It may look like the economy is on the rise, but the United States did not create a single job in the manufacturing sector during the month of April. While other sectors—such as the service sector—are doing well, more than 10,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost over the past few months. Without these jobs—known for keeping small towns afloat during times of economic crisis—whither the middle class? The Nation’s Washington correspondant John Nichols joined Ed Schultz to discuss the necessity of good, union jobs for maintaining the middle class.

Be sure to also check out John Nichols discussing the failures of austerity measures on WPR and another interview with Senator Bernie Sanders on the importance of keeping the focus on the growing gap between the wealthy and the poor rather than scandals in Washington.