Governor Dean Says Report on State of Young Americans Under Bush Underscor

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Governor Dean Says Report on State of Young Americans Under Bush Underscores Need to Get Involved

DES MOINES--On Saturday November 1, the non-partisan Center for Economic Policy and Research released a report titled 'Hard Times in the New Millennium: The fate of youth in the Bush years.' The report found that the young people of our country have faced particularly 'dim prospects' since President Bush took office.

"The Bush administration's policies have not been friendly to young Americans, leaving too many without a job, without health insurance, without a college education, and without hope," Dean said about the report.

The report found that the unemployment rate for 18-30 year olds was over 9% in the first half of 2003, nearly double the rate for older Americans. Nearly one-third of young Americans went without full-year health care insurance in 2002. Governor Dean's plan for health care is built upon a proposal to provide health care insurance to all Americans under 25.

"The fate of our country lies in the next generation of young Americans. This report underscores why young Americans must get involved in the political process. Their future and the future of America depends on their decision to get involved and help change Washington," Dean said.

The Dean For America campaign launched Generation Dean, it's official youth outreach organization, in order to reach out to and involve millions of young Americans who care passionately about changing their country. Generation Dean is now the largest youth outreach campaign in this election -- with young professionals, high school and college grads, and members of the work force all included in the effort. In fact, through the Generation Dean website, over 800 groups and nearly 20,000 members have self-organized in all 50 states and several foreign countries.

"Our campaign is about reengaging people in the political process, and Generation Dean is thriving because thousands of Americans are making the decision to stand up and be counted," Dean said. "They can make the issues of young Americans a priority, because we cannot afford to leave behind a whole generation of Americans."

To see the full report from the CEPC, visit http://www.cepr.net/stateofnationsyouth.pdf.

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