Labor Day

Labor Day! Whoopee! That wonderful day created to give everyone a three day holiday from that crappie job they secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) hate. For parents everywhere, it's the "official" start of the school year and chance for some peace and quiet, not to mention actually getting something accomplished around the house. Maybe one last cookout and pool party before closing it for the year. For kids, it supposed to mark an end to summer and one last outing to the lake or beach or some overpriced theme park. It also means only 60 more days to CanDay...err...Halloween...and...hey... that means just 120 more days to Debt Day...err...Christmas, followed shortly thereafter by Remorse Eve, also known as New Year's Eve or for some, "Amateur Night", and then we get to start all over again! For many adults, Labor Day also means the end of dieting until next January and no more trying to fit into those ever shrinking swimsuits (also known as "why-bothers"---kinda like lite beer if you think about it) and finally actually getting to eat something and covering it up with sweaters and heavy coats.

Isn't that what Labor Day is supposed to be about? Just simply another date on the calendar marking another day to buy something as part of our capitalistic "cycle of life"? You know, when we're suppose to forget about the petty and trivial meaning of the day, and instead go out and spend money we don't have for...for what exactly? Frankly I'm not sure, but I imagine Hallmark has a card for it whatever it is. But since Labor Day is at hand, let's take a look at it.

Labor Day. Well, it really isn't the last day of Summer. That's actually September 21st according to the Farmer's Almanac. And the first day of school? Well, no. For most kiddos that started about a week or two ago. And is there's really some reason why, when the temperature outside is still in the 90's and most of us are walking around in shorts and sandals, that we need to see faux autumn leaves lining store aisles amid Halloween costumes on one side and Thanksgiving decorations on the other side? I even saw a Christmas ad recently. A Christmas ad! Seriously? Anyway, I digress. Sorry. I was about to start talking about Labor Day (...Christmas...geez).
Aside from sales, Labor Day is supposed to be a day for us...ordinary working men and women. While most of the world celebrates May 1st as the "International Day of Labor", Americans, always a little different, decided that the first Monday of September would be a day celebrating the American labor movement. Labor Day itself was first promoted by the Knights of Labor and the Central Labor Union following the Haymarket Massacre, which had initially begun as a protest for an eight hour work day and in reaction of the killing of several workers the day before by the local police, in Chicago on May 4, 1886. It ended with deaths of approximately 11 individuals and the wounding of around 130 others. Then President Grover Cleveland (D-NY) vetoed the idea of an official labor holiday on May 1st (socialism was very much alive and popular), and decided to go with the day put forth by the Knights of Labor.

This was but one instance when the struggle for worker rights, including the 40 hour work week, safe working conditions, laws protecting child (child labor was especially notorious in Pennsylvania, West Virginia Kentucky, and other parts of Appalachia where kids as young as 9 routinely went to work in the coal mines), worker's compensation, holiday pay, a livable day's wages, equal rights, and so forth was still in its infancy. Labor, at the time, was strongly influenced by the concept of guilds brought over from Europe and was heavily promoted by various socialist groups, as well as political anarchists (especially among recent Irish, German, and Eastern European immigrants), women's rights and child welfare groups, and other similar human rights organizations. The core concept being that those who added value to businesses by the sweat of their brow were just as important as those who added capital; a concept that has not changed despite changes in technology. Remember, this was the era of the Robber Barons; of Carnegie, Mellon, Gould, Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and later, to Ford and other industrialist. Work could be, and often was, brutal and dangerous.

Today, we have numerous federal and state laws protecting employees, such as paying overtime, limiting hours worked, proper conduct

by employers, safe working conditions, even offshoots like food inspection, processing, and preparation, the Civil Rights Movement, Women's Equal Voting Right, safe highways and roads, pensions, and air safety. And yes, the 40 hour work week and three day holidays like Labor Day! But we're facing other forms of worker disenfranchisement such as off shoring jobs to avoid paying decent wages and/or benefits. Some companies have laid off employees or simply opted to close. Unfair wages, with CEOs making 354% more than the average employee! According to Bloomberg, CEO salaries have increased 1000% over the pay of average workers since 1950. Even burdensome "Obamacare" instead of a single payer form of healthcare like most country's have, with the costs being transferred to individuals in the form of higher premiums or indirectly by picking up the tax.

Today, we have some unions working almost hand-in-glove with companies against the very employees they're supposed to represent; insuring workers toe the company line and keep off the strike line. Union corruption, long a problem since the 1930's, remains a problem today as some union bosses attempt to control elections; making unions virtually their own fiefdoms. Many unions bosses earn just as much as their corporate counterparts, which just isn't right. We have unions pushing for amnesty for illegal immigrants. Why? Because they expect most will join easy entry low paying mostly union jobs and that will boost the revenues in the union coffers. Outside of public sector jobs, unions are virtually non-existent in the private sector; 36.8% vs. 7.6%. In fact, the majority of union members are 45 and older--9% are at least 65--and mostly male (13.4% vs. 11.4%).

