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Government

Jesse Jackson Jr. Says iPads Kill American Jobs (But He Still Uses One)

Apr. 17, 2011 12:57am Mike Opelka

Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. may have set a record for fastest flip-flop on a subject.

As reported here in March, Jackson was on House floor praising Apple for their iPods, even talking about changing the Constitution to get these marvels as well as laptops into the hands of kids in the ghetto. He claimed this would be a large part of ending our unemployment crisis.

A week later, Congressman Jackson again stood up and promoted his idea, holding an iPad and a Kindle as he made this statement;

“Let me be clear about a few things, these devices are revolutionizing our country — and they will fundamentally alter how we will educate our children.”

What a difference a month makes.

This past week, the Congressman has decided that Apple, Steve Jobs and his evil the iPad are not good for America, but rather a job-killing juggernaut that is hurting American businesses like Borders and Barnes & Noble, forcing these companies to close stores as people would rather just download the latest newspaper, magazine or book to their iPad instead of driving to the store.

(h/t RCP)

His exact words were;

‘A few short weeks ago I came to the House floor after having purchased an iPad and said that I happened to believe, Mr. Speaker, that at some point in time this new device, which is now probably responsible for eliminating thousands of American jobs. Now Borders is closing stores because, why do you need to go to Borders anymore? Why do you need to go to Barnes & Noble? Buy an iPad and download your newspaper, download your book, download your magazine.’

A few facts for the Congressman seems to have missed.

Borders has been in decline for years. Their recent Chapter 11 filing includes a plan to reorganize and make the company more efficient, so they can survive and keep as many as possible of their 17,500 employees.

Apple is a job creator in America. An SEC filing in late 2010 showed Apple’s full-time workforce had grown to 46,000 – and that was a staggering 35% increase in employees year-to-year.

And then there are jobs created by the ‘halo efffect’ of something like the iPad.

Thousands of entrepreneurial people have developed and continue to develop applications (Apps) for the iPad, in some cases creating companies where none existed before.

There are myriad options like cases, keyboards, speakers and stands for the iPad, all generated because the product was born.

And those products don’t make it to market by themselves. They have to be promoted, advertised, sold, packaged, shipped and delivered. That all requires people here in America, working.

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Comments (139)

Rickfromillinois
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 7:39am
This is just plain stupid and shows how stupid anyone who would vote for idiotic Luddite is. It’s called “technology” and “progress” you moron. Using this “logic” the automobile would have been made illegal because of all of the buggy makers, horse sellers, livery stables, and blacksmiths that were put out of business. If Borders and Barnes & Noble can’t compete with changing technologies then it is their fault and not the fault of the technology itself. Just what was JJ Jr’s point? Was he trying to get a government bailout for those companies or was he just letting his jaws flap in the wind. By the way, I have both a kindle and an Ipod, and I still go to Barnes&Noble for books that I like keeping on my shelf. Also, Barnes and Nobel has it’s version of the Kindle so it looks to me as though they have identified the problem and are taking steps to keep up with the changes in the world. They don’t appear to need the help of the government.

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- demint.disciple
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 9:24am
  amazing how many of you conservatives are stumping for ” PROGRESS ” .. Then you shouldn’t say no to the high speed rails or wind and solar power.. I mean after all its progress isn’t it ? Your point is to justget used to it,times are a changing.. I am in no way stumping for jessie jerkson but you guys have to rethink your positions on all of this because you’re starting to sound like a bunch of hypocrites.. and you know morons like dawg of crap just love things like this to throw in your face…
  
  Report this comment
- Snidely
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 11:39am
  DD, Not sure if you’re being sarcastic, or you meant what you said. I’m going to assume it’s a serious comment. This is a fundamental difference on what liberals (progressives, communists, socialists, et.al.) believe and what conservatives (capitalists) believe. Conservatives believe that government can’t force technology for the sake of forcing technology. There are legitimate functions of government (like the military) that can spin off technology into the private sector. But, only if the private sector sees a benefit to it and is willing to pay for it. Liberals see the need to control peoples lives, and force technology on people, even if the technology is more expensive than the benefit. The point is that someone (Steve Jobs or Amazon executives) was willing to take a risk with their company’s resources to produce new technology. Liberals want to take a risk with my money (and the U.S. credit line with China). What we end up with is another Amtrak where you can take a train and get there in three times the time, for about the same price as flying. I suspect high speed rail may get you there in twice the time, at twice the price of flying to the same destination.
  
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- Rickfromillinois
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 12:19pm
  There is a difference poop for brains. In one the free market is dictating the changes, in the other it is paid for by the tax payer because of a lack of demand for the changes. I know that the concept is almost difficult for some people to understand but even though it may give you a headache, try.
  
