Although today is a holiday, the staff here at The Western Word has been busy this weekend looking for political news to share with you. We’ve got you covered!

Happy Labor Day 2011!  Today is the day that we honor the working men and women of the United States – the people who make this country go.  Thank you.  After reading this column, you’ll have something to talk about when you’re eating that burger or hotdog at the local union picnic!

This Labor Day there are about 14 million people registered as unemployed.  There are about 9 million people who are working part-time jobs looking for full-time work.   There are about 2.6 million people who are not counted because they stopped looking for work and their benefits have run out.

Today we talk about Congress’ vacation ending, being a leader, free picnics, the Bullock poll, Rick Hill and the Supremes, wolf-wolf with Denny and Jon, an upgrade and much much more!

They’re Back…

Congress returns to work this week after a five-week vacation.

Be very afraid…but at least they are not out on our streets…

Be a Leader, Max…

The Billings Gazette Editorial Board tells Max Baucus that he “needs to be leader on Super Committee.”

And they were not joking…

Results of the “Bullock” Poll…

The Great Falls Tribune asks a question of the day and on Friday they asked a question about people (like Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock) raising campaign funds but not announcing for which office they were running.   Here’s the question:  “Do you think people should be allowed to raise money before announcing the office for which they’re running?”

354 voted.  76% said NO and 24% said YES.

People were a little sour on Bullock in the comment section, too. Not a great way to kick-off your campaign for “some” office…

Rick Hill and the Supremes:

The Associated Press reports that former Congressman and candidate for governor Rick Hill “is among those leading a group of investors alleging they were cheated out of millions in a real estate investment deal, a group that will be asking the Montana Supreme Court later this month to let them take the dispute to court.”

I doubt the liberal Montana Supreme Court will rule in conservative Hill’s favor…

Tester Speaking (and eating) in Great Falls:

Politicians are known for attending picnics and barbecues.  The folks in and around Great Falls will get to hear U.S. Senator Jon Tester speak at the at the 29th annual free Labor Day picnic in Great Falls – which is mostly attended by Democrats.

But since the food is free, there may be a lot of Republicans and Independents in attendance, too, because unemployment reaches across party lines…and you can’t turn down free food.  By the way, President Obama is spending his Labor Day in Detroit.

Jon Tester on gridlock…

Speaking of Senator Tester, he recently did an interview with the Missoulian about gridlock in Washington.  He said about the gridlock, “People were willing to put the country into a depression. What does that do to the deficit?”

It seems everyone who serves in DC feels it is someone else’s fault that the country is in such sad shape?  Look.  In.  The.  Mirror.

Wolf Wolf:

Lee Newspaper reporter Mike Dennison looks, once again, at the wolf issue with this headline in the Missoulian: “Both Rehberg, Tester can claim some credit for wolf management changes in Montana”

I am thankful he got to the bottom of this major issue.  Hopefully Tester, Rehberg, the Montana Republicans and the Montana Democrats can stop fighting about it and work on important things –like our economy and the unemployment situation.

Great Falls Airport Wants an Upgrade:

The Great Falls Tribune reported in Sunday’s paper that the Great Falls International Airport wants to do some upgrades ($5-6 million) to “make the Electric City an easier and nicer place to fly from.”

I like the “upgrade” ideas – but I have one other suggestion: Maybe they can work on upgrading the members of Great Falls International Airport Authority Board next…

Two Jobs:

The Associated Press reports that “In 2010, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming all had more than 7 percent of their workers holding down two jobs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The national average was a little under 5 percent according to the U.S. Census Bureau.”

Times are tough all over folks…except for…

The 50 Wealthiest Members of Congress:

The 2011 list is out for all to see.  You can see who made it HERE.  To make the list you need to be worth about $6.2 million.

Have a great Labor Day!  Don’t forget to follow The Western Word on Twitter @TheWesternWord