Bono Mack Urges Obama To Address Unemployment In State of the Union

Rep. Mary Bono Mack, whose district includes Palm Desert, urged President Barack Obama today to do more with his State of the Union address than kick off his 2012 campaign.

"For too long now, we have heard brilliant words from this administration, followed by little action or a quick reversal of policy," Bono Mack wrote in a letter sent to the President in advance of Tuesday's State of the Union address.

She urged the President to work with Republicans and Democrats to create jobs and reduce unemployment by approving the and help create jobs in manufracturing to make "Made in America" matter again.

"Our nation is confronting many difficult problems. After a record 35 months of unemployment at 8.5 percent or above – the longest such stretch since the Great Depression – it’s time for this administration to get serious about creating new jobs," she wrote.

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Obama is expected to talk about economic fairness for the middle class, manufacturing, education, clean energy and American values.

The White House plans to answer questions from the public submitted on social media following the State of the Union at 6 p.m. PST.

The President also plans to answer questions on YouTube, according to the White House. To participate:

• Starting today through Jan. 28, visit the White House YouTube channel to submit your questions and vote on your favorites. 
• Tomorrow, watch the State of the Union live at 9:00 p.m. EST on YouTube.com/whitehouse or on WhiteHouse.gov/sotu.