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On Labor Day, Americans Celebrate--But Also Struggle To Get Ahead

Posted by Stephanie Taylor on August 31, 2007 at 01:50 PM

Americans are celebrating Labor Day this weekend, but even as we honor workers, new data from the Census Bureau shows that more and more Americans are struggling to get by.

Wages declined last year, as the number of Americans without health coverage rose to 47 million--including 600,000 more uninsured children. In honor of Labor Day, Governor Dean issued this statement:

"Americans across the country will observe Labor Day this weekend by honoring the contributions of America's working families. But under the failed leadership of President Bush and his Republican friends, wages have declined, the number of uninsured has increased, and gas and college costs have risen. Yet President Bush and his Republican allies continue to put their special interest friends ahead of American families.

"Democrats are keeping their promises to America's families. Under a Democratic Congress we have increased the minimum wage for the first time in over a decade, passed a bill to make college more affordable by cutting student loan interest rates, passed legislation to give health care to millions of low-income children and fought to protect workers' rights to bargain collectively and form unions. Instead of working with Democrats, Republicans prefer to block progress, and President Bush has threatened to veto legislation that is critical to America's working families.

"As we look towards 2008, the choice between the Republican and
Democratic presidential candidates is clear. All of the Democratic
candidates are committed to making sure the American Dream is available to everyone, while the Republican candidates want to continue President Bush's narrow special-interest agenda. Electing a Democratic president next year will ensure that America's working families come first."

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