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Barry Soetoro
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 7:12am
How in the world did a guy like this get elected to congress.

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LadyIzShy
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 6:48am
seems to me the left would be HAPPY peopel use an Ipad to read books. it saves trees.. DUH

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Athinker
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 6:40am
Only one reason for this change of mind….Apple is not unionized!

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KINGRUDDY
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 6:24am
If he was aroung during the invention of the “CAR”, he would have been stumping for the Horse and Buggy. Get a clue, your liberal meandering has caused all the jobs to go away. How ignorant are these fools? We have been in a job crisis for over 2 years and now he is venting about China taking our jobs. How do the same “class clowns” keep on getting elected? We all have to look in the mirror.

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PHPotatoe
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 4:30am
this guy may be the dumbest politician in Chicago. hes career is gonna end in ruins someday.

Many Chicago guys go from office to jail.

true story

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- BOMUSTGO
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 5:01am
  Thats the only way some get a second term! One term in office and one term in Jail!
  
  Report this comment
BOONDOCK SAINT
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 4:07am
This explains the quick poll on CNN’s homepage. Which is – Which do you prefer?

E-books
Paperbacks

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- BOMUSTGO
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 4:59am
  He would have complained that the “cotton gin” reduced slave labor.
  
  Report this comment
- kevindean3
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 11:17am
  Actually, the cotton gin made slavery more profitable and greatly increased the numbers of slaves need to harvest the cotton. Because one slave could now remove more seeds from the cottton, they could needed more cotton and more slaves.
  
  Report this comment
ozzie
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 3:52am
Sounds like a *paid* sales pitch to me. Wonder if anyone will look into who is writing checks to JJJ-ackass

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justice
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 3:46am
Give your buddy bloggo a call. Maybe your senate seat will be up for grabs.

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Ross
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 3:41am
TRENDS CHANGE! JOBS TRANSFER! JOBS DIE DUE TO NEW TECH. OTHER JOBS ARE BORN. That’s economics… easy.

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- demint.disciple
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 9:17am
  Yes thats PROGRESS…
  
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Bill me later
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 3:07am
What becomes of insurance companies when Obama’s health care goes full swing? Puts people out of work, but the government can hire them.

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- spirited
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 6:30pm
  “we all have to make sacrifices” -BHO
  
  Report this comment
BoilitDown
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:38am
Jackson’s handlers at the DNC are going to catch hell since he’s not adhereing to the – “bash Ryan’s budget” – “point out how radical Republicans are” – “bash the Tea Parties” naratives that seem to be required this week. How did they let Jackson go astray? I mean Jackson was, after all, one of the members of the Socialist Party of America in Oct. of 2009 and I assume that he still is.

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teahugger
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:24am
Yep, I-pads cause book sellers jobs to be lost just like cars caused buggy makers jobs to be lost. Its gonna happen. Get over it! Adjust to a changing world or get left behind.

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- demint.disciple
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 9:15am
  Thats called progressivism… I think you want to rethink your positions on a few things…
  
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- Snidely
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 11:15am
  I think we need to outlaw i-pods, CDs, and cassette tapes.Those poor 8-track tape makers have been unemployed since the Carter administration. They surely wouldn’t have been able to find another job. I can’t believe that anyone would be able to learn another skill when new technology makes their job obsolete.
  
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anutter
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:24am
I was just thinking. If the states are broke, doesn’t that mean the federal government is broke too?

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anutter
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:19am
Just when you think that JJ has aged enough to nearly retire, Along comes junior. Here’s hoping for another 50 years of idiocy.

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Diane TX
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:19am
Didn’t Junior try to buy Obama’s old US Senate Seat? Yep, I think that’s true.

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- tarbush
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:20pm
  I suspect that bribes or blackmail are at the center of this stream of communications from JR. Maybe he tried to get Apple to provide him with free ipads for his staff and they refused or something.
  
  Report this comment
mrhate
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:16am
Is he not the same clown that said “All black children by right should be given an I-Pad and a laptop” in Illinois???

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- mamawalker
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:42am
  lol…that’s right he did just a few weeks ago!
  
  Report this comment
- MidWestMom
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 8:17am
  Yep. I believe he was counting on all that “Obama Money” to pay for them too.
  
  Report this comment
pembpix
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:00am
Wtf?

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Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:59am
Illinois HAS to be the most corrupt state in the country.
I cannot believe that there are a majority of voters there that would out ANY ONE of these jokers into positions of leadership.

