COLUMBIA, S.C. — The unemployment rate in South Carolina rose nearly half a percentage point in October, returning to a record level of 12.1 percent set earlier this year, the state agency that calculates the rate said Friday.

The Employment Security Commission also said it had revised September's rate up 0.1 percentage points, to 11.7. Nationally, South Carolina's unemployment again ranked fifth-highest in the country, behind Michigan (15.1), Nevada (13.0), Rhode Island (12.9) and Colorado (12.5), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

South Carolina's 12.1 percent, which tied the state's record unemployment first reached this summer, marked a decline after several months of relative stability.

O.K. So, we're back at summer's levels. Fifth-highest in the land.

How important is 2010 again, people? Important enough to get out of double-digit jobless numbers? Important enough to stop wasting time on fears and untruths?

If we end up with Republican rule in this state in 2010, thank yourselves for putting yourselves under the gun - and out of jobs, out of health care and out of money.

Now more people have begun looking for work again, though many without success as construction and manufacturing continued cut backs, said Sam McClary, labor market analyst for the S.C. Employment Security Commission.

Still nearly 1,100 jobs were added in October from September. The biggest increases came from temporary agencies as well as government with more school-related hires and retail where stores began holiday season hiring ramp-up, McClary said.

Hey, Lynn Mueller. That letter you wrote to President Obama. Do you want to send another, stating you now know that small businesses aren't enough to support the revival of our economy? That the state needs manufacturing and industrial jobs as well? I'll let you decide.

Retail stores will cut those jobs after the holidays -seeing the potential of a dismal season - to cut costs.

No, there is no small-business savior plan to help rejuvenate our state's economy.

But the state job count is down 60,500 from a year ago and down nearly 95,000 than Dec. 2007 when the recession began.

Republicans, you control the state. Have so for decades. To blame a president with less than a year in office shows how stupid people can be. Republican governor. Republican state Senate. Republican state House. Tax give away/holiday to any business. All this going on for more than 10 years. 5th highest national unemployment rate.

Explain this to the people, without the federal government rhetoric.