Report: 1.3 million more Americans in poverty
Ranks of uninsured grow by 1.4 million, Census Bureau says

"The rise was more dramatic for children. There were 12.9 million living in poverty last year, or 17.6 percent of the under-18 population. That was an increase of about 800,000 from 2002, when 16.7 percent of all children were in poverty."

"The poverty rate has risen from a recent low of 11.3 percent in 2000, meaning an additional 4.3 million people are living in poverty as defined by the government."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5829707/


These are the results of the Bush policy, supported lockstep by Rep. Petri. It further shows how incredibly out of touch Petri is - the headline of his last (June 2004) newsletter - "The Economy is Back on Track"

Some quotes from Petri:

"Underlying the improved jobs picture is America's current strong economic performance. In the third quarter of 2003, the economy spurted ahead by 8.2%. Gross Domestic Product growth continued well above the historical average at 4.1% in the fourth quarter and at 4.2% in the first quarter of this year."

"All in all, it's obvious that we have finished correcting the economic excesses of the late '90s and are back on track. Many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet, but the overall outlook shows considerable opportunities ahead."
http://www.house.gov/petri/newslett/june_2004.pdf


If this is how Petri expects to put us 'back on track', I'd like to offer you a different train. Mr. Petri, the 'economic excesses' of the 90's left us with historically low poverty. I call that success, not excess.

We need to end the tax cuts on the wealthy that are strangling the American economy. We need to direct this relief where it will do the most good, the middle and working class.

We need to invest in getting people out of poverty, not take away overtime and make the crawl up the ladder of the American Dream harder yet.

We need jobs that will provide not only income, but benefits the workers. We need to make sure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare. It is a moral shame that in history's wealthiest society, we can have workers - much less children - without health coverage.

I challenge Petri & the Bush administration to release the chains they have put on the market. Allow Medicare to bargain for drug prices, allow importation if drugs, allow the working poor to advance themselves.

And above all, allow every American access to life saving healthcare regardless of their station in life or their place in the economy.

Sen. Edwards is correct when he talks about the two America's. Petri's personal economy may be right on track, but it is at the expense of the millions of American's his policies are are driving deeper and deeper into poverty and hopelessness.

I will be the representative of all members of American society.

This is too important to ignore. We have given Petri 25 years to work on these issues, he has failed. It is time for change.