Obama warns against "second gilded age" in calling for ethics reform in Washington

[jefferson_dem]

Source: AP

Obama warns against "second gilded age" in calling for ethics reform in Washington
The Associated Press
Monday, July 30, 2007

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa: Democratic U.S. presidential contender Barack Obama accused the administration of President George W. Bush on Monday of pandering to the wealthy, creating what he called "a second gilded age" that ignores working families.

In a speech at a school named for Theodore Roosevelt, Obama cited the former president in calling for ethical changes. He said he would ban aides who work in his administration from dealing with issues involving former employers, and from lobbying for two years after they leave the administration.

Obama said he chose Roosevelt as an example because he took office at a time when wealth was concentrated in a very few hands and because he earned his reputation by going against the rich.

"It was an era known as the gilded age," Obama said. "Theodore Roosevelt decided not to play along."

He said the policies of the Bush administration have taken the United States in that direction.

"We can't settle for a second gilded age," Obama said.

<SNIP>

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/30/america/NA-POL-US-White-House-Obama.php