Of course with the decline of unions, beginning around 1954, the middle class has declined, which should tell you that companies don't, own their own, pay decent wages. Sill, according to a August 31, 2011 Gallup Poll, 52% of Americans support unions, though a poll taken a week later indicated that 55% believed that unions would continue to become weaker. Interestingly, 48% of Democrats thought unions would become weaker while 58% of Republicans and 57% of Independents did. Not surprisingly, 78% of Democrats supported unions while only 28% of Republicans did. 52% of Independents supported unions as well. 42% of Americans would like to see unions have a lesser role, while 30% wanted a great influence and 25% was happy where it is. 69% of Republicans would like to see unions have less influence compared to 42% of Independents while on the other hand only 45% of Democrats wanted unions to have a stronger influence. Interesting, especially when one considers the overall opinions of the public's opinion of the two main political parties has continued to plummet; the majority of people are now Independents---approximately 45% (the GOP had 23% and the Democrats had 29%. However, 40% leaned Republican while 42% leaned Democrat). In fact, in a October 2013 Gallup Poll, 60% of those surveyed said we needed a third party! Astonishingly, 81% of your fellow Americans rarely or never trust the federal government according to Gallup.

So, what does this all mean? Well, it means we're all grateful for everything organized labor has done for us, but we don't appear to confident that unions can do anything else, and at the same time, we're far less confident in government and in the two political parties can produce positive changes. As a whole, we're basically liberal leaning. Perhaps what's needed is a union based political party like most democratic countries have, or even better, independent pro-labor candidates. Recently, 12 independent unions candidates won local elections in upper state Ohio; something the status quo corporate media didn't widely report. Geez, I wonder why? So, while we munch down on those hotdogs and chips and pondering the extinction of the Middle Class; our declining economic wellbeing; or the latest sale at some discounter, be sure to give a kind word of "thanks" to any union folks you know or come across while you're out shopping. Overall, Labor has proven to be Americas best bargain.


The Labor Movement
http://www.ilwu19.com/history/labor.htm

Labor Unions in the United States
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_unions_in_the_United_States

Share of the Work Force in a Union Falls to a 97 Year Low, 11.3%
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/business/union-membership-drops-despite-job-growth.html?_r=0

Ohioans Elect Two Dozen City Councilors on Independent Labor Ticket
http://labornotes.org/2013/12/ohioans-elect-two-dozen-city-councilors-independent-labor-ticket

CEO-to-Worker Pay Ratios Around the World
http://www.aflcio.org/Corporate-Watch/Paywatch-Archive/CEO-Pay-and-You/CEO-to-Worker-Pay-Gap-in-the-United-States/Pay-Gaps-in-the-World

CEO-to-Worker Pay Ratio Ballooned 1000 Percent
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/30/ceo-to-worker-pay-ratio_n_3184623.html

Black Friday/Christmas Tree Tax/Shirts or Skins?/Religious Tolerance

Black Friday: The High Holiday of Capitalism

Well, here it is, Black Friday; the high holiday of Capitalism. Thanksgiving got the usual short thrift again this year, stuck as it is between the "Candyween" and
"CreditcardMas ". I guess I can't really blame anyone. After all, it's pretty tough trying to commercialize a tradition of giving thanks for family and friends. Where's the money in that? Besides, Thanksgiving is mostly a food oriented day, punctuated with excessive eating and football, followed by food induced comas (nothing says "thank you" to the All Mighty like overindulgence and a 7 point spread).

I guess what I object to the most is all the Christmas hype. This year I saw my very first commercial (I kid you not) the week before Halloween. Now seriously, in October? There should be a law prohibiting any promotion of a holiday before the preceding holiday. For example, no advertising of Thanksgiving (as if that's going to happen anyway) before Halloween. No Christmas commercials, TV specials, sales or anything else until the day after Thanksgiving. Now doesn't that make more sense? Let's give each holiday its proper due and respect (not to mention our frantic nerves and credit cards a break).

Money Growing on (Christmas) Trees?

Speaking of Christmas, did you hear the latest about Christmas trees? Obama had originally agreed to sign a law applying a 15 cent tax on every fresh cut Christmas tree sold. As if that wasn't outrageous enough, the reason was even more outrageous. According to the Agriculture Department, the tax would apply to all "producers and importers" of 500 trees or more. The USDA went on to say that this new program, and its tax was for the benefit of the Christmas Tree Promotion Board. Now just what is the Christmas Tree Promotion Board you might be asking yourself about now? Well, let me tell you.

The Christmas Tree Promotion Board is a private association of Christmas tree growers who are feeling the stiff competition from the manufactures of artificial Christmas trees (I wonder if there's an Artificial Christmas Tree Promotion Board?). Seems that the board was needing some help getting its message out about the splendors (and smells) of having a fresh Christmas tree in every living room in America. Apparently unable to obtain voluntary cooperation from within the group, they turned to the USDA.

