Jobless Iowans eager to hear president's plan

Across the country, many Americans will tune in to watch President Obama's much-anticipated address to Congress Thursday night. Many want to know how he plans to create jobs.

Jobless residents in Eastern Iowa hope President Obama's message will help them find work.

For many, like Ernest Tyson of Cedar Rapids, searching for jobs is an every day deal.

Sometimes he spends eight hours a day online and trekking across the city handing out resumes.

"It's hard work when you're searching for a job,” Tyson said.

The tireless process began about two weeks ago, when he lost his job.

Now, along with many other jobless Americans, Ernest will listen closely to every word of President Obama's speech.

"I don't understand, we've got bridges, infrastructure, we have things that need to be done in this country and why can't we create jobs,” Tyson said.

IowaWORKS Regional Director Carter Baldwin will also watch the president's speech.

"I think there is a huge demand to get job seekers that are looking for jobs employed, and so I think that people looking for jobs are going to be very interested to see what the president has to say,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin said he has his own hopes for the president's speech. He'd like to hear a plan that includes funding for educational programs.

"One of the things that can really make a difference for job seekers is to have support and resources for upscaling and getting the training needed to get that good job,” Baldwin said.

Whatever the president's jobs plan entails, Ernest says he wants it to help others, like himself, struggling to get by.

"If something doesn't happen soon, this country is going to be in a real pickle,” Tyson said.

The President's address begins at 6 p.m. Thursday.