SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATION MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY THE ECONOMY

MAY 18, 2004

SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATION MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY -
THE ECONOMY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued "The Bush Administration Misstatement of the Day" on the economy.

During a speech before the American Conservative Union, President Bush said, "This economy is strong, and it is getting stronger." (5/13/04)

A majority of Americans, however, disagree - 54% believe that the nation is headed in the wrong direction. (Zogby Poll, 5/16/04)

Schakowsky said: "A famous Republican once asked: 'Are you better off today than you were four years ago?' To most Americans, the answer today is No. A Gallup poll released in early May found that 62% of Americans are dissatisfied with the way things are going here at home.

"There is a reason why a majority of Americans believe that our country is headed in the wrong direction under the leadership of President Bush.

. Median income has dropped by 3.3% since President Bush was elected.
. 2 million Americans have lost their jobs since President Bush got his.
. 3.5 million people have moved onto the poverty rolls since President Bush moved into the White House.
. Four million more people are uninsured since President Bush was sworn in.
. Our constituents are being gouged at the gas pump while President Bush fills his campaign coffers with checks from big oil and big gas.

"Clearly, we are not better off."