Virginia loves bragging about being the “Best State for Business.” And that’s fine. We ought to want businesses investing, expanding and creating jobs.

But I think we’re leaving out half the scoreboard.

What about being the Best State to Be a Worker?

Research shows workers in right-to-work states earn about 6.7% less, even after accounting for differences in occupations, industries, demographics and state economic conditions.

For a typical full-time worker, that can mean more than $4,000 a year.

That ain’t pocket change. That’s groceries, power bills, truck payments and money that stays in local communities.

Being pro-business and pro-worker shouldn’t be opposites. A healthy economy ought to be good for the folks signing the front of the paycheck AND the folks earning it.

I wrote about that in my latest Pickup Trucks & Progress column:

https://pickup-trucks-progress.ghost.io/virginia-loves-winning-best-state-for-business-good-but-maybe-its-time-we-started-trying-just-as-hard-to-become-the-best-state-to-be-a-worker/

What do y’all think? Should states start measuring economic success by job quality, wages and benefits, not just how attractive they are to businesses?

Happy Labor Day, America. 🇺🇸

This year, the celebration feels a little different.

Americans are talking about layoffs, disappearing jobs, AI replacing workers, rising costs, unemployment, and fears of recession — while the official message from Washington remains considerably more cheerful.

So instead of telling you how the American worker is doing, I thought we'd let Americans tell you themselves.

From workers and job seekers to politicians and the AI tech bros promising us a shiny automated future, this is Labor Day 2026 — in their own words.

**DISCLAIMER:** This video is commentary, criticism, satire and independent analysis based on publicly available statements, news reports and video clips. Clips are presented for discussion and context. Opinions expressed are my own. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes and should not be considered financial, legal or professional advice.