Labor Day

[The_Blur]

GENERAL WARNING: Any political commentary that is reported or observed in this thread will result in warnings or bans. If you can't handle the content of this thread, stay out. I'm going to say some things in here that you might not enjoy. The "too-long" version—we celebrate because businesses were bad long ago and workers organized to fix that. This is not a simple political debate. This is a celebration of those hard-working Americans that keep American running. Do not make this thread about anything else.

It is my hope that every American reading this is enjoying a quality day off. Labor Day is borne of the hard work of the enterprising American people, not the sale of mattresses or the fire-grilled burgers our fathers made for us. Let us recount the story of the enterprising American.

For ages, historians have argued whether military prowess or economic welfare more pivotally establish a nation's place in world affairs. The correct answer is too obvious for such one-sided discussion. Both are essential. The Romans did not rise to power without blacksmiths making weapons, nor have the Americans risen to hegemony without the strong backs of American labor.

Those strong backs supported America through booming growth during the Industrial Revolution. A revolution it was. With a sudden spark of ingenuity, all of the Western world quickly developed new technology. The brilliance that produced locomotives, gunpowder, mills, and factories also produced incredible wealth for those landlords and already powerful elites who owned the rights to this technology. Those too poor to own worked for others. Were this a hundred years earlier, we would call them peasants.

Competition was fierce. Each company in every industry demanded greater market share. Before governments regulated monopolies, they persecuted their people. The pay was poor, sometimes in money that was not legal tender. That money could be redeemed for company-sponsored goods and services only, like dorms and food. Productivity determined hours, and productivity requires hours of labor. In the fight for monopoly, each company demanded more hours—more work—and that required more time by each worker. Pollutants filled the air. Workers lacked protective equipment. Injury and poverty were so common that even these tired workers found time to gather and seek resolution.

Companies justified their behavior with capitalistic principles. If someone did not wish to work there, then it is up to them to find somewhere else to work; however, monopolies limited the prospect of finding other work, and workers rarely received the education necessary to rise above their struggle. Born into poverty and forbidden from school before reaching the age of 10, many children worked to keep their families out of debt. No amount of hard work could overcome this. Corruption ran deep. While the ideal of capitalism is rich with opportunity and wealth, that reality is reserved for those already possessing the resources and connections to get there.

Workers did want to become rich. They still do. I still do. It is not a celebration of the rich worker or the level playing field. The field is still not level, although today hard work does pay off. That is why we celebrate. We celebrate because the workers of 100 years ago gave us a society in which hard work does pay off. We still have work to do. We still have those who suffer poverty despite their hard work. We still have unfair workplaces and wronged workers.

Back then, workers organized, protested, and picketed businesses. The uproar led to change. New regulations limited the oppressive behavior of greedy business owners. Now, business owners still want to make money, too. That is their right, but they cannot force their workers to suffer incredible hours without compensation. Compensation must be paid in legal tender.

The United States is a strong country supported by the hard-working American. We exist as world power because some are willing to fight but many more are willing work. Today recounts the struggle of those Americans and their fight for recognition. Today, we recognize them.

[crabapple]

I applaud you Sir!!!! Nicely said.....Indeed!!!!

[mickss]

To all those who came before me, who sacrificed for fairness in the work place and in some cases died to allow me to earn a fair days pay for a fair days work, to allow me to work in safety, to buy the things we all desire to have for ourselves and our loved ones, to retire with dignity and security with my health assured and intact. We can never repay you enough for what you have done for us...THANK YOU, THANK YOU and THANK YOU again!!!

[MXR]

To all labor , Thanks .

From John , Pipefitter Local UA 26 Western Washington .

[ssrs2lt]

agree, cheers and hats off to those who stood up!

[JAX CAMARO]

Thank you for this great reminder, it is a shame that many have no idea why we have these well earned holidays and things just turn into a day off and the reason's are forgotten.

[SummitWhite1LE]

Happy labor day to all my union brothers and sisters.

Ibew local 1 St. Louis