As we approach the observance of Labor Day, we recognize all of the hard-working Americans, whether they are stay-at-home moms, first responders, or any of the multitudes of workers whose talents we rely on to keep our country strong.

We also think about the Americans who are struggling to make ends meet because they do not have a job or do not have full-time work.

Simply put, the state of the American worker is stressed.

Some of the issues that are causing the stress are the mounting national debt and the lack of a common vision to bring federal government spending under control.

There are also rogue regulations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to place more obstacles on energy production, particularly the use of coal. Individual households are dependent upon affordable energy, and it’s also important to the economy as a whole.

Americans have made it clear that they want the federal government to live within its means and to stop creating more regulations that hinder jobs. On the state level, Ohio has created a common-sense review of all state regulations.

If it is successful, it should bring some relief to Ohioans from outdated and unnecessary rules. Ohio has also repealed the estate tax so that those who work their entire lives will not have to lose what they have earned because of the death tax. Our state has lived within its means, and for this reason, its credit rating has been moved to a higher level—which is a good thing that will make us more able to compete for economic growth.

I want to say thanks to every worker within our region and express hope for those who have yet to find jobs. The private sector, and subsequently the public sector, has taken major hits.

With a bad economy some public servants feel that they are under attack or not appreciated.

Whether you are a laborer, prison guard, emergency worker, educator or support staff, this is not true. You are appreciated and play an important role in our state.

This Labor Day, let us as a nation think of ways to protect the jobs that we have and find ways to bring more jobs to more people by removing obstacles that harm this process.

If the right decisions are made, energy costs are reduced and regulations comply with common sense, maybe next Labor Day the state of the American worker can improve to a less-stressed, more positive sentiment.

John Carey serves in Ohio’s 87th District of the House of Representatives, which includes eastern Lawrence County. He can be reached at (614) 466-1366, by writing to: Ohio House of Representatives, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, or via e-mail at District87@ohr.state.oh.us.