Zero! That’s the number of net new jobs created in America last month. The latest jobs numbers released today show that 17,000 jobs were created in the private sector – making August the 18th straight month of private sector job growth under President Obama’s watch – however that number was offset by 17,000 government jobs that were lost – mostly thanks to Republican governors who are hard at work laying off people like teachers. These are the same governors responsible for most of the half-million government job losses since President Obama took office. Also sagging the job numbers are 45,000 Verizon workers who were on strike as the multi-billion dollar corporation wants its workers to pay more for health insurance. The unemployment rate remains at 9.1% - a pretty little number for Republicans who will likely continue their opposition to any sort of jobs plan put forward by the President to put American back to work. As long as unemployment remains above 9% - the Republicans’ chances of winning in 2012 are good – and they know it.