The fact is, the American economy managed to churn out 96,000 jobs last month, according to the latest labor Department report. It was enough to tamp down the unemployment rate from Julys 8.3 percent to 8.1 percent.

Consumer-driven health care is here to stay. Even if its coming of age has been somewhat lethargic, theres no denying each and every one of us will have to step forward and manage our own care just as you would in any other consumer-vendor transaction.

Charlie Chaplin once said, Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.

Hunt Turner, Broker on Record

Another week, another study, survey or whatever that sounds the death knell for employer-paid health planslike some kind of ragged medieval prophet gnashing his rotted teeth in the town square as he limps around in circles crying about the end times.

Enrollment season will be here before any of us know it, but way too many employees remain woefullyif not embarrassinglyin the dark about their benefit offerings. And its certainly not for a lack of information.

Being in Massachusetts this weekand drunk on so much rich political historyhas forced me to stagger back and take a broader look at the November election.

It's (not) all about the Benjamins anymore. Or if it is, it's certainly about much more than a simple paycheck.