The Democratic governor of New Mexico has criticized the Republican-led federal government's progress in helping resolve the problems facing Americans.
In the Democratic Party's weekly radio address, Governor Bill Richardson commended Congress for recently approving an increase in death benefits for soldiers killed in combat, but he criticized the amount of time it took - four months - to pass the measure, which was signed into law Wednesday.
Mr. Richardson said that during those four months, individual states with Democratic governors, including New Mexico, were pursuing measures of their own to help members of their states' National Guard, who also are sent into combat.
On another subject, the governor said wages are falling and that most Americans do not see the federal government doing anything to help them, their businesses or families.
But in the presidential weekly radio address, President Bush said his government's policies have boosted the economy by adding jobs, cutting unemployment and keeping inflation and mortgage rates low.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
