The numbers are staggering. The impact the oil and natural gas industry has on the U.S. economy is massive. It supports:

• 9.2 million jobs;
• 7.5 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product; and paid
• $95.6 billion in income taxes in 2008

Many state economies also depend on the oil and natural gas industry. For example, in Louisiana alone there are 330,053 oil and natural gas jobs, accounting for more than 13 percent of the state's total jobs. Without the industry, millions of Americans would be out of work, and the United States would lack the domestic energy needed to power the economy.

More oil and natural gas development equates to... more »

Thus far, nearly 170,000 Americans have participated in the Virtual Rally for Jobs. In fact, the online rally has been such a success that it's been extended through the rest of this week (until Friday, October 1).

Among the thousands of rally participants are leaders of various organizations whose members depend on reliable and affordable energy--and many whose jobs are supported by the oil and natural gas industry. In the videos below, they have stepped forward to encourage Americans to get involved.

Karen Kerrigan is president and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, an organization representing roughly 70,000 members. Karen joined the Virtual Rally for Jobs because of the energy industry's importance to America's small business and entrepreneurial sector.

Harry... more »

Over the last few weeks, thousands of energy workers and ordinary citizens--people whose jobs and quality of life depend on access to affordable energy--rallied together to send Congress and the administration a message: focus on reviving our economy and creating more jobs. Starting Monday, thousands more will join them in an online rally, a virtual meeting space for energy advocates.

"Rally for Jobs" events took place in seven cities across the country and provided opportunities for people to voice their concern about proposals in Washington to impose higher energy taxes--a move that could not only kill jobs and impede economic growth, but also hurt U.S. competitiveness abroad and limit our ability to produce the energy this country needs.

Raising taxes, particularly when nearly 15 mill... more »

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 »