Last week, Barbara Boxer was in the Central Valley touting the success and effectiveness of the economic stimulus plan in saving and creating jobs in the region. Just one teeny tiny problem: the Central Valley has been especially hard hit by our state’s unemployment crisis, and Boxer’s Election Year rhetoric rings a little hollow in the face of 15 percent plus unemployment.
But hey, don’t take our word for it. Here’s what the Merced Sun-Star had to say about Boxer’s visit:
Merced Sun-Star: “U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who is up for re-election this year, made a quick campaign stop in Fresno … She told of her strong record on job creation in California. But it seems to us the Valley is the wrong place to be patting yourself on the back for creating jobs.” (Editorial, “Why Recovery Hasn’t Come To Valley,” Merced Sun-Star, 7/10/10)
“Merced County Has Been Hardest Hit By Foreclosures And Unemployment In California.” (Editorial, “Why Recovery Hasn’t Come To Valley,” Merced Sun-Star, 7/10/10)
Approximately One-Fifth Of The Working Population Remain Unemployed In Merced County. “Despite the county’s unemployment rate dropping in May to 18.1 percent compared to 19.8 percent in April, nearly 20,000 people remain unemployed. That’s roughly one-fifth of the working population.” (Editorial, “Why Recovery Hasn’t Come To Valley,” Merced Sun-Star, 7/10/10)
Carly, on the other hand, has spent considerable time in the Central Valley talking with local leaders about the challenges facing the region and gaining a better understanding about what it will take to grow the local economy. She has consistently called for common-sense policies – things like prioritizing families over fish and restoring water flow to the Central Valley, cutting taxes and paring back the thicket of regulation that gets in the way of small businesses’ ability to grow and succeed.
But until we get Carly elected to the U.S. Senate, the Central Valley can expect little more from our state’s junior senator than more hot air, more rhetoric, more government spending…and not enough jobs. That bites.