Community Voiced Frustration At Miami's Congressional Speakout

NORTHWEST  MIAMI_DADE (CBS4)- Hundreds of Miami-Dade residents swarmed the Miami-Dade Colleges North Campus this Saturday afternoon to make their voices heard during a Congressional speakout.

Jobs, healthcare and education were all hot topics at the congressional speak-out Saturday afternoon at Miami Dade College's North Campus Lehman Theater in Northwest Miami-Dade. Three congressional representatives were in attendance to hear the South Florida community speak about their struggles in these tough economic times.

Those expected to hear what Miami-Dade residents have to say included U.S. Reps. Frederica Wilson, Ted Duetche,  Arizona rep. Raul Grijalva and Keith Ellison of Minnesota. The event was hosted by the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

"Currently I'm living couch to couch and worrying about when my next meal is and all of this just to pay tuition for this coming semester," a Miami-Dade resident said to those on stage.

Another reside said he had to cut back.

"I quit paying my health insurance because I couldn't afford it," he said.

One woman agree that the lifelines of the community are dying.

"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired," she said. "It's a shame that liberty city looks the way it looks and there are no jobs in that community."

"Four years ago I employed four gentlemen and I made $54,000 a year, but this year I employ myself and an assistant and I made $25,000 a year," one attendee said.

It's a message that did not fall on deaf ears.

"Right now were facing two Miami," representative Frederica Wilson said.

Wilson said if you look out at the packed house of people its apparent that the tale of two Miami the very rich and the very poor, and a middle class that is nearly gone.

"It was quite evident these are the people who are struggling and we have to find ways to help them," Wilson said.

Easier said and done as the people in the crowd need action now, as they wait and wonder when all the debate and all the speeches will finally open the door to the opportunity that they so desperately need.

"They're just looking for good jobs and they're looking to be able to have their opportunity at the American dream and for their children as well, which is slipping away slowly but surely," Jose Suarez of One Miami said.

One Miami will send the delegation back to Washington, D.C. with a clear message: Miami needs good-paying jobs.