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Hundreds of angry, frustrated Angelenos showed up to a "Kitchen Table Summit" in Inglewood yesterday to tell their congressional representatives about their struggles with unemployment and underemployment.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the summit's attendees were frustrated that corporations are doing relatively well, while workers are being laid off:
The recession has slammed Los Angeles County, where 1 in 4 workers are jobless or underemployed, according to Good Jobs LA. This summer, L.A. businesses announced 5,700 layoffs, the jobs advocacy group said. At the same time, corporations are hoarding almost $2 trillion in cash but failing to invest in jobs, the advocacy group said. The group also cited skyrocketing bonuses for many chief executives and big tax breaks for some of the nation's largest companies.
"I want to know why corporations are not paying their fair share," said Lisa Agcaoili, a part-time teacher who said she supports five grandchildren and hasn't had a pay raise in four years.
This week Waters said that Obama needed to get tough with Republicans, while she was at a job fair in Atlanta. But while she was speaking at the summit on Saturday, she saved most of her venom for the Tea Party, whom she blames them for helping the Republicans take the House and making things worse for working people.
"As far as I'm concerned, the Tea Party can go straight to hell," she said. "And I'm gonna tell them how to get there."