Pelosi: Lackluster Jobs Report on Eve of Labor Day Shows We Need a New Direction for Economy
Pelosi: Lackluster Jobs Report on Eve of Labor Day Shows We Need a New Direction for Economy
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to the lackluster jobs report that showed only 128,000 new jobs created in August, while real wages have remained stagnant:
"Today's disappointing jobs report proves President Bush and the Republicans are out of touch with Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck and are struggling to make ends meet. First, we had a so-called recovery' without jobs; now we have a recovery' without wage increases. And yet President Bush continues to assert that 'Things are good for American workers.'
"Just 128,000 jobs were created in August, less than the number needed just to keep pace with the growing labor force. Another 11,000 manufacturing jobs lost. With today's lackluster jobs report, President Bush still has the worst job creation record of any President since the Great Depression.
"While Americans are more productive and working harder, they are taking home a smaller share of the economic pie. Real household income is down $1,273 from 2000, with working-age families income declining every year of the Bush Administration. Paychecks of full-time workers are down for the second year in a row, and health care costs and energy prices continue to climb.
"Today, the beginning of Labor Day weekend, also marks the nine-year anniversary of the last increase in minimum wage. Republicans have never hesitated to cut taxes for the wealthiest few but they have refused to give America's workers a raise for nearly a decade, even as energy, housing, education and health costs have skyrocketed. That's immoral, and Democrats will take our nation in a new direction by raising the minimum wage.
"On this Labor Day, as we pay tribute to the talent, intellect, and entrepreneurial spirit of Americans, who through their work have made our nation strong, let us take America in a New Direction: better jobs, better pay, an end to subsidies to outsource jobs, lifelong learning for the workforce, and a real commitment to an innovation economy that will keep America competitive."
http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/releases.cfm?pressReleaseID=1764