"What I want Obama to say about jobs is that he's going to get the government to take its hands out of the economy. Creating jobs depends on lower regulation, lower tax burdens, no more loopholes, and a more certain political and economic environment to spur growth."
-- James Arruda, 26, lives in DeKalb County and is a graduate student
"I'd like to hear an assurance that Obama is committed to getting his plans through. No more Great Compromiser or Mr. Nice Guy. Even if the Republicans refuse to pass legislation, as long as he's unbending the public can see that he at least tried to make real change for them."
-- Shawn C. Adolphus, Jr., 27, of Atlanta, works as a career transition specialist. He was unemployed for 13 months, ending in July 2010
"I want to hear that he now understands that imposing higher taxes on anyone, especially businesses and job creators, is detrimental to job creation. That he is now going to support across-the-board tax relief starting with the elimination of the capital gains and estate tax."
-- Steven Hill, 47, lives in Carrollton and works in construction business development
"I just want a definite, feasible, fiscally responsible plan, but even then, the Republicans wouldn't agree to that, either."
-- Shawn Brown, 31, lives in Dunwoody and works as an auditor
"I would like to hear Obama not blame the previous administration. I do not want to hear another campaign speech. I do not want him to try to push another stimulus package down our throats, as the previous one didn't work. I received a job from the previous one only to be laid off when the money ran out."
-- McCare Pratt, 29, of Kennesaw, works in accounting but has been unemployed since March
"I hope the president explains the historical context in which this country finds itself. We all tout the fact that Dr. King would be so proud of the accomplishment and advancement of black people as evidenced by the election of the first black president. But unemployment in the black community was 8 percent when Dr. King was alive; now it's between 16 and 20 percent."
-- Wadell Muhammad, 44, lives in Aiken, S.C., and is a school-based career counselor
"I want to hear him say: ‘I will not seek, and will not accept, my party's nomination for president ... ‘ "
-- Robin Horton, 52, of Warner Robbins, works as a retail store manager; he notes that he has "never been unemployed longer than three weeks and never drawn one unemployment check from the government."
"I was released from my position in April 2011, but I refused to sit and wait on unemployment. I signed up with a temporary service, and I've been working since, never missing a beat. If I could talk to President Obama, I'd tell him to continue to do all he can. We are really going to remember this when we get to the polls."
-- Sarah P. Robertson, 52, lives in Riverdale and works as an administrative assistant
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