During a speech before the American Conservative Union, President Bush said, “This economy is strong, and it is getting stronger.” (5/13/04)

A majority of Americans, however, disagree – 54% believe that the nation is headed in the wrong direction. (Zogby Poll, 5/16/04)

Schakowsky said: “A famous Republican once asked: ‘Are you better off today than you were four years ago?’ To most Americans, the answer today is No.  A Gallup poll released in early May found that 62% of Americans are dissatisfied with the way things are going here at home. 

“There is a reason why a majority of Americans believe that our country is headed in the wrong direction under the leadership of President Bush.    
 
• Median income has dropped by 3.3% since President Bush was elected. 
• 2 million Americans have lost their jobs since President Bush got his. 
• 3.5 million people have moved onto the poverty rolls since President Bush moved into the White House. 
• Four million more people are uninsured since President Bush was sworn in.
• Our constituents are being gouged at the gas pump while President Bush fills his campaign coffers with checks from big oil and big gas.

“Clearly, we are not better off.”