President Barack Obama has called on Congress to pass his American Jobs Act, which aims to put millions of people back to work and help stabilize the economy. In North Carolina this kind of boost couldn't come at a better time. Last month our unemployment rate jumped from 10.1 to 10.4 percent - marking the highest level since May 2010, according to the state Employment Security Commission. The numbers are even higher in rural North Carolina.
These statistics reinforce the need for a comprehensive plan that will help improve our state and national economies by investing in both short-term and long-term goals. As Congress debates Obama's proposal, the focus should be on putting Americans back to work to drive our recovery, as well as rebuilding our nation and reasserting the United States as a leader of the global economy.
We can start to pursue these goals in rural America. There is tremendous opportunity in this approach, but scarce access and resources represent obstacles to overcome.
Obama's plan includes $50 billion for repairing highways, airports and urban transit systems. It includes funding for public school modernization, ensuring that public schools offer their students advanced technologies and facilities now and in the future. The plan also includes a provision permitting voluntary incentive auctions for spectrum airwaves.
While all of this is encouraging, it's a mere drop in the bucket for rural communities that have yet to receive the administration's blessing. While the jobs bill would undoubtedly create jobs and boost our economy, it's only a piece of the puzzle; Congress and the administration must embrace both public and private investment to keep the momentum going. Therefore, we must encourage plans and policies that have this objective as their goal.
The proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile will help achieve this goal. Despite the criticism from those who oppose this merger, it is time to focus on the facts of what this merger really will do and what it means to our economy.
For example, AT&T recently announced that if the merger is approved, the company would repatriate, or bring back to the U.S., 5,000 jobs. As many as 96,000 new jobs are expected to be created by this merger.
Whether you live in urban America or in rural North Carolina, access to broadband Internet is a critical tool for education, work and basic communications. But too many people, especially in rural communities do not have access. If approved, the AT&T -T-Mobile merger would increase nationwide access to broadband Internet, reaching more than 97 percent of the population. This merger does not stifle competition, as the Department of Justice claims - in our digital age, the Internet offers unparalleled opportunities.
With broadband, small business owners can grow and expand their businesses by offering their services to a wider range of customers. They can increase productivity by achieving up-to-date prices on goods and commodities, and communicate with customers in real time to improve overall customer satisfaction.
Students in rural communities and small towns can access better education through distance learning, enabling them to take online college preparatory classes or advanced classes to advance skills in certain fields. Rural residents can improve health care by increasing access to news and information. Individuals will be able to connect with specialists without driving long distances.
But in order for all Americans to achieve these benefits, the merger must be approved. Congress must act swiftly.
First, it should pass a bold jobs package. Second, if the administration, regulators and Congress support the AT&T and T-Mobile merger, this will be one solution to job creation and getting closer to the president's goal of 100 percent broadband access for all Americans.
Rural America has the potential to help drive our economy to recovery. Congress and the administration must do their part by supporting this merger and empowering rural America to become a vehicle for economic growth.
Eva M. Clayton represented an Eastern North Carolina district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1992 to 2003. From 2003 to 2006 she was assistant director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. She is currently an ambassador/adviser to the Internet Innovation Alliance, which supports the AT&T and T-Mobile merger.
