Economy

President Bush and the Republican Congress' fiscal irresponsibility has resulted in record budget deficits, driving our country deeper into debt while millions of American families are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet, and going deeper in debt. Our national debt today is a whopping $8.2 trillion -- meaning that every American's share is about $27,000. That's a bill that you, your children, and your grandchildren will have to pay.

I believe that we need to take America in a New Direction by bringing opportunity and fiscal security to all Americans, not just to a wealthy few. We should:
Increase the minimum wage;
Make college more affordable;
Make health care more accessible and affordable;
Help make home ownership affordable; and
Restore fiscal responsibility in the Congress with Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO).

For businesses and employees, Democrats have an Innovation Agenda to create good-paying jobs and keep America competitive by:

Building a skilled workforce in science, engineering, and information technology;
Spurring federal research and development;
Guaranteeing access to broadband technology;
Achieving energy independence; and
Ending tax breaks that promote shipping jobs overseas.

Overall, I will put working families first so that they will see their income grow, have opportunities for good-paying job increases, and have a better standard of living.