Democrats will have to work alone

By Ro Chapman, Henderson

Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 | 9:20 a.m.

When George W. Bush took office, unemployment was 2.4 percent, and 1.1 million jobs were created during his eight years in office. When he left office, unemployment was 7 percent, which did not include the new high school and college graduates who were faced with no job opportunities. Barack Obama inherited the Great Recession, which was the worst our nation faced in 75 years. We were losing 800,000 jobs monthly.

This administration reversed the path the country was taking and prevented a train wreck. The private sector has added upwards of 9 million jobs in 54 consecutive months.

The president had proposed a budget to support job growth and expand economic opportunity, which was not considered by the Republican do-nothing majority in the House. The GOP has blocked any attempts to raise the minimum wage or extend unemployment benefits, as well as blocking a bill for veterans benefits.

We still have a lot of work to do for the middle and working class. The Democrats realize they will have to do this alone, as the GOP has made it clear that they will do nothing but obstruct efforts to improve things.