Wants to end pork barrel spending by adhering to strict budgetary priorities.  Would increase transparency in Congress in order to increase accountability. To fight unemployment, supports a buffer account against a sudden loss of income using unemployment-insurance taxes. Plans to draw on the strengths of America's community colleges, applying the funds from federal training accounts to give displaced workers an educational opportunity. Believes government assistance to the banking system should be based solely on preventing system risk that would endanger the entire financial system and economy.

Supports increased minimum wage as well as job creation and training programs for low-income workers; would increase access to venture capital in underserved communities and help fund a national network of public-private business incubators; create millions of new “green" jobs and invest in rebuilding national infrastructure; strengthen unions and pass the Patriot Employer Act which gives tax breaks to American companies that create jobs and wages at home rather than abroad; supports greater investment in education and basic scientific research to maintain competitive edge; pass comprehensive immigration reform to “attract the best and the brightest."