Let Them Eat Prozac
What's the Bush administration's plan for improving the job market during its second term? Here's some inside information:

A campaign worker for President Bush said on Thursday American workers unhappy with low-quality jobs should find new ones -- or pop a Prozac to make themselves feel better. Why don't they get new jobs if they're unhappy -- or go on Prozac?" said Susan Sheybani, an assistant to Bush campaign spokesman Terry Holt. The comment was apparently directed to a colleague who was transferring a phone call from a reporter asking about job quality, and who overheard the remark. When told the Prozac comment had been overheard, Sheybani said: "Oh, I was just kidding."

Looks like Susan might need some Prozac soon.

As a reminder of what's happened so far during this Bush administration, the DNC has released some talking points:

1) JOB LOSS: Bush is 7 million Jobs Short of His Own Prediction. Annual projections in the 2002 Economic Report of the President implied 6 million new jobs between January 2001 and June 2004. Instead, we have lost 1.1 million jobs. As a result, we are 7 million jobs short of the prediction which President Bush made after 9/11, the tech bubble, and the recession. [BLS and Economic Report of the President, 2002]

2) DRUG PRICES: A May 2004 AARP study of 155 brand name drugs found that average prices have increased 27.6 percent over the past four years, compared with a general inflation rate of 10.4 percent. [AARP, "Trends in Manufacturer Prices of Brand Name Prescription Drugs Used by Older Americans, 2000 Through 2003, May 2004, research.aarp.org]

3) UNINSURED: Since George Bush took office, there are now 3.7 million more Americans who lack health insurance with a total of 43.6 million Americans not covered. [US Census, Current Population Survey, 2002]

4) MENTAL HEALTH PARITY: In April 2002, Bush promised to support legislation to ensure the mental health coverage is offered at the same level as physical health concerns. But after the tragic death of its chief champion in the Senate, Paul Wellstone, and nearly two years of Republican control of Congress, Bush has failed to make any effort to see the legislation enacted. [National Journal, 5/4/02; Roll Call, 3/17/03; Star Tribune, 10/24/03]