As Fisher Endorses Democrats’ Multi-Trillion Dollar Health Care Takeover, Ohio’s Unemployment Continues To Rise

Friday, 20 November 2009 15:50

In the News

With a health care vote in the United States Senate scheduled for tomorrow night, Ohio Democrat Senate hopeful Lee Fisher today announced his strong support for his colleagues’ $2.5 trillion government health care takeover.

In a campaign fundraising solicitation sent to his supporters, Fisher urged U.S. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) to support the legislation, claiming "this reform bill will finally provide nearly universal access to quality, affordable care."

As Fisher attempts to convince Buckeye State voters he deserves a promotion to the Senate, it’s worth keeping in mind three important and related numbers:

10.5 percent: That is the October 2009 unemployment rate in the state of Ohio, according to preliminary numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics today. Since Fisher enthusiastically endorsed the trillion dollar stimulus package more than nine months ago, the unemployment rate in his state has steadily risen, from 9.5 in February to 10.1 percent in September to its current number.

$1.42 trillion: The federal budget deficit for 2009 alone totals $1.42 trillion - a number higher than the total national debt for the first 200 years of the United States. During the month of October 2009, the deficit increased by $176.4 billion, setting another all-time record.

$100 million a day: While Fisher’s would-be Senate colleagues brag that their health care bill "reduces the deficit by $130 billion over the next decade," they leave out the fact that interest payments on their so-called stimulus bill total $347 billion over the next decade - an average of $100 million a day.

"Unfortunately for Ohio, the federal deficit has soared to record highs and the state’s unemployment has steadily risen under the Democrat leadership in Ohio, and Lee Fisher has promised to continue that pattern if he makes it to Washington by serving as another rubber stamp for Harry Reid and President Obama’s failed economic agenda," said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson Marchand.

"As Ohio families, seniors, and small businesses struggle through this economic downturn, Fisher is now endorsing another costly bill after backing the failed stimulus debacle," Wilkerson Marchand continued. "Fisher’s continued support of the misguided legislative agenda of Democrats in Washington will be a major factor should he receive his party’s nomination for next year’s Senate race in Ohio."

Background Information

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Was 9.5% In February 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Was 10.1% In September 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Rose To 10.5% In October 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)