Donald M. Payne: “middle-class Americans are feeling more and more squeezed by the economy that values productivity, but not enough to…”

“middle-class Americans are feeling more and more squeezed by the economy that values productivity, but not enough to reward it with an increase in pay. Wages are simply not keeping up with inflation, making it more difficult for families to afford monthly bills. One of the most daunting bills families face today is the bill for their children's college education. The average cost for a 4-year college at a State university is $40,000 and the cost for private colleges top $107,000. Democrats want to help families better afford these ever-increasing costs. Republicans, on the other hand, refuse to join us in making college more affordable. Earlier this year, they actually made college more expensive for our Nation's students when they cut $12 billion from the higher education budget, forcing college kids to pay more interest on loans. Valuable dollars for college assistance are being siphoned off by the war in Iraq, which this administration chose to wage rather than to devote dollars not only to domestic priorities but to finding Osama bin Laden. Thank you, President Clinton, for telling it like it is and making the administration more accountable for their lack of vision and failed policies.”