Bush: Under My Plan”People Should Work Longer Hours”

Former Governor Jeb Bush speaks at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) February 27, 2015 in National Harbor, Maryland. Conservative activists attended the annual political conference to di... Former Governor Jeb Bush speaks at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) February 27, 2015 in National Harbor, Maryland. Conservative activists attended the annual political conference to discuss their agenda. Photo by Olivier Douliery/Sipa USA MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

In an interview with the Manchester Union-Leader, the first-in-the-nation primary state’s most-read paper, former Florida Gov Jeb Bush insisted “people should work longer hours”, as a key part of his plan to drive higher economic growth.

The comment is already being treated as a gaffe. But it is actually an accurate if perhaps over-candid explanation of his economic plan, which seeks to combat stagnant or declining wages by getting people to work more hours.

Bush has argued that his economic plan could allow the US to achieve average growth rates of 4% “as far as the eye can see”, a figure most economists believe is unrealistic for a mature economy like the United States. The “longer hours” comment was in reference to the historically low labor force participation rates the United States has seen in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis.

But numerous public opinion surveys and economic studies have shown that US workers log more hours than workers in any other industrial economy. The majority of Americans already work more than 40 hours a week. In fact, a 2014 Gallup poll found that 40% currently work more than 50 hours a week. The average American worked 11 hours per week more in 2006 than they or the equivalent worker did in 1979.

In response to criticism from Democrats, Bush’s spokesperson replied: “Only Washington Democrats could be out-of-touch enough to criticize giving more Americans the ability to work, earn a paycheck, and make ends meet.”

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. After I retired from service to my country I worked for tech firms in the Silicon Valley before leaving high tech to co-found a research company.

    It was common for me to put in eighty hour weeks while on salary plus bonus prior to doing my own thing.

    I’ve no problem with working long hours Jebba, but I think people should be rewarded proportionally for their work. At some point a wage slave tires of simply being a catalyst for the fulfillment of others dreams while being expected to be at the beck and call of clients, upper management and the endless demands of shareholder return.

    I was fortunate to have the wherewithal to make my own way, Not many are.

    And don’t give me any “risk and rewards” crap. I’ve taken risks the likes of which you and your ilk have done your best to avoid.

  2. Bush: Under My Plan"People Should Work Longer Hours"

    Sounds like a winning slogan, ¡JEB!

  3. And he’s the smart one???

  4. And here I had thought I’d never have to utter the words “fuck you, Bush” ever again. Boy was I wrong,

  5. Jeb just lost the election. Goodbye, Jeb.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

208 more replies

Participants

Avatar for alliebean Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for sooner Avatar for marby Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for dave_adams Avatar for thx1138 Avatar for rollinnolan Avatar for teenlaqueefa Avatar for bradbennett Avatar for orthostice Avatar for jinx_tpm Avatar for rev Avatar for borisjimbo Avatar for left_in_washington_state Avatar for dickweed Avatar for darrtown Avatar for mld83 Avatar for emilianoelmexicano Avatar for beattycat Avatar for jinnj Avatar for antisachetdethe Avatar for mpower1952 Avatar for madame_de_farge

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: