For the first time that I know of, a black organization has specifically called for creating jobs for Americans.

On December 9, 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus wrote a letter to Obama. The first heading is Direct Job Creation and Training. The first sentence under that heading calls for redirecting surplus T.A.R.P. funds "to create jobs for American citizens."

Using T.A.R.P. funds in this way may not be legal, because any surplus funds are, I think, supposed to be used to reduce the federal deficit. Nevertheless it's significant that black congresspeople seem to have abandoned the "rainbow coalition" fantasy.

The CBC wants job creation and training funds to be directed at the poorest Americans. They call for directing funds to any census block where 20% of residents are at or below the federally defined poverty line. As the recession continues, more Americans of all colors will qualifiy.

People who care about unemployed and underemployed Americans should contact their own representatives, to support the CBC on this one.