August 28, 2008

It's the economy

The economic struggle facing America's working families has grown to a crisis that demands center stage in the Presidential contest.

Census data released this week show that in 2007 - what should have been the peak of an economic expansion - real, inflation-adjusted incomes for most working Americans were lower than they had been in 2000.  As the New York Times editorialized, "Economic growth alone will not cut it for most American families. The benefits must be shared more broadly."

CPI's analysis of the data for San Diego County revealed stagnant earnings, a huge gap between rich and poor, and almost 800,000 people living in economic hardship.

And that was last year.  We don't have to wait for the 2008 data to know that the picture has become even bleaker, as working families battle a perfect storm of wildly rising prices, record-high unemployment, and a catastrophic collapse of the housing market.

The official poverty rates don't begin to tell the story.  

Darlene Roby is one of many workers who aren't officially poor but are slipping farther behind the harder they work.  Roby is a home care provider for three elderly women in La Mesa. She has no health insurance and hasn't had a raise in six years.  In debt because of medical bills, she sleeps on a friend's couch.

Christine Gonzalez is a groundskeeper at UCSD, married to a groundskeeper for the Port District.  Barely getting by paycheck-to-paycheck on their combined income, they are putting off having children because they can't afford any more expenses.

Watch videos of both these workers telling their stories on the CPI website.  Take a look at our 4-page report on the economic state of our county, and check out the media coverage.


Garamendi to outline a green and healthy economy

The CPI Speaker Series is bringing Lt. Gov. John Garamendi to San Diego for a conversation about protecting the environment and improving the economy with solid middle-class jobs and healthcare for everyone.

Garamendi will speak at a lunch sponsored by CPI and the City Club of San Diego on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivera Way, San Diego, CA 92109.  Tickets for the lunch and program are $25, or $20 for members of CPI* or City Club.  Reserve your tickets now!

* Become a CPI member with any size donation you can afford. Save on your ticket to see John Garamendi and help support all our work!