'08 - The Economy Matters

by Steve Young

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On September 28, 2008 my Republican opponent voted for the $700 billion government upward redistribution of wealth – from ordinary taxpayers to the owners, managers, and stockholders of the failing financial firms.
The redistribution bill is described as a “Bailout.” A title was never more appropriate. Ronald Regan told the story of the black welfare queen driving her Cadillac to pick up a welfare check. As I shook the cobwebs from my head and rubbed my eyes, trying to reorient myself, I saw the new welfare kings on Wall Street, driving their Bentleys and Aston Martins to pick up their $700 billion welfare checks. I wondered, “Do the corporate welfare payments come with food stamps?”
I want America’s house in order again. Together, we can do better. Before the Democrats left the White House in 2001, America was a beacon on a hill. We had enjoyed the longest economic expansion in history. We had the strongest economic growth, one of the lowest inflation rates, the fastest rate of job creation, and the largest real increase in real, after-tax personal income since World War II. We enjoyed the highest level of business investment in history, and America had renewed its leadership in developing the vast new opportunities in science and technology. America was on the move during an era of opportunity for everyone.


We are coming to the end of one of the most destructive administrations in American history. Bush and the Republican Congress took America into a disastrous adventure in Iraq, allowed a major city to drown and remain in disrepair, plundered our national treasury, trampled on our Constitution, destroyed our prestige abroad, and increased the number and plight of the poor. We must support free enterprise, but public works are essential for us to compete in the world, and care for own. I’m for lower taxes, but a hungry man can’t eat it. I’m for local control, but you can’t feed that to a starving baby.


MY SIX COMMITMENTS TO THE MIDDLE CLASS.

We must return to the values that made America great if we are to repair the damage of the last 7 years. I commit to work in Congress to give every American
1) a quality education,
2) equal opportunity,
3) real wages from real jobs,
4) fair taxes,
5) a secure retirement and
6) a health care system that works for America – not just the top 1%.
I want our future to be as bright and hopeful as any time in our history, and it can be if we have the courage to change the old style Washington politics. America must be a country of opportunity for all, responsibility from all, and a community of all.