Bob Dole 1996 On the Issues
Where Bob Dole
Stands on Economy
Bill
Clinton's Policies Have Caused Stagnant Economic Growth
In 1990, when the economy was growing at 3.7 percent, Bill Clinton said that we
had "the worst economy in 50 years." In the last three years, the
economy has grown at an anemic 2.4 percent -- two full percentage points lower
than the average recovery growth rate since World War II.
Because of this slower economic growth rate, the American people are suffering
from stagnant family income, shrinking wages, the highest tax burden in
history, an increased number of bankruptcies, and an increased number of people
living in poverty.
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After adjusting for
inflation, median household income under the Clinton Administration in
1994 was $97 less than what it was in 1992.
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The Employment Cost Index,
used by the Labor Department to measure both wages and benefits, rose less
than one-half of 1 percent in 1995 -- the slowest growth in 14 years.
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The typical American family
pays more in total taxes than it spends on food, clothing, and housing
combined -- 38 percent vs. 28 percent.
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1996 is expected to be the
first year in American history when more than 1 million people declare
personal bankruptcy.
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More Americans live in
poverty today than at any time during the previous two administrations.
Bob Dole Has a Solid Pro-Growth Economic
Record
Bob Dole is a proven leader in the effort to increase economic growth. He has:
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Proposed a plan to balance
the budget by 2002 -- the first balanced budget since 1969 -- which
includes tax cuts for working American families.
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Sponsored Balanced Budget
Amendments as early as 1971.
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Introduced and shepherded
the enactment of President Reagan's Economic Recovery Tax Act, the largest
tax cut in American history, which has already saved taxpayers more than
$2.5 trillion.
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Expanded Individual
Retirement Accounts.
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Supported the SIMPLE
pension plan for small businesses, increasing the amount that
self-employed individuals can deduct for their health insurance premiums.
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Fought for estate-tax
relief for family-owned businesses.
A Dole-Kemp Economic Growth Plan Will Help
All Americans
The Dole-Kemp economic growth plan is designed to achieve an annual growth rate
of 3.5 percent per year. While that goal is ambitious, America can reach that
rate of growth with the right policies. What would it mean for America's
families?
Like all great economic reforms, the effects would ripple out into the American
economy, helping in time every household. For example, a growth rate of 3.5
percent per year would double the real income of the average American citizen
within a generation:
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Median family income is now
about $40,000 per year. If America achieves the goal of a 3.5 percent
annual growth rate, the median family income for the next generation will
be about $80,000 per
year, adjusted for inflation.
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Per capita income would
rise from $17,000 today to $34,000.
A Better America
A Dole-Kemp Administration will return power to the engine of the American
economy -- the American worker. Bob Dole and Jack Kemp will help create higher
wages, higher incomes and more take-home pay for all Americans. Workers will
benefit from the greater productivity of the workforce and the increased
profitability of businesses across America. More Americans will be able to save
and invest in the future.
Source: Bob Dole 1996 Official Campaign Web Site
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