Democrat (Obama): Economy Squeezing Middle Class

[CShine]

WASHINGTON - The Democratic nominee for the Senate from Illinois took the Bush administration to task Saturday for celebrating improving economic statistics while middle-class Americans are getting squeezed. Barack Obama, a state senator from Chicago, said in the Democrats' weekly radio address that his experience on the campaign trail shows him that ordinary citizens are measuring the health of the economy differently than President Bush.

"The new jobs being created in Illinois pay an average of $15,000 less than the jobs that we've lost — and fewer offer real benefits," he said. "Health insurance premiums and the cost of a college education have skyrocketed since the beginning of the Bush administration."

Obama cited the examples of a couple in Galesburg, Ill., who lost their jobs at a Maytag plant that is relocating to Mexico, and that of an another couple from Alton, Ill., who will soon lose their jobs because Hawk Motors is moving overseas.

"Now, it wouldn't be fair or accurate to blame all of this on the Bush administration," he said. "It is fair, however, to say that they haven't done much to help."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=683&ncid=703&e=4&u=/ap/20040626/ap_on_el_se/democrats_economy

[Frances]

1. This should be the Dem mantra

The Middle Class Squeeze

New jobs pay less, have fewer benefits

Health insurance premiums up, college tuition up

Not fair to blame all on Bush, but what has Bush done to help?

Remember Reagan and Are you better off today than you were 4 years ago?

[davsand]

2. Obama's wife today said something to the effect of

'They are trying to paint us as radicals because we support such radical ideas as affordable health care,living wages, affordable housing and good schools. Since when did taking care of common ordinary people become a radical idea?'

I thought Barack was just the bee's knees when I met him, but his wife is equally amazing. I gotta tell you, Michelle could run circles around Pickles (and most other political wives) any day of the week.

Illinois is very truly blessed!

Laura


BTW, as an aside, Barack's wife claims he's far from perfect. She says he's good, but he's still "a MAN!" According to her, he can't get the bread wrapper closed up and misses the dirty clothes hamper with his socks. Kind of a far cry from Ryan's situation--eh?