Teachers robbed of jobs by deficit cult

On Saturday night, the White House released a letter Obama sent to congressional leaders of both parties asking for nearly $50 billion in emergency aid to state and local governments to fend off "massive layoffs of teachers, police and firefighters" and to prevent a possible double-dip recession.

"We are at a critical juncture on our nation's path to economic recovery," the president warned. "It is essential that we continue to explore additional measures to spur job creation and build momentum toward recovery, even as we establish a path to long-term fiscal discipline. At this critical moment, we cannot afford to slide backwards just as our recovery is taking hold."

And, from the Economic Policy Institute: Mishel urged Congress to pass three key pieces of jobs legislation, including the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loophole Act of 2010, which would extend unemployment insurance and COBRA health care subsidies for the long-term unemployed; legislation from Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to preserve education jobs; and the Local Jobs for America Act, introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), which authorizes $100 billion over two years to create and save jobs in local communities around the country.