Labor & Economy

Why N.C. Needs a New Labor Commissioner

kbolton — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:30:52 -0600

Charlotte Observer Editorial
July 22, 2008

N.C. Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry has given voters multiple reasons to change the leadership of that department in November. Now she's given them one more: She won't use additional money the state legislature provided to shore up the department's unsatisfactory oversight of a dangerous industry.

That means the state will do little this year to improve deplorable conditions for workers in poultry processing plants. That's unacceptable. North Carolina needs a labor commissioner who acts as a watchdog for worker safety, not one who makes nice to business and industry.

Obama Economic Plan to Provide Real Relief for North Carolina Families

kbolton — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:34:23 -0600

Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that unemployment rate in North Carolina jumped to 6.0%, the fifth straight month of unemployment increases. This new data is just the latest confirmation that our economy is failing North Carolina’s families, and that we need to change course from the Bush economic policies that John McCain is intent on continuing.

With the price of gas over $4.10 a gallon nationally, the cost of health insurance rising, and national job losses falling for six straight months and totaling 438,000 since January, America’s working families need real relief.

New DNC Video Blasts McCain-Gramm Economic Vision

admin — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:08:20 -0600

After a weekend of watching John McCain's campaign try to distance itself from campaign co-chair and top economic advisor Phil Gramm, the Democratic National Committee today released a new video highlighting the inseparable link between McCain and Gramm. Called "John McCain & Phil Gramm: It's All In Your Head," the new video shows McCain repeatedly praising Gramm's judgment on the economy and echoing Gramm's claim that the economic challenges facing America's working families are "psychological."

Obama's Economic Plan for Working Women

kbolton — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:57:17 -0600

More than a half-million North Carolinians will benefit from Senator Barack Obama’s Economic Plan for America’s Working Women released on Thursday.

Over the past generation, women have made unparalleled gains in the American economy.

Working women make up a growing share of our workforce, our entrepreneurs, and our innovators. Yet despite this progress, American women continue to shoulder substantial economic burdens.

McCain Supports the Bush Economy

admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:22:25 -0600

Elizabeth Dole Still Doesn’t Get It

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:24:59 -0600

Squandering yet another opportunity to side with working families over special interests, Elizabeth Dole today voted against sensible tax cuts and investments in renewable energy that would help spur our economy and wean the United States off of its dependence on foreign oil.

Obama Remarks: Renewing American Competitiveness

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:05:08 -0600

The following statement was made by Barack Obama in Flint, Michigan on June 15, 2008.

It's great to be at Kettering - a university that is teaching the next generation of leaders, and training workers to have the skills they need to advance their own careers and communities.

For months, the state of our economy has dominated the headlines - and the news hasn't been good. The sub-prime lending debacle has sent the housing market into a tailspin, and caused a broader contraction in the credit markets. Over 360,000 jobs have been lost this year, with the unemployment rate registering the biggest one month jump since February 1986. Incomes have failed to keep pace with the rising costs of health insurance and college, and record oil and food prices have left families struggling just to keep up.

McCain's Health Care Plan Would Overburden Business

kbolton — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:09:11 -0600

Washington, DC - John McCain says he will stand up for America's small businesses and that "[e]ntrepreneurs are at the heart of American innovation, growth and prosperity."

Obama hits McCain on economy, gas prices

kbolton — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:52:26 -0600

By CHARLES BABINGTON
The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The presidential campaign turned to the economy Monday, with record gasoline prices and a spike in job losses putting Republican John McCain at a distinct disadvantage.

Democrat Barack Obama seized on the issue by launching a two-week economic tour meant to highlight his differences with McCain on taxes, spending priorities and other matters. At every turn he is tying McCain to President Bush, whose approval ratings are consistently low.

Sen. Burr Says McCain Would Continue Bush’s Failed Economic Policies

kbolton — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:12:41 -0600

RALEIGH -- Senator Richard Burr admitted in a conference call with reporters today that John McCain wants to continue President Bush’s tax policies, claiming that “the Bush tax policies that McCain wants to continue” have benefited North Carolina.

In reality, the Bush economy has been a nightmare for North Carolina. Unemployment, child poverty and the number of North Carolinians who lack health insurance have all soared on President Bush’s watch.

John McCain and his campaign allies will clearly say anything to deflect attention from McCain’s promise to extend the flawed, out of touch Bush policies on everything from health care and social security to the mortgage crisis.