We Do Better When the Middle Class Does Better

In this week's address, the President highlighted that six years after the Great Recession, thanks to the hard work of the American people and the President's policies, our economy has come back further and faster than any other nation on Earth. With 10.3 million private-sector jobs added over 55 straight months, America's businesses have extended the longest streak of private-sector job gains on record.

But even with this progress, too many Americans have yet to feel the benefits. The President reiterated the vision he set out earlier this week for steps that can lay a new foundation for stronger growth, rising wages, and expanded economic opportunity for middle-class families.

Click here to watch this week's Weekly Address.

A New Foundation for a 21st Century Economy

President Obama spoke to students at Northwestern University on Thursday about what has always fueled America’s leadership: our economic greatness. In his speech, he highlighted key cornerstones that will pave a new foundation for a 21st century economy.

After the President's remarks, senior administration officials joined Americans in a series of chats to discuss topics covered in the speech. Find out more here -- and also check out this email from Gary Pollard, a network technician from Washington, D.C., who shared his perspective on what the growing economy means to him.

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10.3 Million Jobs

Yesterday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report that shows just how far our economy has come since the Great Recession.

Adding 236,000 jobs in September, America's businesses have now seen positive job growth for 55 straight months -- the longest streak of private-sector job gains on record. And the overall unemployment rate fell to 5.9 percent -- the lowest it’s been since July 2008.

The data underscores that six years after the Great Recession -- thanks to the hard work of the American people and in part to the policies the President has pursued -- our economy has bounced back more strongly than most others around the world.

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Combating the Ebola Epidemic

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also announced the confirmation of the first Ebola case in the United States. Here's what you need to know:

• Ebola virus is the cause of a viral hemorrhagic fever disease.
• Ebola symptoms include: fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite, and abnormal bleeding.
• Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.
• Ebola cannot be transmitted through the air, food, or water.

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