Sunday Thought - September 1, 2013: Labor Day

I thought it might benefit some to reflect on the holiday.  It actually has more meaning than just another day off and the last three day weekend of the summer.  My take on it might open a few eyes, though.  The following information was gleaned from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and direct excerpts are in quotations.

It is the creation of the American labor movement celebrating "the economic achievements American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well being of our country."  A noble sentiment if ever there were one.

I have to laugh each year I find myself celebrating this holiday, and wonder if  any anti-union or anti-socialist disavow the holiday.  For all intents and purposes it is the brainchild of the labor unions (which, I believe, have their root in socialist doctrine).  Even though there is doubt as two which of the two men first proposed the idea for the holiday, both were union men.

Peter J. McGuire was "general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and co-founder of the American federation of Labor."  Mathew Maguire is said to have developed the idea "while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York."  According to the DOL the Central Labor Union adopted the proposal "appointing a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic."

God, knows unions are famous for demonstrations and picnics, so who better to come up with this day for us?

Point being that, while I munch down on your ears of corn, ribs, burgers, or those cholesterol ridden torpedoes called hot dogs, I remember the day.  A day brought to us by the same unions that have destroyed the economy of our country by guaranteeing all of our products are overpriced, and that jobs are sent overseas where the labor is cheaper.  I'd like those without jobs to think about this while they are attending a picnic this Monday, or if they can't afford to have one.

I would like to think that the Department of Labor is not a lap dog for the unions.  I would like to think that. 

Every time Boeing or airline workers go on strike, driving up the price of our tickets and baggage costs I wonder when I'm going to have to give up air travel all together.  I'd like to thank the labor in this country, and I do.

I thank all of those people that are not union.  I'd like us to remember, today in worship, and tomorrow during the celebrations, all of the non-union people that struggle to make this country a better place without constantly driving up the prices of everything we purchase and without driving our jobs into the hands of some poor schmuck in New Delhi instead of leaving it here at home.

Remember, as always, this is just my opinion.  I invite you to share yours.

Enjoy the day, this beautiful Sunday.  Enjoy, also, the festivities of tomorrow and celebrate all you have done, or will do, to make this the greatest country to live in. 

I already have a cooler of beer with ice in it ready to go!

God bless us all and God bless America!