Denver, CO - Tomorrow night, President Bush will try to paint a rosy picture
in his annual State of the Union address. Sadly, the image President Bush will
present will be completely disconnected from the reality confronting Colorado’s
hard working families.
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak today issued the following statement:
“As President Bush puts the finishing touches on tomorrow night’s
speech, I hope he is preparing to give the people of Colorado more than the
same empty rhetoric and broken promises we’ve seen so many times before.
The fact is, Colorado families are struggling because the Bush Administration
and the Republican Congress have failed to address America’s priorities.
“Median household income in Colorado is down $1857 since President Bush
took office, 147,000 more Coloradoans lack health insurance, 38,000 manufacturing
jobs have been lost, and 16,735 Colorado school children have been forced to
go without crucial after-school programs because President Bush and the Republicans
in Washington have failed to fund key education programs. Instead of focusing
on fixing these problems, Republicans in Washington have fostered a culture
of corruption that puts the special interests ahead of the American people whenever
possible.
“The people of Colorado deserve better. The time has come for President
Bush to join Democrats in fighting for economic prosperity that reaches all
American families, for policies that create good jobs here at home, and for
strong ethics reforms that restore truth and trust to government.”
To highlight President Bush's history of filling his State of the Union addresses
with empty rhetoric and broken promises, the Democratic National Committee has
produced a web ad entitled "Broken Promises." To view the DNC ad,
visit, www.democrats.org
TOGETHER, FAMILIES IN COLORADO CAN DO BETTER
Today, American families are struggling because the Bush White House and the
most corrupt Congress in history have failed to focus on America’s priorities.
The basic American values we all share are not being honored: honesty and integrity
in our government, economic prosperity, a strong national defense, a health
care system that works for everyone, fiscal responsibility, and a strong public
education system. Democrats are united, focused and totally committed to taking
the bold steps necessary so that American families can rebuild the communities
that are the heart of our democracy. Together we can stand for honesty, hard
work, respect, and opportunity for all Americans. Together, families in Colorado
can do better.
American Jobs That Will Stay in America. Over 1900 jobs and
38,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Colorado, with 118,149 looking for
work. [BLS, 1/06] Family income has dropped by $1,857 since 2000. [CPS, 10/05]
But Republicans have missed every opportunity to jump-start our economy, instead
insisting that our economy has turned the corner. Democrats would promote prosperity
by creating new jobs, enacting middle class tax relief, and rewarding companies
that create jobs here at home.
Lowering Energy Costs and Our Dependence on Foreign Oil. Home
heating oil prices are expected to increase by 63 percent in Colorado’s
region of the country as compared to prices in 2000, and gas prices have increased
by 54 cents in Colorado since May of 2004, an increase of 27 percent. [EIA,
1/06; AAA Fuel Gauge Report, 1/06 and 5/04] Republicans have failed to address
high energy costs, passing an energy bill with billions of dollars in subsidies
for big oil and gas companies. Democrats are fighting to lower energy costs
and decrease dependence on foreign oil.
Balancing the Budget. The national debt has increased to $8
trillion, but instead of returning to fiscal sanity, Republicans are preparing
to force through an extension of the capital gains and dividends tax break that
would provide the wealthiest one percent of the families in Colorado with a
tax cut worth $16,271 in 2010, while the middle 20 percent of taxpayers, with
an average income of $48,100, would get $87. [CTJ, 11/18/05] Democrats will
demand accountability from Congress by restoring fiscal responsibility.
Strong National Defense. Over 3,321 brave men and women from
Colorado are serving their country in Afghanistan and Iraq. [DOD Legal Residence/
Home of Record for Service Members Deployed, 1/06] But Republicans failed to
provide members of our military with the resources and equipment they need to
complete their mission successfully and come home safe. They have shut 6,476
veterans in Colorado out of the VA health care system completely. [VHA Policy
& Forecasting 2/24/03, Projected to FY2005] And they refused to end the
Disabled Veterans Tax, passing a false promise of a plan that undermines a secure
retirement for 10,813 veterans in Colorado. [Veterans Administration / Democratic
Leader’s Office, 6/05] Democrats would enhance our national security with
a strong military, sound diplomatic alliances, new resources for our first responders,
and tighter security at our ports.
Health Care System That Works for Everyone. There are 767,000
people without health insurance in Colorado, a 147,000 increase since 2000.
[CPS, 10/05] During that time, the cost of health insurance has increased by
1048 – a 68 percent increase. [KFF 2005; MEPS 2005] But Republicans have
refused to take action to lower health care costs. Democrats would create a
health care system that works for everyone by lowering the cost of health care
and eliminating tax loopholes so everyone pays their fair share.
Strong Public Education. Because Republicans have failed to
provide promised funding for education reforms, 28,016 children in Colorado
have gone without help in reading and math and 16,735 have gone without after-school
programs that boost academic achievement and keep kids safe. [CRS, 1/2006] If
we want American jobs to stay in America, we have to have more American children
succeeding in sciences, math and literacy. Democrats would provide opportunity
through high quality early childhood education, strong public schools, and affordable
college education.
Retirement Security. Social Security provides financial security
and peace of mind to 549,870 people in Colorado. [NWLC 2/05] President Bush
and Republicans in Congress tried to undermine the guarantee of Social Security
for people in Colorado, but Democrats fought back to protect Social Security
for everyone.
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