Kerry criticizes legacy of "Bushonomics" on middle class

[Adelante]

BOSTON --President Bush is leaving a tarnished economic legacy that will haunt the middle class and their children, according to U.S. Sen. John Kerry, who is urging his party to embrace what he calls a "bold new age in progressive politics."

Under Bush, the economic gains made by the middle class and minorities during the Clinton administration have not only been eroded, but reversed, Kerry, D-Mass., said in prepared remarks to be delivered Monday at the historic Faneuil Hall in Boston.

"This is Bushnomics: those at the top get the benefit, and you and future generations get stuck with the bill," said Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004 who failed to unseat Bush. "That is the Bush legacy to America's economy."

Even as he lashed the Bush administration, Kerry also laid down a challenge for leaders in his own party, who he said have to do more than just offer piecemeal and incremental solutions for towering problems.

He said the country is now as far away from the New Deal as the New Deal was from the Civil War and the time is ripe for a new set of bold initiatives geared for the challenges of the new century.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/09/30/kerry_criticizes_legacy_of_bushonomics_on_middle_class/

[liberal N proud]

1. the bu$h regime is building a two class society

Those who have it all and those who have nothing.

[slipslidingaway]

2. Bold initiatives...such as not for profit health care :)

"We need big sweeping changes, not bite-sized ideas that are poll tested, sound bite ready and destined to be mere footnotes to the times we live in," Kerry said in the prepared remarks. "It is now time for progressives to match Franklin Roosevelt's vision, not just mimic his rhetoric."

Chief among those challenges is creating a system of universal health care for all Americans, young and old, Kerry said.

Universal health care is not just a moral imperative, but an economic one, according to Kerry, who said the inefficiencies of the health care system make the country less competitive and force companies to either cut benefits for workers or move jobs abroad and offer little or no coverage...

...Kerry also took a shot at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for turning away from the Massachusetts health care plan he helped create "so fast he's going to need a good health care plan to treat him for whiplash."


K&R thanks for posting.

[ProSense]

3. Transcript

posted here.

[Adelante]

5. Thanks

It's a terrific speech.

[YvonneCa]

4. I've read the transcript...

...and it's a great speech. I can't wait to see it...I hope there's video somewhere...maybe C-Span??

[karynnj]

6. There was mention that there were TV cameras

so it likely was filmed - I hope the video is put up somewhere. There was a Dkos liveblog. (One of the MA blogs said there were 500 - 600 people there.) Pretty good for a 12pm Monday speech.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/10/1/10414/2152

[ProSense]

7. Cool, thanks! n/t

[hibiscus]

8. K & R n/t