Msnbc: Kerry proposes bailout for states

[salin]

Kerry proposes bailout for states

The Associated Press
Updated: 12:42 p.m. ET Jan. 05, 2004DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry proposed Monday a $25 billion package to aid cash-strapped states and recharge the economy.

Kerry coupled his proposal with a series of efforts to end the drain of American jobs overseas, largely by shifting tax policies to reward companies keeping jobs in the United States.

Most polls have shown Kerry in third place in the race for Iowa’s leadoff caucuses, trailing Howard Dean and Dick Gephardt. Kerry has stepped up the pace of his campaign in recent weeks and was seeking to draw attention with a high-profile speech touting his efforts to boost the economy.

In remarks prepared for delivery Monday, the Massachusetts senator downplayed recent reports of economic improvement, arguing that most workers haven’t felt any change.

An extra 3 cents for every hour
“In an economy that grew 8 percent last quarter, the average American got to bring home an extra 3 cents for every hour of work,” he said. “That’s the slowest wage growth in 40 years.”

(more - including summary of proposals) :
http://msnbc.msn.com/Default.aspx?id=3879732&p1=0

Sounds very good to me. :thumbsup: Senator Kerry!

[salin]

1. This is good stuff - isn't anybody reading or paying attention?

The quality of various positions that candidates are taking on very pressing issues is remarkable. We should be paying attention to these positions - regardless of who one's candidate is (for those of you who have fallen behind a specific candidate) - because the best of these policies very well might make it into the national agenda.

[maddezmom]

5. people are talking about it

there's another link at DU. haven't read it myself yet, but plan on it. :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=65359

[salin]

6. good news - that was on abc.com and this one was on msnbc....

several chose to pick it up. I missed that one - saw a campaign release - but that isn't the same as when the media picks up the story and viewing how it was covered.

[maddezmom]

8. good ideas

<<<—Setting aside $25 billion a year for two years to aid states struggling with budget deficits. States have boosted college tuition and taxes, more than offsetting tax cuts President Bush has pushed, Kerry said.>>>

Can you imagine what the terror alerts are costing the states under bush*?

I need to go to his site to get the other specifics. Thanks for posting. :)

edited: for spelling and typos

[imhotep]

2. why reward republican governors

for drunken borrow and spend behavior? Kerry doesn't understand politics if he doesn't want repuke governors to suffer consequences.

[Monte Carlo]

3. There are people living in those states, you know...

... people who paid taxes and shouldn't be ignored just because they have Republican governors. Massachusetts, for example.

[molly]

4. OMG - who gives a flying F who is the govenor of a state

in need? Let's just pretend it's Howard's state shall we.

[salin]

7. I disagree.

As the earlier poster said - there are real people suffering real consequences and the pain has been greatly exacerbated by DC spending - cutting what gets paid to programs like Medicaid and special education - requiring even more scarce dollars at the state level to be dedicated to those programs - and STILL resulting in cuts.

Politically speaking it is smart as well. Milk it for the PR - the republicans screwed it up in DC, the republican governors screwed it up at home (but the reality is the economy sucks and with washington policies, most states - including those governed by democrats - are in hard straights)... but President Kerry can help right the wrong. The right PR and it is a huge win for a sitting president.