Matheson Gets Tough on Bush
Congressman Jim Matheson had some harsh words for President Bush and the Republican congressional leadership Monday during a radio program on KCPW program commemorating the 40th anniversary of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics.
Matheson, Utah's only elected Democrat in Washington D.C., participated as a caller to the program that featured former Hinckley directors J.D. Williams, R.J. Snow, Ted Wilson and current director Kirk Jowers.
Matheson said he strongly disagrees with Bush's decision to suspend the Davis Bacon Act during the rebuilding of New Orleans and other areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. That act requires that workers on federally funded projects be paid the equivalent of the average or prevailing wage in the area.
The issue is a big one, naturally, for organized labor which was such an integral ingredient to the success of the Democratic Party until its influence has seemed to wane in recent years. But Matheson's comments may be a signal to Democrats that labor issues once again should be emphasized, particularly in an era when retirement and health benefits are being scaled back and worker incomes have stagnated.
The new chairman of Utah's Democratic Party, Wayne Holland, comes from organized labor.
Matheson also criticized the growing deficit under the Bush Administration and said funds for the renovation will come from more debt spending. He said neither Bush nor the Republican leadership in Congress has shown any inclination of paring the deficit and the nation's debt is being purchased by foreign investors.
Matheson's words may be a welcome relief to Utah Democrats who have criticized him in the past for being too conciliatory to the Republican president. Matheson has survived three elections in a predominantly Republican district.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
Matheson, Utah's only elected Democrat in Washington D.C., participated as a caller to the program that featured former Hinckley directors J.D. Williams, R.J. Snow, Ted Wilson and current director Kirk Jowers.
Matheson said he strongly disagrees with Bush's decision to suspend the Davis Bacon Act during the rebuilding of New Orleans and other areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. That act requires that workers on federally funded projects be paid the equivalent of the average or prevailing wage in the area.
The issue is a big one, naturally, for organized labor which was such an integral ingredient to the success of the Democratic Party until its influence has seemed to wane in recent years. But Matheson's comments may be a signal to Democrats that labor issues once again should be emphasized, particularly in an era when retirement and health benefits are being scaled back and worker incomes have stagnated.
The new chairman of Utah's Democratic Party, Wayne Holland, comes from organized labor.
Matheson also criticized the growing deficit under the Bush Administration and said funds for the renovation will come from more debt spending. He said neither Bush nor the Republican leadership in Congress has shown any inclination of paring the deficit and the nation's debt is being purchased by foreign investors.
Matheson's words may be a welcome relief to Utah Democrats who have criticized him in the past for being too conciliatory to the Republican president. Matheson has survived three elections in a predominantly Republican district.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
12:55 PM
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