Economic Growth Continues
Almost 5 Million Jobs Created Since August 2003

Today, The Government Released New Jobs Figures – 243,000 Jobs Created In February. The economy created 243,000 jobs in February and has created about 2.1 million jobs over the past 12 months – and almost 5 million since August 2003. The unemployment rate is 4.8 percent – lower than the average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

The Economy Is Strong And Continues To Grow

GDP Growth Is Strong. Real GDP increased 3.5 percent in 2005, and growth was revised up from an original estimate of 1.1 percent to a 1.6 percent annual rate for the fourth quarter of 2005. The economy has been growing for 17 straight quarters, and the composite index of leading indicators increased 1.1 percent in January, indicating continued economic growth. In the last five years, the President’s tax relief has helped spur growth by keeping $880 billion in the hands of the American people. The Administration has reduced the growth of non-security discretionary spending every year since 2001, and at the President’s request, Congress cut this spending last year.

State Unemployment Rates Fall.
As of January, the unemployment rate is now at a record low in five states: Nevada, Florida, West Virginia, Montana, and Idaho. Over the past year, unemployment rates have decreased in 46 states.

Incomes Increase.
Real disposable incomes have risen 2.2 percent over the past 12 months. Since January 2001, real after-tax income per person has risen 8.2 percent. Real household net worth is at an all-time high of $51.1 trillion, and the median net worth of American households rose 1.5 percent between 2001 and 2004.

Retail Sales Rise.
Nominal retail sales rose 2.3 percent in January and are up 8.8 percent over the past 12 months. In January, real consumer spending posted a solid 0.4 percent gain and increased 3.6 percent over the past year.

Service Sector Grows.
The ISM reports non-manufacturing business activity grew for the 35th consecutive month in February. The ISM’s business activity index reading of 60.1 indicates continued sector growth.

Productivity Growth Continues.
During the past four quarters, productivity has increased 2.5 percent. Productivity has grown at a 3.4 percent annual rate since the business-cycle peak in the first quarter of 2001.

Housing Starts Reach Highest Level In Over 30 Years.
Housing starts in January totaled a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.276 million units – up 14.5 percent from December and the highest level in over 30 years.

Link

Unemployment Rate:
4.8% in Feb 2006

Payroll Employment:
+243,000(p) in Feb 2006

Average Hourly Earnings:
+$0.05(p) in Feb 2006

The Defense budget has increased 45%.

Time of War. You expect him to cut the Defense budget while we have troops elsewhere? Yes, now you can rant your rave about bring troops home again steve.

average income to fall 4.5%, from $46,500 to $44,500.

That is an average income?
Hell I must be poor then.
By the way, how the heck does Bush control what companies pay you? Answer me that?

7 million fewer people now have health care coverage.

Again, how does the President force companies to add health insurance or add more. How about you put blame were it belongs, illegal immigrants help make health costs more expensive, increased litigation keeps health costs more expensive, health care insurances also make it more expensive.

Do you advocate cutting (losing workers) jobs, to be able to afford health insurance for workers?

Again, these are companies, do you advocate the Government be more involved in the private sector than it already is? Big Brother indeed.

There is a war in Iraq costing every taxpayer $2 billion a week.

Wow, ST, can I get a loan from you, 2 billion a week out of just MY paycheck will not allow me ot pay rent anymore.

I have added links to sources I used for statistics, now spill yours steve. Don’t just come in here and spew and not back it up with proof. So out with it.

trouble is your figures are incorrect.

but least you acknowledged the recession, and now will you acknowledge where it came from?

This is too much fun. How can any of us find the party of Really Real SecurityTM at all unserious? Why, let’s read the Plan and grow in confidence of their “tough” and “smart” plans.

Simple question: whom would you put in place to keep your family safe? steve (peas and carrots) and Pelosi/Reid, or camojack and Bush/Cheney? The former would sell you out in a heart beat if it meant another percentage point in the polls. The latter keeps you sleeping safely nights. Count on it.