WH: 'The Economy Remains Strong, And The Outlook Is Favorable'

[bigtree]

White House
Office of the Press Secretary
July 7, 2006

Fact Sheet: Job Creation Continues - 5.4 Million Jobs Created Since August 2003

Today, The Government Released New Jobs Figures – 121,000 Jobs Created In June. The economy has created about 1.85 million jobs over the past 12 months – and more than 5.4 million since August 2003. The unemployment rate is 4.6 percent – lower than the average of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

The Economy Remains Strong, And The Outlook Is Favorable

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060707.html


not so fast . . .


Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Statement on June's Tepid Jobs Report

7/7/2006 11:30:00 AM
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=68892

WASHINGTON, July 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to the tepid jobs report that showed only 121,000 new jobs created in June, while real wages have remained stagnant over the last three years. Growth in payroll employment has been anemic under the Bush Administration, averaging only 42,000 per month compared to job growth of 237,000 per month under the Clinton Administration. Below are Pelosi's statement and a chart showing how Republicans have turned their backs on the middle class:

"President Bush and Congressional Republicans are crowing about the economy even while it continues in the wrong direction for most American families.

"The President just doesn't get it. Many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and families are struggling to make ends meet -- as gas prices and health care costs are doubling, oil prices remain at record level, and real family income has stalled. Republicans continue to drive up America record national debt with tax breaks for their Big Oil cronies, while denying a pay raise for 15 million Americans.

"Democrats have a New Direction for America that brings economic opportunity and security to all Americans -- not an economy that work for just the wealthy few and Big Oil cronies."

[fasttense]

1. Maybe it's great for the haves and have mores but us middle class

are working harder and getting less. The economy really sucks. God I miss the good old days (the middle and late 1990s) when all I had to do was a few days of searching and I could get a decent job with half decent pay. Even the teenagers could earn some decent money if they stuck with it. Not anymore. Minimum wage is all you get and even the administrative jobs are paying crap.

[LiberalEsto]

2. Amen

I wish I could find a full-time job!

[bigtree]

3. Kerry Reacts to Bush Economic Press Conference

7/7/2006 1:11:00 PM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=68897

Contact: Kathryn Seck of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 202-224-9431

WASHINGTON, July 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, President Bush held a press conference following a breakfast meeting with Chicago business leaders. Following is a statement from Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:

"Today President Bush missed yet another opportunity to actually do something to help small businesses. The president praises the optimism of Illinois businesses, yet more of the state's businesses closed their doors in 2004 than new businesses were opened. Instead of doing something to address sky-high gas prices, expensive loans and outsourced jobs, this president is holding photo ops touting his policies that are failing small businesses.

"Not once today did President Bush talk about fostering entrepreneurship for every sector of our society. If Washington is going to help small businesses thrive, we have to invest in the innovative ideas and hard work of all small firms, including those owned by minorities, women and veterans. It's common-sense that's long overdue."

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=68897