In Praise of Labor – Labor Day 09.02.13

[This was submitted to the Valdosta Daily News 08.29.13 as an LTE]

For years I have been hoping to see something in the Valdosta Daily Times on Labor Day that honors and extolls working men and women, as the holiday was intended. Sadly, for years I’ve been disappointed, when nary a word has been written in the paper in praise of labor, and its importance to our community, country and way of life.

Nothing gets done in this world, but that it’s done by a working person. It’s working men and women of every stripe that are the real producers and “makers” in this country, and always have been. It was the labor of working men and women that built this country into the greatest economy the world has ever seen.

Labor Day was established as a national holiday by Congress in 1894, and signed into law by President Grover Cleveland. According to the Department of Labor’s website, “the form for the celebration was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday – a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.” Sounds like a good time to me. When was the last time we had something like this? Maybe we should try it.

Labor Day has been sapped of its meaning in recent decades. Instead, it’s promoted as “the unofficial end of summer.” The three day weekend is mostly celebrated with retail sales and family barbeques. That is, if family members, workers, actually get the day off anymore. As it happens, thousands of our neighbors will be working this Labor Day. They won’t get to enjoy the holiday like most.

So let me give a shout out to all working people: to servers, cooks, dishwashers, maids, landscapers, carpenters, framers, roofers, sheet rockers, electricians, plumbers, farmers, sales people, police, firefighters, teachers, janitors, auto workers, steel workers, miners, truckers, mechanics, stewards, clerks, military, nurses, med techs, IT people, CSRs, field hands, and since I’m running out of breath and space, all the myriad other things workers do to make this economy go. They deserve to be honored, respected, and well compensated for their labor.

When I get off work this Labor Day, and it’s “Miller Time,” I’ll raise my glass and drink a toast to all of you. I hope you will, too. As the Good Book says, “The workman is worthy of his hire.”