Billboards usually serve the purpose of informing the public of a particular message, whether it is an advertisement for a business or political campaign. Billboards do not usually address the president of the United States directly. That is what one controversial billboard in Buffalo, New York has recently done, drawing attention from the entire nation.
The billboard in question reads, “Dear Mr. President, I Need a Freakin’ Job. Period.” and includes a photo of four college students. According to a CBS news release, the sign is part of the “I Need a Freakin’ Job Movement,” which was started by businessman Jeff Baker, who lost his own small business 15 months ago. INAFJ’s website, www.inafj.org, states that the purpose of the movement is to give voice to the millions of people affected by the high unemployment numbers in America. Their mission statement says, “As families suffer, our political leadership seems content with their dysfunctional posturing. Together we can set the record straight, or at least just make fun of it.”
Regardless of various opinions on the appropriateness of the sign, there is a fundamental message conveyed which transcends party lines: America needs jobs. Our nation was built on the muscle of manufacturing; we were once an industrial giant of the world, where jobs were available to those who wanted to work. And yet, as the nation comfortably enjoyed that success, we became lazy and less willing to work long hours in difficult positions. The bottom line? Many manufacturing jobs are leaving. Countries around the world are increasing their industrialism and exporting to us most, if not all, of the goods we consume daily. This is definite cause for concern.
President Obama continues to state that those in the government are working diligently to combat the unemployment rate, with an estimated 290,000 jobs added to the work force in April, as maintained by the Labor Department. However, of those “added jobs,” no one is really sure what they are, and whether they are the kinds of jobs necessary for stability. Even so, those without work reached a rate of 9.9 percent in the same month, according to the Washington Post, certainly breaking Obama’s promise that the unemployment rate would not exceed 8 percent.
Despite the current heavy divide between the Democrat and Republican parties, the message about jobs rings loudly for both. Americans are not looking for rhetoric or political dispute, they just want employment. The future of the economy depends on a working America, and the people want their voices heard. We must return to a country where our focus is once again on industry, and begin to build not only the economy, but morale. The only way to do that is by putting people back to work.
The billboard in New York clearly demonstrates the feelings of many Americans. While its message is simple and direct, it has a profound effect. It addresses Washington and those in power straightforwardly, asking them to remember their focus. While other tasks are important and deserving of attention, the fact remains that nothing else matters unless the American people are working. Therefore, jobs need to be the number one priority.
Controversial though it may be, the “I Need a Freakin’ Job” billboard serves its purpose. It represents a feeling that Americans’ needs and wishes are being disregarded by their leaders and it places responsibility on those representatives to put aside any political agenda and serve the people. Ultimately, this is what our nation is all about. The New York billboard says one thing: Dear Mr. President, when the American people speak, listen. Period.