From Happy Labor Day — Now, Get a Job! (A letter from Michael Moore), 2003-08-29:
Bush is on pace to raise almost $200 million in time for the Republican primaries where his only competition will be his own dismal record. In Minnesota this past Tuesday, Bush raised $1.4 million by giving a 24-minute speech. Thats about $60,000 for each minute of “work.” By contrast, the weekly salary of the average American worker is a staggering $616.As Ron Eibensteiner, chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, left the event in St. Paul, he was met by hundreds of demonstrators. Being the dignified, freedom-loving, compassionate conservative we all wish we could be, Eibensteiner leaned over a police barricade toward the protestors and yelled, “GET A JOB!”
It was a positive, uplifting message to America. The Minnesota Republican Party isnt going to do anything to turn the economy around, and Bush hasnt done anything in almost three years in office. The best any of them can do is yell at people.
In the past year, 700,000 people were added to the list of unemployed. The number of people out of work for half a year or more is up 28%. Thanks to “Welfare to Work” (and Bill Clinton), July of 2003 saw 43.8% of the unemployed lose their state support even though they still could not find a joba record high. Since Bush took over the country, roughly 2.5 million jobs have simply evaporated.
Via Jon Lebkowsky at Greater Democracy.