Rebuilding the Middle Class

Unemployment is down but creating jobs must be a priority, writes Heather Boushey.

Data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics provide some immediate insight into President Obama’s argument in his State of the Union speech that the key to creating jobs and a strong middle class is to boost U.S. competitiveness and innovation.

Central to that vision is increasing investment in the U.S. and boosting exports, both of which should spur job creation, particularly in manufacturing. The new data show the wisdom of this approach, though indications are that we have a long ways to go until the unemployment rate returns to normal.

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