How about we hit the park instead?

Go on. We’ll be doing our wastelines, and the economy, a favor.

Are you one of the 46 million Americans who don’t have health insurance? Think you’re paying too much for too little if you do? Either way, you’ll probably welcome the news that a plan for health care reform is one step closer, thanks to an announcement Obama made Sunday that placed reform costs at 1 trillion dollars over ten years rather than the 1.8 trillion dollars that had been announced earlier. It’s a reform he labeled a “necessity rather than a luxury.”

Just about everyone agrees that it’s necessary to offer insurance to all Americans and to control healthcare costs from skyrocketing. Despite this, a bipartisan agreement is still far from a done deal. Much of the disagreement stems from a public/private divide and from concerns over the sheer amount of money needed to overhaul the system. Some feel that 1 trillion dollars is still too much money to be spending on health care—which it is. It’s a lot of money period. But in the grand scheme of things, it feels like something worth investing in. Put it into context: in 2009 alone the US will be spending 1 trillion dollars on defense-related issues, including the military and two wars. What’s another trillion dollars spread out over ten years, especially if it is an investment in the future happiness and well-being of Americans?

Besides, the system can’t get worse than it already is. The US pays more for health care than any other country—approximately $5711 per person each year. And you get significantly less bang for your buck than other countries: lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, and less coverage (15% of Americans don’t even have access to healthcare). It’s kinda like forking over the money for a gourmet meal and ending up with a corn dog.

At this rate, any reform seems better than no reform at all.

Countless men and women across the country will agree with this one: your first ride was your first love. You probably remember it as junky and cheap, prone to breaking down every morning, but you loved it just the same. Let’s face it: even though it probably guzzled gas like Gatorade and needed to be started just the right way or else it might have blown up, it was still yours. In the near future, 16 year olds will remember the first time they plugged their car in, rather than the first time they filled up the gas tank.

Let’s hear about some electric cars and green jobs, after the jump!

When I say electric car, bells and whistles go off. I automatically think of a car no bigger than my shower that is as fast as a skateboard being pulled by a golf cart. But some crazy changes have happened in the past 10 years to completely revamp the way Americans get around, making the institution of the automobile cheaper, more environmentally friendly and basically.. cooler.

In the picture above, you’ll see what’s called a Tesla S Model. Named for eccentric scientist Nikola Tesla, who revamped the study of electricity, it’s an American car, run completely by electricity that is both stylish, fast and.. well, out of my price range. It’s about as fast as a Porsche and costs about $50,000.

But some news just came out today: in what can be called huge news on the green jobs front, Nissan is opening up an electric car plant in Tennessee, that will reinvigorate the economy of the area by investing in green technologies. This could mean that an affordable, ecofriendly car could be in homes nationwide relatively soon… at least, that’s what President Obama is pushing for. Here’s a quote from a recent speech he delivered at an Electric Car Research Center in California:

It won’t come without cost, nor will it be easy. We’ve got 240 million cars already on the road. We’ve got to upgrade the world’s largest energy grid while it’s already in use. And other countries aren’t standing around and waiting for us; they are forging ahead with their own bold energy plans.

But we have faced tough challenges before. And at our best, we have never relied on hope and chance alone. Time and again, we have tapped those great American resources: industriousness and ingenuity.

President Obama has invested $2 billion into the research and development of new electric vehicles, so the era of the cool electric car may be closer than we ever imagined.

It’s understandable to be rejected from college because of your grades, your SATs, or even your extracurriculars – but is it valid to be rejected because you need financial aid?

According to this NY Times article, Reed College in Portland, Oregon is doing just that. As a result of the recession, revenue is dropping at the school, which can’t financially commit to as much financial aid. Long story short, they’ve started rejecting students because they lack full ability to pay.
Let’s go into crippling student loan debt after the jump!

All colleges seem to follow the model that they will admit students on a need-blind basis, which means that if you are a suitable candidate, they will admit you regardless of your financial situation. If you are in dire straights, they will help you find a way to pay your bill.

However, Reed seems like the pioneer of a disturbing trend – the small liberal arts school in Oregon rejected “100 needy students before sending out acceptances, and [substituted] those who could pay full” tuition. Check out how the president of the college defended his decision:

“Like everybody, we are trying to start by trying to cut the stuff that is least likely to inflict real pain on the program,” said Colin Diver, Reed’s president.

