The Rally for Jobs in Joliet, Illinois, was a reminder of the can-do spirit that is emblematic of America's Midwest. The event exuded patriotism, pride, perseverance--the hallmarks of the 1,000 union members as well as business and industry leaders who took a stand for jobs and the economy at the Pipefitters Training Center.

Among those who participated in the rally were Mike Ditka, the legendary Chicago Bears football coach; Jim Cornelison, the vocalist who sings the National Anthem at the Chicago Blackhawk hockey games; and national and local union leaders representing the blue-collar workers who have built America. Standing before the podium facing the crowd were veterans who recently received training as welders. You'll see them in the video below.

Rallies for Jobs were held in fiv... more »

In today's episode, I report on the Rallies for Jobs held this month across America where energy workers, business leaders and consumers voiced their concerns about jobs, economic growth and affordable energy.

Use the audio player below to listen to information about the article and follow along with the show notes. I hope you find the podcast informative.

00:32 You're listening to Ray Benson, the Grammy award-winning country-music singer, who recently performed at the Rally for Jobs in Farmington, N.M. The Farmington event was one of several rallies held in five states where Americans from all walks of life gathered to voice their concerns for jobs and the economy. The largest rally was held in Houston, Texas, where more than 5,000 people--many of them energy... more »

"Welcome fellow patriots," one speaker shouted as he moved toward the podium during the Rally for Jobs in Farmington, N.M., today. He was greeted by a loud burst of applause from the estimated 600 people who crowded into the McGee Convention Center. From the outset, it was apparent that the rally attendees were fired up about federal and state policies that threaten jobs and could raise energy costs during the worst recession since The Great Depression. Many offered tales of woe about friends and neighbors who've lost their jobs, haven't been able to sell their houses and who are facing the worst financial times of their lives.

"I've never seen anything like it," one senior told me as he signed an open letter to New Mexico's members of Congress. The letter, which was posted on a large boar... more »

Plans are underway for upcoming rallies to be held in Canton, Ohio, on September 7 and Farmington, N.M. and Joliet, Ill., on September 8. In the meantime, check out the video below from yesterday's kick-off rallies in Texas.

Thousands of America's energy workers attended the rallies in Houston, Port Arthur and Corpus Christi, and many expressed their sincere concern for America's energy future.

Rallies are being held in five states during September. More information is available on the Rally for Jobs website.