Most Vulnerable Communities Can't Afford Another Year of Bush's 'Compassionate' Politics

Tonight, President Bush again demonstrated how out of touch his Administration is with the American public. President Bush spoke of building the prosperity of our country, but since 2000 the number of Americans living in poverty has grown by more than 6 million. President Bush spoke of how the government is meeting its responsibility to help provide health care for the poor and elderly, yet since he took office health care costs have risen by nearly 60 percent and the number of Latinos who are uninsured increased to 13.7 million. President Bush also spoke of reducing America's dependency on foreign oil and being a democratic leader in the world, yet since he took office America's dependency has increased by nearly 10 percent and he has engaged in a campaign to violate Americans' civil liberties.

America is a strong, hopeful, hardworking nation, but our nation's most vulnerable communities cannot afford another year of President Bush's so-called compassionate policies. I believe working families deserve fair wages and a stable, secure energy policy - not one which lines the pockets of the oil companies at the consumers' expense. I will continue to work to help relieve the burden of health care costs on small businesses while ensuring health care is culturally competent. I will continue to toward a plan to secure the peace in Iraq and bring American servicemen and women home, and I will continue to fight for the better, stronger, more free America that Americans desire and deserve.