Not So Happy Labor Day

As many Americans pack up for Labor Day weekend getaways, this morning’s jobs report showing that the national unemployment rate ticked up to 9.6 percent in August is a stark reminder that the 2.2 million Californians and 14.9 million Americans who are currently unemployed have nothing to celebrate on Monday thanks to Barbara Boxer’s failed policies in Washington. Despite Boxer’s promise that the taxpayer-funded stimulus package would deliver “help and hope,” Americans across the nation continue to struggle to find jobs.

  • Los Angeles Times: “The nation’s jobless rate worsened slightly last month, edging up to 9.6% from 9.5% in July, the government said Friday in a report that had little for workers to cheer about this Labor Day weekend.” (Don Lee, “Unemployment Rises Slightly In August To 9.6%,” Los Angeles Times, 8/3/10)

  • Jobless Rate Could Rise To 10 Percent In Coming Months. “[H]iring has now been weak for four straight months. That deprives consumers of cash and reduces their ability to spend. Analysts expect economic growth to be tepid for the rest of this year and the jobless rate could keep rising to 10 percent or more in the coming months.” (Christopher Rugaber, “Companies Add 67K Workers, But Jobless Rate Rises,” Associated Press, 9/3/10)
According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers”—a worthy tribute, indeed. Barbara Boxer, for her part, will be celebrating the holiday with the likes of SEIU, the AFL-CIO and other Big Labor advocates. Not all that surprising given the fact that they’ve lined her war chest with millions of dollars in campaign contributions over the years.
  • Over Her Career, Boxer Has Received At Least $1,651,341 In Organized Labor Contributions, Including At Least $327,350 In Contributions To Her 2010 Campaign. (Center For Responsive Politics Website, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 9/3/10)
But if you’re one of the more than 2 million Californians who are still looking for work, Labor Day feels a whole lot like every other day of the week when you don’t have a job to go to.