Originally published January 2 2006
Bush pledges he will work to maintain the nation's economic strength
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Speaking to workers at the John Deere-Hitachi Construction Machinery Corp. in North Carolina, President Bush promised to take measures to ensure the growth of the American economy.
President Bush sought Monday to allay uncertainties about the state of the U.S. economy, telling employees of a thriving heavy-machinery manufacturing plant that he would press his agenda of tax relief and free trade to further expand America's prosperity.
"The economy of the United States is strong and ...
we're going to work together to keep it stronger," the president told employees at the John Deere-Hitachi Construction Machinery Corp., a joint venture of U.S. and Japanese companies.
Monday's speech marked Bush's latest effort to boost his job-approval ratings, now at the lowest of his presidency, with most polls showing that voters give him little credit for the improving economy.
That has alarmed Republican lawmakers, many of whom last week urged the White House to promote the good news more aggressively.
Bush did that last Friday as he highlighted the creation of 215,000 jobs last month.
He reiterated that statistic Monday, then added: "Our unemployment rate is down to 5 percent.
The latest numbers also show the economy grew at 4.3 percent last quarter.
And it has been growing at near that average for more than two years.
This economy of ours is on the move."
In seeking credit for the economy's performance, however, Bush faces something of a balancing act: Because the recent gains in the economy do not apply across the board, an overly rosy portrayal might give the impression that he is out of touch.
In promoting global trade, Bush cited the experience of the Deere-Hitachi plant, which manufactures hydraulic excavators.
But Democrats were not persuaded by Bush's upbeat rhetoric, arguing that his policies have disproportionately benefited the wealthiest segments of society.
Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who is second in command in the House Democratic leadership, said in a statement that Bush's speech "displayed just how out of touch he and congressional Republicans are with middle-class America.
Rising costs and stagnant wages are the economic reality facing most Americans."
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