Economy Lagging in Key State (Ohio and Battleground States)

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ohio28may28,1,6329695,print.story?coll=la-home-headlines

The recovery might be lifting spirits in other parts of the country, but somebody forgot to spread the word in Ohio.

More than two years after the recession officially ended, the U.S. economy finally seems to be breaking President Bush's way. Job growth has accelerated rapidly in recent months, creating an economic tailwind behind his campaign.

Yet as the president tries to reap the political benefits of the strengthening national economy, he still has a problem in some places: Several of the swing states that could determine the outcome of the election are not participating fully in the revival.

"The recovery hasn't started in the state of Ohio; it really hasn't," said Dick Kelch, president of Ashton Plastic Products in Xenia, where his 30 employees are working 30-hour weeks until business gets better. "I don't know anybody that's expanding. I know guys that are cutting back again and again and again."

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Among the 17 states expected to be most closely contested this fall, four states — Florida, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico — have been thriving since Bush took office. But others are trailing the nation in economic growth and job creation. Four swing states — Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia — are still considered to be in recession 2 1/2 years after the national recession officially ended.

Arizona's economy is "booming" because of housing construction. Houses, houses, and more houses, and to tell you the truth, I don't know where the people who live in them are working, because there sure aren't any "real" jobs moving here. We get retail, retail, and more retail; franchise fast food; nail salons; and lots of health care.

I love Arizona and I wouldn't go back to Indiana for all the tea in China, but the economy here is not the rosy picture some would paint it.

If this is the case.....

There will be no more jokes about Poland,
Ohio-ians and others will have bear that spot from now on.

I hope they sit back and ponder this a while.

We voted for Clinton though. Kerry is ahead here.
I think we'll do alright and vote in Kerry.

:kick: