Bush Lauds Strength of Economy POPLAR BLUFF, MO. (AP) - President Bush told Missouri voters Monday that new unemployment figures suggest "the economy is strong and getting stronger...."

Labor Pains
Middle-class wages are stagnant, the ranks of workers with employer-provided health coverage are shrinking, the job-creation machine is missing more than hitting and poverty is on the rise. To top it off, the Congressional Budget Office last month confirmed that the Bush administration's $400 billion in tax cuts favored those traveling in staterooms over those jammed into steerage....

The Census Bureau recently reported that median family income was virtually flat last year after two years of noticeable declines, and that an additional 1.3 million Americans slipped into poverty. On Tuesday, the Conference Board's monthly survey showed consumer confidence headed south. And although the 144,000 new jobs created in August were welcome news, job creation continues to lag behind what would be expected this deep into an economic recovery.

Meanwhile, a growing parade of Americans goes without employee healthcare benefits, priced out as monthly contributions and co-payments soar.

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