[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 19764]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      AMERICA'S ECONOMIC SITUATION

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, President Bush and congressional 
Republicans are out of touch with the economic conditions faced by 
millions of working Americans today. If they would only take time to 
talk with any working Americans, they would hear that most fear they 
are losing their piece of the American Dream. Most Americans are not 
asking for much. They want to keep their heads above water without 
going into debt so they can provide a better future for their children.
  Unfortunately, most Americans believe the American Dream is getting 
harder to reach, and many fear their children will be worse off in the 
future. Working Americans are justifiably skeptical about today's 
economy. While overall productivity is up, monthly paychecks are 
stagnant, forcing most families to stretch paychecks just to make ends 
meet.
  This is not how our country is supposed to work. Unfortunately, 
Washington Republicans continue to ignore the needs of the middle 
class. Democrats have a proud history of fighting for working families 
and will take our country in a new direction, one where their needs are 
addressed, not ignored.

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