— Work is great. Most of us need it.

It brings financial rewards, it brings purpose to our lives, it shapes our days and provides a sense of accomplishment.

Rest from work is great, too. As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes: “The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much.”

If this Labor Day finds you employed with a day off, enjoy the day.

If it finds you at work, sorry.

Either way, be glad you have a job.

Too many are without employment today. This economy has been tough, with job growth anemic at best.

Employment has increased, but by only 1.4 percent between December 2010 and December 2011, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

And studies by the Federal Reserve Board show median family income dropping as well.

Muskogee has had its own labor issues this year, with the city non-uniformed employees union dissolved by the city, then voted back in by workers. The issues involved affected city council elections this year.

Regardless of where you stand on unions, issues of jobs and the economy are key in this election year.

Poll after poll show jobs and the economy are the top issues for Americans.

We need to hold candidates’ feet to the fire and get clear answers, not platitudes, on these issues.

And we need to vote for the candidates whose answers we can trust.

The U.S. Department of Labor says Labor Day is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.

It honors contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

But it is harder to celebrate when so many of us don’t have jobs and when those who have jobs are watching our incomes fall.

"Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased."



– Adam Smith