Labor Day Laborers
September 7th, 2009. Filed under: Monday's Musings.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this event was created by labor union leaders to honor the social and economic achievements of American workers. The first celebration was first held on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. Since 1884, Labor Day has been the first Monday in September. 
The U.S. DOL states
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.
Labor Day is no longer that tribute. Today it is a long weekend and a paid day off work. It’s a day for picnics, grilling out and enjoying family and friends. Some places still have the parades and speeches, but that’s going by the wayside. No longer is the U.S. big on production and manufacturing. We’ve let other countries take over and pass us.
Now that we’re in a recession (sliding into a depression), we need to be able to manufacture more of our products. The decrease in easily available oil, wars around the world, emphasis on the so called “climate warming” and multiple other factors make it more difficult to abide our disposable economy.
We need to focus more on once again producing durable goods for our consumption. Will the labor be more expensive than that overseas? Yes. Will it take as much fuel and other expenses to get to the consumer? No. It will probably balance itself out. Are we willing to once again turn into a nation of laborers? It’s questionable.
September 8th, 2009 at 03:37
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
September 8th, 2009 at 04:33
Thank you. It was a good one.