“I keep trying to say, we are in the education business,” Mr. Diver said, describing the pressure to keep up with wealthier colleges and expressing a frustration rarely voiced publicly by college presidents. “The whole principle behind higher education is, we know something that you don’t. Therefore, we shouldn’t cater to them.”

(99P Editor’s Note: For you grammaristas out there, this is an actual quote from an actual president of an actually well regarded college. That bolding is mine.)

One can only wonder how many more private colleges – and maybe even state-funded schools – will fall by the wayside as a result of the economy. I mean, things have to get worse before they get better, but this is freaking ridiculous.

Around my 18th birthday, I decided I was gonna get a credit card. The rates were extremely high, the credit line was miniscule, but I felt like a grown up!

Plus, they gave me a free tote bag!

Soon afterwards, I felt myself falling further into debt. I found that American Express was paying for lunch, my gas and my movie tickets way too often. A few years later, I’m finding that the debt I racked up so long ago is starting to even itself out. Many of my friends weren’t so lucky, and the credit card companies are making billions of dollars from people just like them. But relief is on the way.

Yesterday, the CARD Act of 2009 passed through the House and is gonna land on Prez O’s desk for signing. The CARD Act is extremely favorable to the consumer, and credit relief is going to be a huge help in the current economic climate.

Here’s what the CARD Act of 2009 is gonna do for you:

• Credit Card companies can’t raise interest rates on current balances, unless a cardholder hasn’t made the minimum payment for 60 days.
• No interest rate increases until a year after the account is opened.
• 45 days notice before rates are increased.
• Ever go over your limit and get charged extra for it? No more. Unless you elect to sign up to go ‘over the limit’, you won’t get charged a fee. It basically puts a hard cap on your limit, unless you want it to go up.
• If you’re under 21, you have to get a cosigner to sign up a card or financial proof that you can pay your bill. This means less predatory credit card signups, which is a good thing! Except, less tote bags for you. =(
• Itemized explanations of how long it would take for the balance to be paid, and how much would be paid in interest to those who make the minimum payment, which really puts your finances in perspective.

Many of us learn about our finances the hard way. Advocates say that personal financial planning should be taught in schools.

Are you in debt up to your eyeballs? Will you just be paying off that Gucci totebag when your hair turns gray? Are those concert tickets you just picked up not going to be paid off until the band breaks up, gets back together and has a reunion tour? We want to know! Say your piece in the comments!

When Isaac started his voter registration campaign, he quickly came to realize there were many more issues to tackle in Colorado. Like the struggle of single mothers to hold jobs and raise their kids. Or ex cons who can’t find a job, anywhere.

What is it that sometimes turns us against the needs of our neighbors? We must look past the superficial, past our varied histories or roads taken, and see that we need each other to get where we want to go: a healthier community, with equal rights, and neighbors who help you get what you need.

We’re serious about this. The Youth PROMISE Act is the biggest step we can take right now to keep the kids of America out of prison.

Please get involved; speak up for all the youth who’ve been given the right to remain silent.

Stand up for the leaders of tomorrow.

Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to start the discussion in your community.

Write your Congressional Representative to let them know you support the Youth PROMISE Act!

President Obama is tackling our nation’s economic troubles from the top, but we have to work from the ground up, empowering our communities and shouldering the burden of recovery together.

The Green Jobs movement is founded upon the notion that the health of our nation, the health of our economy, depends upon the health of our planet. Urban revitalization and industrial efficiency go hand in hand. As Taili Thompson says, the Green Jobs movement is a holistic approach that will give back as much as we put into it.

Obama needs to hear from us if our issues are going to reach the top of his platform.

Get involved, make your voice heard- check out the League of Young Voters Education Fund: www.youngvoter.org

The criminal justice system in America almost guarantees what Kevin Epps calls the “vicious cycle of recidivism” that keeps thousands of Americans from fulfilling any fraction of our social dream.

Rev. Yearwood’s experience working with T.I. is an incredible example of artists becoming activists and giving back to their communities. Working from the ground up, working with our neighbors to build healthier lives, pushing the system to reveal its prejudices and injustice…for activists like Yearwood and Epps, it is the work of a lifetime.

President Obama can not change the fate of our country on his own. It is up to free-thinking artists and activists everywhere to seize the opportunities we have to work with each other and realize our dreams.

The power of a real leader is to inspire the people to act. We must act together!