Burgess Owens: “jobs, the No. 1 concern of the overwhelming majority of Americans. Jobs are the No. 1 concern of the people, but you do…”

“jobs, the No. 1 concern of the overwhelming majority of Americans. Jobs are the No. 1 concern of the people, but you do not see that same concern reflected here in Washington around the floor of this House. The question that most Americans are asking is will we be better off when the 100 days are ended and the Contract With America has been passed. Does it matter one way or the other with respect to our concern about jobs and income? Will we be better off, those who have lost wages over the last 10 years? They have jobs, but the jobs are not paying as much as they paid before. So, will they have higher paid jobs after the Contract With America is passed? Will they be better off? No. There is a tremendous amount of downsizing that is taking place. Corporations are maximizing their profits. Profits are escalating, getting greater and greater all the time. The wealth of the country is increasing dramatically. You know, we talk about taxes being too high, regulations being too great, and yet corporations are thriving, great profits are being made. We are the wealthiest country, the wealthiest Nation, that ever existed in the history of the world, and yet people are worried about losing their jobs. Those who have jobs are not being paid enough. Those who have jobs often fear that downsizing is going to lead to an end to those jobs, and there are large amounts who are unemployed. Unemployment now is officially at 5.7 present.”