The U.S. unemployment rate increased in August, reaching the highest number since February 2022, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Friday.
“There’s no question about it now: The labor market is weakening,” Alfredo Ortiz, chief executive officer and president of the Job Creators Network, said in a statement.
“August marks the third consecutive month with fewer than 200,000 jobs created,” he added.
“Prior months’ job creation numbers were also massively revised down by 110,000 in a trend that is becoming commonplace. And real wages grew slower than core inflation, continuing the nation’s decline in living standards,” Ortiz also said.
The U.S. economy added 187,000 jobs and the unemployment rate increased to 3.8% in August, the bureau reported.
Payroll employment increases by 187,000 in August; unemployment rate rises to 3.8% https://t.co/ZwrVfLviqL #JobsReport #BLSdata
— BLS-Labor Statistics (@BLS_gov) September 1, 2023
“Given the challenges facing American small businesses, which create two-thirds of new jobs, this labor market weakness is no surprise. Small businesses are facing a one-two punch of high inflation and high interest rates due to Bidenomics,” Ortiz said.
He blamed President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress:
President Biden and Congressional Democrats are directly responsible for this difficult economic environment due to their reckless spending and anti-energy industrial policy.
To overcome these challenges and allow small businesses to broadly hire and raise real wages again, Congress should advance legislation that implements the American Small Business Prosperity Plan, a pro-growth policy playbook that reduces inflation, increases access to credit, and improves the American small business environment.
EJ Antoni, a research fellow for regional economics in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation, also weighed in on Friday’s report. (The Daily Signal is Heritage’s multimedia news organization.)
“Not only is the labor market slowing down, as expected, but previous data was overly rosy in their estimation. Every single month this year has seen its payroll numbers revised down,” Antoni told The Daily Signal in a statement. “It’s difficult to stress how unusual this is as it’s so statistically unlikely. There is clearly something wrong with the estimations being done by President Joe Biden’s Department of Labor.”
Terrible numbers in Aug #JobsReport and it gets worse with the increasingly suspicious "revisions"…
Here's a deep-dive, plain English 🧵 with what you need to know… pic.twitter.com/3Pdba7u1gb— E.J. Antoni, Ph.D. (@RealEJAntoni) September 1, 2023
“While 187,000 jobs were added in August, 59 percent of those were jobs we thought we already had because the previous two months were revised so heavily downward,” Antoni added.
The September jobs report will be released on Oct. 6 at 8:30 a.m., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Article cross-posted from Daily Signal.
Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.
