Page 10 jfdortlaiib (Dbserurr August 3. 2011 Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views o f the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com. New Prices Effective May 1,2010 Martin Cleaning Service & & HO r © // aiääSSBl SttPHewe. corp . Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services H&R MO C orporate I MALFEASANCE Minimum Service CHG. $45.00 MO C orporate maifsa S a M ce A small distance/travel charge may be applied C A R PE T CLEAN IN G 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area (Hallway Extra) Stairs (12-16 sta irs - With O th e r Services): $25.00 Area/Oriental Rugs. $25.00 Minimum Area/Oriental Rugs (Wool): $40.00Minimum Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 each area (Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying) U PH O LSTE R Y C L E A N IN G Sofa: $69.00 Loveseat: $49.00 Sectional: $ 109 - $ 139 Chair or Recliner $25 - $49 Throw Pillows ( With th & > Other Services): $5.00 % A D D ITIO N A L SE R V IC E S • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services SEE CURRENT FLYER FOR ADDITIONAL PRICES & SERVICES Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949 Refocus National Debate on Jobs Giving voice to the 14 million who are jobless bv M arc H. M oriai . The National Urban League concluded the first conference of its second century of ser vice and econom ic em pow erm ent this past Saturday in Bos ton. By all accounts, this was one of the most successful gatherings in the organization’s 101- year history. Thousands of citizens from across the country came to the birth place of America to rally support for jobs and to keep the American Dream alive. This year’s conference which was themed, “Jobs Rebuild America,” gave voice to the concerns of 14 million unemployed Americans, in cluding urban communities of color that have suffered the most during the great recession. The National Urban League has been a lifeline of support during this crisis, providing job training, fore closure prevention, education and health services to a record 2.6 mil lion Americans in 2010. But even with that assistance, our communi ties continue to fall further behind. In a new National Urban League report released during the confer ence, “At Risk: The State of the Black Middle Class,” we found that the great reces sion has begun to dismantle the crown jewel achieve ment of racial advancement in America - a strong black middle class. O ur an aly sis c learly anemic recovery that has followed since June 2009. This means that the size of the black middle class is shrinking, the fruits that come from being in the black middle class are dwindling, and the ladders of opportunity for reaching the black middle class are disappearing. Our conference was also held in the midst of the debt ceiling debate which for weeks has held the Ameri can economy hostage to demands for draconian budget cuts that on unemployment. In the spirit of the “Shot Heard Round the W orld” that rang out from Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19,1775 and began the Revo lutionary War, we fired an opening volley in the W ar on Unemploy ment by urging everyone at our conference and everyone in America to sign an open letter to the Presi dent and Congressional leaders. Our letter urges our political lead ers to refocus the national debate from deficit reduction to putting America back to work. It calls for a national jobs summit and a national jobs plan based in part on the Na tional Urban League’s 12-point jobs plan. It is my hope that public pressure will achieve what political leadership has thus far struggled to deliver - a fair, balanced and effective solution to the issue of job creation and bal looning budget deficits. Our thanks to Boston Mayor, Thomas Menino; M assachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick; and Urban shows that whether one looks at would spare wealthier Americans League o f Eastern Massachusetts education, income or any other from tax increases and further im Chief Executive Officer Darnell Wil meaningful measure, almost all the peril black America along with middle liams for making this year’s confer economic gains that blacks have and working class families. ence such a success. made in the last 30 years have been That is why on the first day of the Marc H. Moriai is president and lost in the Great Recession that conference we asked the American chief executive officer o f the Na started in December 2007 and in the people to formally enlist in the war tional Urban League. This means that the size o f the black middle class is shrinking, the fruits that come from being in the black middle class are dwindling, and the ladders o f opportunity fo r reaching the black middle class are disappearing.