Obama
Jesse Jackson Jr
Valerie Jarrett
Rahn Emanuel
Dick Durbin
Rod Blagojevich

I’ll bet Abraham Lincoln is turning in his grave today.

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- mamawalker
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:47am
  Yes and the Obama 2012 machine is getting ready to use the same corrupt tactics to get him re-elected and bragging about raising 1 billion dollars.
  
  Report this comment
- Rickfromillinois
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 12:13pm
  They probably have already sold his body to a collector. The bottom line is that it is not the whole state but primarily Chicago. It has gotten to the point that it is now a given that any election in Illinois is going to be corrupt because of Chicago. In the last election for governor the winner won in 3 counties out of a total of 103 counties. One of the counties was Cook (Chicago), one was East St. Louis, and the last was the only county in Illinois that actually fielded a regiment to fight on the Confederate side during the Civil War.
  I remain a resident of Illinois because that is where my adult children live. It they ever leave the state then I am out of here.
  
  Report this comment
- spirited
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 6:28pm
  …and Andrew is kicking himself in the
  
  >donkey is the Democratic Party logo
  
  Report this comment
Marine Recon Dad
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:33am
Just another idiot at the wheel. Any more of these and we are SURE to drive off the cliff…..

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Sam Brown
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:29am
Still looks angry he couldn’t buy Obamas senate seat.

Sammy

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- spirited
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 6:26pm
  Sure would like to hear all of the Blagojevich wire tap tapes!
  
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joseph Fawcett
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:09am
I heard Mr. Jackson Jr’s speach he was speaking against a balanced Budget Amendment I believe to the Consitution. It was unbelieveable what he was saying. Remember now who brought up this young man, who taught him his values, and world view. That is right the high and mighty Jessie Jackson, the one and only. He also comes from Chicago, and we have all seen what Chicago Politics is like because it is going on in Washington DC. I hate to say I told you so, but I tried to warn everyone I could that Chicago corruption and contempt for the people was being exported to Washington in Obama. I said that you would be sorry and a lot are that voted for Obama.

http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist

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GRIZDOG
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:05am
Jesse Jackson Jr.

Enough said.

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- CatB
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:39am
  “change the Constitution”????? WTH .. does that have to do with anything? What is in the Chicago water?
  
  Report this comment
- Robert-CA
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:04am
  J J jr “Let me be clear about a few things”
  Well first let ME be clear about you J J jr , you should be in jail for bribery .
  
  Report this comment
- Professional Infidel
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 8:33am
  BOMUSTGO, I agree with you!!
  
  Report this comment
- MEESHEL
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 9:22am
  I can’t believe how ignorant — and illogical — he is; he epitomizes the left.
  
  Report this comment
sleazyhippo
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:05am
No one cares about stupid IPADs, but the Jesse Jackson name causes blood to shoot from some people’s eyes. So, a Headline!

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- ozchambers
  Posted on April 18, 2011 at 11:44am
  No one cares about IPads?
  
  Report this comment
Chett
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:03am
Liberals have brain damage, its the only possible explanation.

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- joseph Fawcett
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:11am
  He is truely his father’s son. Also a product of the Chicago Dems strong hold.
  
  http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
  
  Report this comment
- cheezwhiz
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:21am
  Is Jr equally worried about the jobs :D his dad gets ?
  No wonder Sr named his men :
  ” Rainbow PUSH”
  
  Report this comment
- CatB
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:24am
  LOL .. he thinks kids in the “ghetto” don’t have them? How cute …. so clueless!
  
  Report this comment
- A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:29am
  “Now Borders is closing stores because, why do you need to go to Borders anymore? Why do you need to go to Barnes & Noble? Buy an iPad and download your newspaper, download your book, download your magazine.”
  
  Actually, Barnes & Noble took jobs from scribes. Just think of how many jobs we could create by eliminating the printing press!
  
  Report this comment
- joe conservative
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:42am
  The apple rarely falls far from the tree. This guy is just as nutty as his father.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIMRNUGXxII
  
  Report this comment
- mrsmileyface
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:42am
  Just waiting for the day that some male page comes out and accuses Jackson Jr. of trying to suck his….. Like father like son I always say.
  
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- Showtime
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:45am
  He didn’t say a thing about the teachers who would be out of work because of the government’s teaching by loading the iPods with propaganda and load the Kindles to brainwa –oh, wait — make that “teach” — our children and grandchildren.
  
  Report this comment
- Showtime
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:51am
  @A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:29am
  “Now Borders is closing stores because, why do you need to go to Borders anymore? Why do you need to go to Barnes & Noble? Buy an iPad and download your newspaper, download your book, download your magazine.”
  
