Ending Poverty in America, by John Edwards: on Jobs

Strong unions can make services foundation of middle class

We must build an economy that values work. That means guaranteeing workers a meaningful right to organize. With strong unions, service jobs can be the foundation of the middle class, as manufacturing jobs once were. That means raising the minimum wage, which in 2006 reached its lowest point since 1955.

Some willing workers cannot find jobs without skills, experience, or references. We know that innovative programs can help these workers. And we know--because we have seen it work--that the government can create short-term jobs to serve as stepping-stones, helping people work their way out of poverty now and get the experience they need for better jobs in the future.

Source: Ending Poverty in America, by John Edwards, p.260-261 Apr 2, 2007

The above quotations are from Ending Poverty in America How to Restore the American Dream, edited by John Edwards, Marion Crain, and Arne Kalleberg. Click here for definitions & background information on Jobs. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by John Edwards on Jobs.
*Candidates and political leaders on Jobs:*
*Incoming Obama Administration:* Pres.:Sen.Barack Obama V.P.:Sen.Joe Biden State:Hillary Clinton Staff:Rahm Emanuel Treas.:Tim Geithner DoD:Robert Gates A.G.:Eric Holder DHS:Janet Napolitano DoC:Bill Richardson	*Outgoing Bush Administration:* Pres.:George Bush V.P.:Dick Cheney A.G.:John Ashcroft(2005) DEA:Asa Hutchinson(2005) USDA:Mike Johanns(2007) EPA:Mike Leavitt HUD:Mel Martinez(2003) State:Colin Powell(2005) State:Condoleezza Rice HHS:Tommy Thompson(2005)	*2008 Presidential contenders:* AIP: Frank McEnulty Constitution: Chuck Baldwin GOP: Sen.John McCain GOP VP: Gov.Sarah Palin Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney Independent: Ralph Nader Liberation: Gloria La Riva Libertarian: Rep.Bob Barr NAIP: Amb.Alan Keyes Socialist: Brian Moore
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