Job Loss Numbers Point to Need for New Direction in Washington

Merkley Has Plan to Create Jobs, Smith Offers More of the Same
The Labor Department reported today that the unemployment rate has jumped to 6.1% -- the highest in five years. Approximately 84,000 jobs have been lost over the last month - the eighth straight month of losses. Right now more than 9 million Americans are looking for work.

"Families are hurting and they aren't getting the help they need from Washington," said House Speaker and Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Merkley. "Gordon Smith and George Bush have delivered soaring energy and food prices, the mortgage meltdown, and an economy that is bleeding jobs. The Bush-Smith economy pads the profits of the most powerful special interests and squeezes middle class families. It's time for a change."

Jeff Merkley would make Washington work for working families. He has laid forth a plan that would spur economic growth by:

* Ending billion dollar giveaways to oil companies and investing in a new green economy;

* Fixing unfair trade agreements that ship jobs overseas;

* Ending federal giveaways to companies that outsource American jobs;

* Strengthening the Buy American Act;

* Giving middle class families additional tax relief;

* Providing affordable health care to all Americans; and

* Investing in public transportation infrastructure to create thousands of new jobs.

Gordon Smith has offered no new proposals to spur job creation. His only answer to America's economic woes is to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.

"Middle class families are being hit from all sides - higher costs for food, fuel and health care and lower wages and benefits. Now the unemployment rate is the highest it's been in five years. The Bush-Smith agenda hasn't worked for our country. We need to move in a new direction," said Merkley.

Click here for more on Jeff Merkley's plans to turn our economy around and create new jobs.

Posted September 5, 2008
Press