  Actually, Barnes & Noble took jobs from scribes. Just think of how many jobs we could create by eliminating the printing press!
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  Why is he worried about closing Borders (is that a book store? I’ve never seen one)? Good grief! The Obama regime has cost the economy so many jobs that entire chains of stores have been closed in malls, and the malls themselves are going bankrupt.
  
  “Just think of how many jobs we could create by eliminating the printing press!”
  
  Just think of what a green move that would be, too!
  
  Okay, okay, CATB ~ NOW I’m going to bed!
  
  Wouldn’t it be grand if just ONE DAY only ONE PROGRESSIVE could get it RIGHT?
  
  Report this comment
- riseandshine
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:21am
  not brain damage…just no principles
  
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- spikebu
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 3:04am
  Did anybody else notice what a colossal, incomplete thought this is? He doesn’t actually produce a full thought! Are these people incapable of follow through? Well, I guess yeah. They can’t even complete their own freaking thoughts!
  
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- Ellie
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 3:13am
  What he has failed to account for is the large number of jobs for application developers and other IT folks, in hundreds of companies around the country, created to develop applications for the IPad/IPhone. Jobs with 6 figure salaries and often working from anywhere with an internet connection these were some of the last regular visitors to the Borders and B/N stores.
  
  Report this comment
- Polwatcher
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 5:25am
  The biggest job killer in the U.S.A. is him and his cohorts in Congress.
  
  Report this comment
- KenInIL
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 7:20am
  Jesse, What about the buggy whip manufacturers and local livery stables?? Should we get rid of the automobile so we won’t hurt the horse drawn carriage industry?? You can probably get special privileges as a Congressman to travel to your district and back by 1 horse power. Just think of all the labor is needed in countries whose general population don’t have motor vehicles
  
  If you want to do something about this maybe you ought to be listening to Trump on China.
  
  Report this comment
- WestOfThePecos
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 8:07am
  It’s part of ‘green’ technology. The left doesn’t realize ‘green’ is a job eliminator. How many socialist does it talk to replace a perfectly good light bulb?
  
  Report this comment
- GETLIFE
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 8:23am
  This before or after Daddy made it back into the news? Maybe he’s just trying to help the Rev. by appearing even more corrupted.
  
  Report this comment
- demint.disciple
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 8:37am
  Ipad destroys jobs.. ummm, did anyone see my ipad ? What a joke.. another moron following in his fathers footsteps.. just too bad he’s in congress and gets to be heard.. So mr *******, what do you want to do get rid of the Ipad or Apple ? lets go big boy I need an answer..
  
  Report this comment
- Liberalismsamentaldisorder
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 9:36am
  Liberal=hypocrite
  
  Report this comment
- Taquoshi
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 10:24am
  What about the people who use the iPad for work, like I do? Or the people who write the apps?
  
  I suspect the real job killers in this scenario is the union labor and tax laws that made out of US manufacturing more attractive.
  
  Report this comment
- Cemoto78
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 11:24am
  The acorn doesn’t drop too far from the tree does it? Once again another idiotic DEM wants the government to give these out to the welfare crowd. I suppose this would be so they can apply for their food stamps, rent assistance, and all those other entitlement programs without leaving the house. And they keep voting this clown into office. Imagine the demonstrations and/ or riots when a new version comes out or the battery goes dead and they aren’t given replacements immediately. It’s stupid things like this that is dooming America. But those of you who actually work and pay taxes won’t even be considered for a program like this cause YOU have to pay for it.
  
  Report this comment
- avenger
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 11:39am
  government kills job with dopes like him legislating nonsense…
  
  Report this comment
- Brooke Lorren
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 11:58am
  Not to mention entrepreneurs that design web pages and internet content that will reach more viewers because people have more ability to see their work on iPads.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Bin Lying
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 12:00pm
  Like Daddy…hypocrisy is in the DNA
  
  Report this comment
- GLENNS_FUTURE_BABY_MOMMA
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 2:10pm
  I tell you what, Junior … You just try to come take my iPad. I will put a cap in your ass. (Can I say ass?)
  
  Report this comment
- sooner12
  Posted on April 17, 2011 at 7:42pm
  Eloquently stated by someone who’s never worked for a living.
  
  Report this comment
- Dick Blitskreig
  Posted on April 18, 2011 at 12:16am
  lol
  
  Report this comment
- heyjms
  Posted on April 18, 2011 at 10:55am
  Wait…wait wait…… If we download the electronic version of a book or news article… wouldn’t that be “green”? Doesn’t being “green” trump everything else?
  
  Report this comment

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