My daughter asked this morning why “we call it Labor Day.” An answer to this question prompted a follow-up question.  Why do we celebrate Labor Day?  A comment my husband made, as part of his response, really struck me.  We’ve never really “celebrated” Labor Day.  I mean, it’s a day off (during those times when Michael has had a job that operates based on the calendar).  The banks and post offices are closed so we can’t complete our business.  But that’s about it.  We haven’t owned a grill until about a month ago, so we’ve never even cooked out!  But maybe it’s time we began to truly celebrate this holiday.  Why?

With the expansion of socialism within our government, the “working man” is minimized.  In a traditionally American, capitalist society, the individual who works hard reaps the benefits of that hard work.  In a socialist society – which our government is very rapidly attempting to force upon us – the one who works hard reaps no real benefit.  The fruits of his labors are “equally” divided; those who have been downright lazy get to enjoy just as much of these fruits as the one who earned them (and anyone/everyone in between).

The government functions as a sort of huge industrial computer, working out by complex algorithms who has the right to what money, food, and health care.  And you can bet that algorithms do not designate to the average “working man” the same benefits that the political (non-)representatives enjoy!  (You can also bet that the average person cannot understand the algorithms by which benefits are designated.  Consider the IRS.)

Perhaps it’s time we started to really celebrate the working class, diligent labor, and the benefits to our entire society of allowing workers to enjoy their just rewards.