Jeb Bush may be leading in some of the recent polls, but he seems to build a little momentum and then take two steps back by saying something odd, loopy, or just downright stupid.
And that’s exactly what he did at a forum in New Hampshire earlier this week. Bush said that if elected President the American economy would have an annual growth rate of four percent. Bush added that in order for this to happen:
“We have to be a lot more productive.”
We already have the most productive workforce in the world, but we have to improve on that, Jeb? Who are we going to surpass in this category if we increase productivity? Ourselves?
While he was telling workers what they will be required to do if he were to become leader of the free world, Bush also said:
“Workforce participation has to rise from its all-time modern lows…People need to work longer hours and through their productivity gain more income for their families.”
Oh yes, what a capital idea! Instead of working 4o hours a week, let’s all strive for 50, or 60, or even 80! Come on, fellow Americans, we can do it! The only question would be this: If we all work more hours, when will we spend time with our families? Aren’t Republicans always harping on the importance of strong families?
DNC spokeswoman Holly Shulman perfectly summed up just how such statements make Bush look:
“It is easily one of the most out-of-touch comments we’ve heard so far this cycle. Jeb Bush would not fight for the middle class as president.”
No, he’d be far too busy helping the Koch brothers and Halliburton further enrich themselves.
When asked by reporters to clarify or expand on his comments, Bush got a tad testy and replied:
“You can take it out of context all you want, but high sustained growth means people work 40 hours rather than 30 hours and that by our success they have disposable income for their families to decide how they want to spend it rather than standing in line and being dependent upon government.”
That sounds a bit like the “47 percent” comment that Mitt Romney made in the 2012 election which sealed his fate as a candidate. But Bush dug the hole further, attempting to place the blame elsewhere:
“If anyone is celebrating this anemic recovery, then they are totally out of touch. The simple fact is people are really struggling. So giving people a chance to work longer hours has got to be part of the answer. If not, you are going to see people lose hope — and that’s where we are today.”
And saying that proves how little hope Bush is willing to offer anyone other than the rich cronies who fund his campaign.
This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org.