Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is fast approaching, and like many Americans I would normally just spend the day sitting on a beach or lazing around the pool.  

I will not post on Monday as it is a day of rest and even though this blog is a labor of love, it is still a labor.

So in the tradition of observing the holiday I wanted to take a moment and wish all of you who stop by today a Happy Labor Day and I hope all you enjoy it.  For those of you who are not so fortunate to have the day off, well I hope Monday still turns out to be a great day for you too.

The US Department of Labor tells us "labor day is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.  It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well being of our country."  

I disagree, I believe that Labor Day was created to pacify an American work force that was unhappy with working conditions and the reining president of the day needed to do something to get the country back under control.

Today more Americans than ever before are facing lay-offs and unemployment lines.  Normally my postings would not be so somber, but this year with the economic down turn being what it is and some of my friends, and co-workers facing similar possibilities I could not just pass this off as a day of celebration.

One of the great strengths of our country has been in it's ability to rally and rise from the ashes.  We have seen this on numerous occasions, so while I have no doubt we will rebound, my heart hurts today for the thousands of men and women across this great nation who are faced with similar circumstances. 

So this year I salute the men and women who have dedicated their lives to building this country.  The blue collar workers who have worked in the trenches, who have stood a post and who have picked up the trash.  The men and women who never believed that any job was beneath them and that is was enough that they lived in the land of the free.  I hope as a country we can get back to that again.  To a time when baseball, apple pie and hot dogs were the norm for keeping up with the Jones and not the idea that everyone had to have a McMansion.

Today I salute each and every one of you and I hope Monday is a good day for everyone.

Happy Labor Day.