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SENATOROBAMA STATEMENT ON DOUBLE DIGIT AFRICANAMERICAN UNEMPLOYMENT |
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Friday, 05 September 2008 |
"Today'sjobs report is a stark reminder of what's at stake
for
African Americanfamilies in this election - John McCain showed last
night
that he is intent oncontinuing the economic policies that just this
year
have caused the AfricanAmerican unemployment rate to jump to 10.6%.
Over
the past year, AfricanAmerican unemployment has shot up by 2.9
percentage
points -the largest oneyear increase in 24 years. John McCain may
believe
that the fundamentals of oureconomy are 'strong,' but African
American
families are working harder andharder for less, with incomes down
$1,800
since George Bush took office.
JohnMcCain's answer is more of
the same: $200 billion in tax cuts to big
corporationsand oil companies, and
not one dime of tax relief to more than
100 millionmiddle-class
families. If I am President, I will cut taxes for
95% of allworking
families and provide an immediate $50 billion to
struggling states sothat
they don't have to cut back on health care and
education and can rebuildroads
and schools. That's the change working
families need right now," saidSenator
Barack Obama.
Senator Obama's Emergency Economic Plan
includes:
Cut taxes for 95
percent of working families - by $500 for
anindividual and $1,000 for a
married couple. Barack Obama supports a set
of middle classtax cuts including
a "Making Work Pay" credit that would
provide $500 for anindividual or $1,000
for a married couple - a benefit
for 95 percent of workersand their families.
Given the pressing situation
in the economy today he wouldlike the first
round of checks to be delivered
as quickly as possible to helpfamilies cope
with the rising price of
gasoline, food and other
necessities.
$25 billion in a
State Growth Fund to prevent state and
localcuts in health, education and
housing assistance or counterproductive
increasesin property taxes, tolls or
fees. The fund will also ensure
sufficient funding forhome heating and
weatherization assistance as we move
into the fall and
wintermonths.
$25 billion in
a Jobs and Growth Fund to replenish the
highwaytrust fund; prevent cutbacks
in road and bridge maintenance and fund
new,fast-tracked projects to repair
schools - all to save more than 1
millionjobs in danger of being
cut.
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