Eight steps Congress can take to create more jobs

The U.S. unemployment rate is at a 25-year high, 10.2%, and the job market is likely to get worse before it gets better. The nation's economy has started to recover, but net monthly job creation -- a lag indicator -- is not likely to start for several months, and perhaps not until mid-2010. That means the unemployment rate will probably rise until early next year.

Is the United States resigned to just let market forces play themselves out, with the unemployment rate rising to whatever level it could? Or are there additional actions the U.S. Congress and state legislatures can take to stimulate job growth and create jobs? Indeed, there are measures legislators can enact. Below are a few: