Do Americans Need To 'Work Longer Hours'?

09:52

July 13, 2015

Republican Presidential candidate Jeb Bush speaks to the press at the 4th of July Parade in Merrimack, New Hampshire. (Kayana Szymczak/Getty Images)

Republican presidential hopeful and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has been getting a lot of criticism after a comment he made last week to the New Hampshire Union Leader, arguing that Americans need to work longer hours to improve the economy.

"My aspirations for the country, and I believe we can achieve it, is for 4 percent growth as far as the eye can see," Bush said. "Which means we have to be a lot more productive. Workforce participation has to rise from its all-time modern lows. It means that people need to work longer hours and through their productivity gain more income for their families. That's the only way we are going to get out of this rut that we’re in."

Derek Thompson of The Atlantic joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson for a closer look at Bush's idea.

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Guest

Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic. He tweets @DKThomp.

This segment aired on July 13, 2015.