President Obama spent his Labor Day in Milwaukee, announcing big plans for the nation's infrastructure. The plan begins with an initial investment of $50 billion of taxpayer money, followed by increased spending over the next six years. It aims to build or repair 150,000 miles of roads; 4,000 miles of rail and 150 miles of airplane runways.

Former labor secretary under President Clinton, Robert Reich, says the Obama administration should take over BP’s operations in the Gulf of Mexico until the oil well is plugged, comparing it to the government’s takeover of the carmaker GM last year. In a blog post on his website, he writes that this would ensure that “the firm would unambiguously be working in the public’s interest."