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July 5, 2008 5:07:50 PM CDT

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Dems Push New Aid Package as Job Market Swoons

Posted Apr 5, 08 9:25 AM CDT in Business,  Politics    Editor's Choice

(Newser) – Democrats are calling for another stimulus package to help American workers as unemployment soars, the New York Times reports. Almost 250,000 American jobs have been lost since the beginning of the year—including 80,000 in March—leading one policy expert to say it's time the government switched focus from the housing crisis to the flagging job market.

The job losses are comparable to those in the early months of the last recession, in 2001, the Times notes. The presidential hopefuls were split on the jobs issue yesterday: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton backed the idea of a second stimulus package and an extension of unemployment benefits, while John McCain said lower taxes and less regulation would spark jobs growth. The administration thinks the existing stimulus package will be enough when it kicks in.

Sources New York Times, Associated Press

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A United Auto Workers hall holds a job fair for workers who lost their jobs. Almost 250,000 American jobs have been lost so far this year.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
Job hunters line up to attend a job fair in Ontario, Calif., Feb. 27, 2008. Democrats are calling for aid to help suffering American workers as unemployment rises.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Jobs hunter line up to attend a job fair in California, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. The number of Americans out of work has climbed to 7.8 million.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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US economy  • recession  • unemployment  • job  • economic stimulus package  • job market  • Labor Department


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