Obama seeks 'common purpose' in tough economic times
Friday, 26 December 2008, 16:16 IST   |    2 Comments
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Washington: In a radio address released the day before Christmas, U.S. president-elect Barack Obama has urged Americans to band together as the country battles a year-long economic recession that has caused many to cut down on holiday spending. "As we count the higher blessings of faith and family, we know that millions of Americans do not have a job. Many more are struggling to pay the bills or stay in their homes," Obama said. "From students to seniors, the future seems uncertain." Retailers are bracing for one of their worst holiday shopping seasons in decades. Chicago-based research firm ShopperTrak RCT Corp. Wednesday said retail store traffic in the weekend before Christmas plummeted 24 percent compared to the same weekend in 2007. Obama urged the country to unite for a "common purpose", reaffirming his campaign promise to tap into "new ideas" in the wider community to lead the country out of the economic crisis. "Now, more than ever, we must rededicate ourselves to the notion that we share a common destiny as Americans," said Obama, who has promised to revive the economy with a massive fiscal stimulus package that could total as much as $850 billion. Obama is spending the holiday season in Hawaii with his family ahead of his inauguration Jan 20.
Source: IANS
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