Jobs Summit: World City responds to President Obama’s Call to Action and shows how to create thousands of jobs without spending taxpayer dollars or deepening the national debt.

In an unprecedented email and mail campaign relating to the President’s November 12, 2009 announcement of the planned December 3, 2009 Jobs Summit, World City America Inc. sent an email to the Chief of Staff of every Member of Congress, and a letter to the President, his Chief of Staff, and dozens of key White House advisors responding to the President’s November 12, 2009 remarks which included the follow excerpts:

“...Millions of Americans...are desperately searching for jobs. This is one of the great challenges that remains in our economy – a challenge that my Administration is absolutely determined to meet.
     We all know that there are limits to what the government can and should do, even during such difficult time. But we have an obligation to consider every additional responsible step that we can to encourage and accelerate job creation in this country. And that is why in December we’ll be holding a forum at the White House on jobs and economic growth...
     It’s important that we don’t make any ill-considered decisions, even with the best intentions, particularly at a time when our resources are so limited, but it’s just as important that we are open to any demonstrably good idea to supplement the steps we have already taken to put America back to work.” (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_11/020940.php)
    
World City’s message was straightforward, inviting the White House and Members of Congress to give the company the opportunity to demonstrate that the American Flagship project is a “demonstrably good idea,” in which the private sector has invested decades and over $60 million. It is a project that could readily contribute to America’s economic recovery and create thousands of self-sustaining, good paying, long-terms jobs without spending taxpayer dollars or deepening the national debt.

In her message to Congress and the White House, World City President Stephanie Gallagher stated categorically that:

“There simply is no better, lower risk, ready-to-go, privately developed, job-creating national project equal to the scale and potential economic impact of the American Flagship project.”

World City America Inc. looks forward to outlining for the President and the Congress the simple steps needed to seize this major national job-creating opportunity without spending taxpayer dollars or deepening the national debt.

The foreign-flag cruise industry, while an economic boon to some ports and suppliers, is nonetheless among the top ten contributors to the nation’s record high and growing trade deficit, alongside countries such as Japan, China, Mexico and Germany. Annual cruise industry revenues are larger than those of the nation’s entire motion picture box office and the gate of America’s four largest professional sports, combined. As such, the cruise industry represents a solid business opportunity for the American economy which in no way undermines the recognized benefits to America of the existing foreign-flag cruise industry.

"What I'm interested in is taking action right now to help businesses create jobs right now, in the near term," the President said at the opening session of the White House jobs summit. The President added that he was looking for "specific recommendations" that can be implemented to spur job growth “as quickly as possible.”

Critics have questioned whether the Jobs Summit was just a PR stunt. Responding to the criticism, White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett told "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts:

"I would say to those critics, we welcome your ideas…We embrace all good ideas and I think critics should stop saying what won't work and come forward with what will work."

Ms. Jarrett was among the White House Advisors to receive World City’s communication. The White House Jobs Summit was kicked off by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, who called the present unemployment rate "a stark reminder of how much we have to do." She said the administration "will not rest" until it had been successful at job creation.

If the Administration and Congress follow through, there is every reason to be optimistic about a long-overdue job-creating, tax revenue-generating, economic growth-promoting American Flag cruise ship industry.