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Politicians love to brag --particularly now that they are printing money and putting future generations trillions of dollars deeper in debt -- about how much they have done to improve our local, state and national economies. They know the truth, however: Government's role -- a substantial one, to be sure -- is limited to two behaviors:
Our city councils, state legislatures and Congress can keep our taxes as low as possible -- or they can add to our burdens.
And government can work to keep the regulatory burden as minimal as practical for all employers -- or it can bog us down with red tape.
Today is Labor Day, set aside to recognize the engine that keeps the economy humming -- American men, women and often, teenagers who go to work every day, producing the food we eat, the cars we drive, the electricity upon which we rely and everything else upon which we depend, 24/7.
Labor Day 2021 is somewhat different from past years, where we looked at the unemployment rate and asked our officials to create an environment where employers would be willing to add jobs.
This year, we continue to fight a battle over getting enough people to enter the job market, as the economy is rolling as we continue to emerge from COVID-19
Consider:
Ohio County's unemployment rate, as of July, was 4.6%. Marshall County stood at 5.4%.
To our south, Wetzel and Tyler counties -- where high unemployment rates have become common over the past few years -- have rates for July of 5.8% and 6.8%, respectively, lower than has been seen in those counties for some time.
What's interesting is that even with the low unemployment rate, there are still many jobs available. Look at the food service industry -- many are having trouble filling available openings.
Just who do we celebrate today? Those we depend on to keep our country moving ahead. Here's who they are:
They are the truck drivers who sometimes spend weeks on the road, away from home and loved ones, ensuring our store shelves are stocked.
They are the teachers who dedicate their lives to making those of our children and grandchildren better.
They are the factory workers who focus day in and day out on making the best razor blades, hammers, computers, lawn mowers, kitchen appliances and ten thousand other products.
They are the men and women who work hard in blistering heat some of the time and in frigid cold part of the year to keep roads passable and water flowing from our taps.
They are men and women who strap on pistols when they go to work to protect and serve us, while their families pray they will come home safe.
They are health care professionals who often work under the pressure of making life-and-death decisions.
And yes, they are the teenagers who serve us our hamburgers.
They are our fellow Americans working in a thousand other jobs not just to make ends meet, but to achieve the true American dream -- better lives for their children. Each and every day, including holidays, they make our economy work.
Today, then, let us pause to reflect on the real greatness of America: those who provide the labor that is the foundation of any economy.
For those who have the day off, it will be back to the job tomorrow. But for today, enjoy the break -- and don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back.
You earned it.