D'Emilio Agrees With Obama: Keep Jobs In U.S.

Steve D'Emilio, 1st Ward commissioner, expressed that while he agreed with some parts of President Barack Obama’s , he hoped it was not another campaign speech, especially when it comes to jobs.

“The President and Congress, Democrats and Republicans, need to understand that Americans are hurting. The President painted a rosy picture, I for one do not share that view. Jobs are scarce and many people cannot find work,” D'Emilio wrote in an email on Wednesday, where he returned the Haverford-Havertown Patch’s late night request for comment on Tuesday evening on the president’s speech.

But the vice president of the Haverford Township Board of Commissioners stated that President Obama was right when he said that companies should not be rewarded when they send jobs overseas, such as Sunoco.

“It is my understanding that (Sunoco) are not refining crude oil in the United States and that gas from foreign countries, like India, is being shipped to the United States,” he expressed his displeasure. “If this is true, jobs are gone and the environment is in danger. After all, I do not think the EPA or the DEP can dictate how another country deals with pollution.  These countries are now free to pollute the environment with no union or government interference.”

Another topic that President Obama spoke about and that D’Emilio touched on was illegal immigration. As Americans are trying to find work during a poor economy, the U.S. should do more to stop illegal immigration, D’Emilio wrote, adding that companies that pay illegal immigrants should face stiff retribution from the government.

But D’Emilio put much of the blame for the country’s troubles on both Republicans and Democrats and stated that Americans who are struggling with a tough economy are tired of the “bickering” between Congress and the president. Americans want to see more action from their elected leaders, he continued.

“Many Americans see the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.  Wall Street and the big banks do need more aggressive overseeing by the government for all the fraud that has and continues to occur,” D’Emilio wrote. “The President is correct when he stated that we can change but we must work together.  That starts at the top and the President needs to do more to bring everyone together.  I’m ready to assist him and I hope that all politicians no matter their party affiliation are ready to do so as well.”