Washington, Nov 6 - Despite the Administration’s claims that the purported economic stimulus package would create jobs immediately and prevent the unemployment rate from rising above 8 percent, new figures released today from the Department of Labor show the unemployment rate rising to 10.2 percent, the highest rate in over 26 years.  For the month of October, 190,000 jobs were eliminated, increasing the total number of unemployed persons looking for work to 15.7 million.  In addition, when taking into account the number of underemployed and discouraged workers who have been unable to find adequate work, the rate soars to 17.5 percent.  On top of these alarming statistics, the Democrat Majority continues to move forward with their government-run health care bill, which would impose a 5.4 percent surtax on small businesses and a payroll tax of up to 8 percent on employers who fail to provide health care coverage that is deemed acceptable by the government.  Considering that well over three million jobs have been lost since the enactment of the so-called stimulus, Congressman Miller opposes placing these job killing taxes on our nation’s small businesses.  He believes firmly that real economic recovery starts with tax relief for small businesses and working families and by restoring fiscal discipline in Washington. 

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