Congressional Candidate John Stephen Criticizes Congress For Over $4,000 Pay Raise While Economy Falters, Unemployment Increases

MEDIA RELEASE                                              CONTACT: For Immediate Release                                             Greg Moore January 17, 2008                                       (603) 568-8159 (cell)
Congressional Candidate John Stephen Criticizes Congress For Over $4,000 Pay Raise While Economy Falters, Unemployment Increases
MANCHESTER, NH- Manchester Republican John Stephen today criticized Congress for recently taking a $4,100 pay raise at a time when the national economy is showing signs of weakening.  Yesterday, a US Department of Labor report showed that inflation increased by the largest amount in 17 years, 4.1%.  At the same, unemployment jumped to 5% in December, showing the largest one month increase since 2001.  For American workers, inflation adjusted wages dropped by 0.9% in 2007.
        "At a time when our economy is teetering on the brink of recession, for this Congress, which has done nothing to improve the economy, to pat itself on the back and give its members a raise of over $4,000 is outrageous," said Stephen.  "American workers are losing jobs and wages are not keeping pace with inflation, and this Congress is debating how to pass the ‘Mother of All Tax Increases' and how to put more regulations on businesses.  While this Congress' list of accomplishments is almost non-existent, they should start following the doctor's creed of ‘First, do no harm.'  The last thing this economy needs is more taxes, more deficit spending and more reasons for companies not to create jobs.  If Congress is going to get a raise, they should do some work to help the economy first."
      Stephen noted that the declining value of the US dollar has led to increased inflation, as products from overseas have become much more expensive for consumers.  The increased costs have led to a drop in retail sales, which, if continued, will mean even fewer jobs.  He said that any plans to stimulate the economy should not be one-time efforts, but long-term efforts focused on growth throughout the economy.
       "The best way for the federal government to help to strengthen the value of the dollar is by stopping the unsustainable deficit spending we have seen over the past five years of more than $1.5 trillion," Stephen noted.  "Next, Congress should look not to quick fixes to help the economy, but a model of sustained growth.  That means meaningful tax reduction and reform, particularly in areas that produce good, high-paying jobs, like the capital-gains tax, regulatory reform and controlling spending."
       John Stephen is the former Commissioner of Health and Human Services.  Prior to that position, he served as the Assistant Commissioner of Safety, where he also served as the state's first Homeland Security Coordinator.  Stephen also served as a prosecutor for 10 years, in Hillsborough County and as an Assistant Attorney General.  He is a Manchester resident.