News
August 26, 2004
harkin: new poverty and health care numbers reflect bush’s misplaced priorities
“Unfortunately, the poverty and health care numbers released today indicate that President Bush’s destructive economic policies continue to steer this country in the wrong direction. Sadly, these numbers are further proof of the Bush Administration’s failure to fulfill its promise of lifting up hard-working American families. It is clear that the administration’s failed policies have actually made life more difficult for millions of Americans, especially children, who make up more than 60 percent of those who entered poverty last year.
“Over the last three years, poverty in Iowa has increased from 7.2 percent to 9.1 percent. And the number of Americans without health care has jumped 5.2 million, reaching 45 million.
“Clearly, the Bush Administration’s huge tax breaks for the wealthy are not working. With exploding deficits and disastrous outcomes for American families, common sense says it is time to stop digging. We need to roll back the outrageous tax breaks for the wealthy, focus on creating real jobs, and make it a national priority to ensure that all Americans have access to adequate health care.”
