Tell Senators: State of the Economy Is BAD

What’s the current state of the economy? In a word, it’s bad. Really bad.

Working families are facing the prospect of an economic recession and already are struggling with stagnating wages, soaring health care costs and fewer good jobs.

But the economic stimulus plan currently being considered does not do enough to help the people who need it most.

It is up to the Senate to extend unemployment benefits and increase food stamps to get money into the hands of those who need it most and will spend it quickest. It's also up to them to get relief to strapped states and push the "Go" button on job-creating infrastructure projects already in the pipeline.

Tell your senators to work for a real stimulus package for working families today.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Don't Forget Working Families

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

The latest economic stimulus package does not do enough to help those who need help the most, or to put our economy back to work.

Here's what's missing from the package:

* Extension of unemployment benefits. * Increased food stamp benefits. * Fiscal relief for state and local governments to avoid budget cuts to Medicaid child health, education and other critical programs--and their economically depressing effects. * Acceleration of ready-to-go public investment in school renovations and bridge repairs.

Working families need your help--and helping them is exactly what will stimulate our economy most.

I urge you to get to work on making sure the final economic stimulus package works for working people.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 24, 2008


Background Information

Home values are plummeting, home foreclosures are on the rise, consumer debt is reaching unsustainable levels and prices for energy, health care and education are soaring out of reach for many working families.

The nation’s economy is in the worst shape it’s been in years—maybe even headed toward recession. Working families are worried.

Lawrence Mishel, president of the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute (EPI), explained the need for a stimulus package focused on the needs of working families:

“The recession is about paycheck economics—jobs, wages and family budgets. When most Americans don’t have the cash or the confidence to continue the spending that keeps the economy running, demand for goods dries up, businesses lay off workers, corporate bottom lines flat-line and the economy plunges into a downward spiral.”