Wesley Clark on Jobs

NATO General; Democratic Candidate for President

Unions should refocus from grievances to career development

We must chart a new path for labor in America and for the Union movement itself. While workers still need help in redressing grievances against management, perhaps the old dividing lines make less sense in an age of high technology, social and geographic mobility and global competition. Is it possible that unions could become the development agencies for workers, protecting their rights, but also promoting their training, education and career development throughout a lifetime of many different skills and jobs? We know that in today’s economy, every American in the workplace must take increasing responsibility for his or her own development of skills, pursuit of opportunities, and creation of financial security for the family. Why not allow unions to play a role of some importance in these areas as well? Source: A Time To Lead, by Wesley Clark, p.256 Sep 4, 2007

Raise minimum wage in steps to $7.00

Q: What increases, if any, do you favor in the $5.15 an hour federal minimum wage?

A: I will raise the minimum wage in steps to $7 per hour by 2007 and expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to ensure that lower-income families are rewarded for their work

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Minimum Wage” Jan 25, 2004

Stop rewarding companies that shift jobs overseas

Stop rewarding companies that shift jobs overseas:

Stop tax breaks for companies that move overseas for tax reasons. Wes Clark would close outrageous loopholes in the tax code, like the ones that allow companies to avoid taxes by shifting income to Bermuda.
“Buy American”: As President, Wes Clark would strengthen America’s manufacturing base by developing “Buy American” guidelines for defense and other government procurement.

Deny government contracts to firms that move headquarters overseas for tax reasons or shift substantial numbers of US jobs overseas. Wes Clark believes that companies should not be rewarded for moving their headquarters to overseas tax havens or shift substantial numbers of US jobs abroad. As President, he will look for ways to make certain these companies are not rewarded with government contracts. Source: Campaign website, Clark04.com, “Manufacturing Security Plan” Nov 25, 2003

Will support unions and a fair living wage

Standing up for workers and unions will be one of my highest priorities. I support raising the minimum wage - and ensuring that it keeps pace with the cost of living. I’ll push for a “card check” law, requiring employers to recognize unions once a majority of workers have indicated their intent to unionize. The government should set a good example for all employers by paying fair wages and benefits. I support increased funding for OSHA. Source: Campaign website, Clark04.com Nov 20, 2003

Better job plan in 8 days than Bush made in 3 years

American business is the source of jobs and opportunity in this country. We need to look very carefully at how we create positive incentives for business. And we need to go right at the jobs problem in this country.

I’ve got a better job plan in eight days than George Bush had in three years in this country, and it will work, it’s significant, and we need to concentrate on creating jobs here.

Source: Debate at Pace University in Lower Manhattan Sep 25, 2003

Create best business environment, to create 1M jobs per year

Every year, this economy must create more than a million new jobs, just to maintain the same levels of employment, and to reduce unemployment to the levels achieved under Clinton, we must do much more immediately. We should aim to create in America the best business environment in the world-using a variety of positive incentives to keep American jobs and businesses here, attract business from abroad, and to encourage the creation of new jobs, principally through the efforts of small business. Source: Campaign website, AmericansForClark.com, “100 Year Vision” Sep 18, 2003

If labor assists with trade, minimum wage hikes will follow

Labor must assist with improve the business climate in the US and empowering more international trade and finance. Labor can assist by promoting the attitudes, skills, education and labor mobility to enable long overdue hikes in the minimum wage in this country. Source: Campaign website, AmericansForClark.com, “100 Year Vision” Sep 18, 2003

Jobless recovery: need policy to create 1.3M jobs per year

At home, we’ve got a jobless recovery. We’ve lost 2.6 million jobs since this administration took office. Just to maintain the same level of employment in America, we have to create about 1.3 million jobs a year. So, the statistical unemployment rate, it doesn’t really address what the problem is that Americans are feeling out there. There are millions of people who aren’t in the labor force. There are other people who are employed, but they’re underemployed in terms of their skills. We’ve got problems. Source: CNN Late Edition interview with Wolf Blitzer Aug 17, 2003

Millions are unemployed and underemployed

The statistical unemployment rate doesn’t really address what the problem is that Americans are feeling out there. There are millions of people who aren’t in the labor force. There are other people who are employed, but they’re underemployed in terms of their skills. We’ve got problems. Source: CNN, Late Edition interview with Wolf Blitzer Aug 16, 2003

Business growth makes jobs instead of outsourcing

Companies that can’t raise revenues are companies that are cutting expenses by outsourcing jobs. In order to create jobs, we don’t want to change our labor market. What we want to change is the environment in which businesses can grow. We want small businesses to have opportunities for job creation, for growth, for investment, for development. We want to strengthen the ability of this country to create jobs. That’s through the capital markets. It’s through tax incentives where necessary. Source: Speech to the New Democratic Network Jun 17, 2003

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