However, after much ridicule, both the Obama Administration and the Agriculture Department agreed that now wasn't a really good time talk about taxing a Christmas tradition and withdrew the program until a more appropriate time (like when the public isn't paying as much attention). Now, just why the federal government is even considering a tax on behalf of a private organization for the benefit of their advertising and PR costs is beyond me. I can only assume that Hannukah bushes are exempt.

For more on the story, check out:

White House Sidelines Christmas Tree Tax

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/09/merry-christmas-agriculture-department-imposes-christmas-tree-tax/

Shirts or Skins?

America, The Land of Free and Home of the Brave right? Well, maybe not. This past May 5, 2011, the Morgan Hill United School District near San Francisco decided to promote the Hispanic heritage (May 5th is the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo). However, some students decided to wear shirts celebrating America. Now, a reasonable person would see no problem with this. However, the principal of Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill ordered those students to either go home and changes shirts or turn their shirts depicting the American flag inside out. As you would expect, a ruckus ensued and the matter went to court.

The previous year there had been some taunts over articles of clothing by both Hispanic and non-Hispanic students. A Mexican flag was hoisted over an American flag. It was shortly taken down by "Anglo" students amid chants of "USA", but it seems that the point was made.

This year, it was decided to honor Hispanic heritage by encouaging Hispanic student to take an extra bit of pride by wearing articles of clothing while the school system modified its curriculum south of the border and even the school cafeterias got into the act with a Hispanic cuisine (if you can call school lunches "cuisine"). The school ordered the offending "Anglo" students to change out of concern that their shirts would result in possible violence while the parent's of those students argued 1st Amendment rights.

Federal District Judge James Ware agreed with the school system that the non-Hispanic students didn't have a right to wear articles of clothing reflecting America, nor by extension, reframe from participating in programs prompting Hispanic culture. The decision is being appealed.

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday celebrating a victory of outnumbered Mexican forces over a larger and better equipped Imperial French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The chief signifcance of the battle was a major moral boost to the beliggered Mexians trying to purge themselves of the French and preventing the French from extending their support of the Confedercy during the early days of the Civil War (The French, under Emperor Napoleon III was attempting to create a Latin Empire and at the same time supported a divided America. If successful, the French would be able to lay claim to much of the southwest territories. As an aside, the English and the Vatican also supported the cause of the South).

There can be no arguing that Cinco de Mayo is, albeit indirectly, tired to US history. It was certainally a victory for national freedom. However, there can equally be no argument that events in 1848 Germany or the Louisana Purchase from France or Alaska from Russia were just as important events to this country. Indeed, more so. The same came be said for over events such as the British attmept to starve the Irish off their land and the resulting Irish Famine immigration. The point is that we are a multi-culturial nation and we each have a reason to be proud of our ethnic hertitage. But, we've come to this land to "form a more perfect union" as a united people with a common language, traditions, and values. To acknowledge a certain ethnic hertitage is fine in my opinion so far as it does not do so at the exclusion of other ethnic groups. To punish students for expressing their common hertiage as Americans is wrong by any measure. Might there be taunts or even violence? Yes, it's possible. However, what's at stake here is two fold. First, that no ethnic group is above another. All must submit itself to an identity as Americans. Second is the fundimental right of self expression as guarenteed under the Bill of Rights. That one group would be offended demonstrates that more time needs to be spent on American history.

To learn more, check out these two articles:

Court Backs High Schools in Flap Over American Flag T-Shirts

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/13/court-backs-high-school-in-flap-over-american-flag-t-shirts/

Court backs Morgan Hill school in flag dispute

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/11/BA2N1LU0HC.DTL

Just How Much Religious Tolerance Are We Talking About?

Finally, I just had to tell you about this one. Moslems attending Catholic University in Washington DC are miffed that there are crosses on the campus. So miffed in fact, that a lawsuit was filed. Moslem students are citing a violation of their human rights, and alleging that the university will not allow them to form a student association, provide rooms without Christian symbols or provide Halal meals. They allege that they are forced to prayed amid Christian crosses, icons, and pictures.

The university said it had no objection to the forming of a Moslem student association, acknowledging that there is a Jewish student association on campus, and it has been as accommodating as possible, but does not offer specially prepared meals.

The absurdity of this is almost comical if it wasn't so illustrative of what is happening in this country. If you don't want to be around Jewish or Hindu or Christian or Moslem religious symbolism, then don't go there. While they may not have a choice in their home countries, this nation offers individuals the choice of where they can attend school. Although I am not Catholic, I opted to attend Catholic universities for my undergraduate and graduate degrees because of the quality of education I knew I would receive. If I though I would have an issue with priests or nuns (or the required religious curriculum) I would have opted for another school, but I was open to learning about another faith and getting a top tier education to boot.

My suggestion to these students is either suck it up and get on with their education from an outstanding university or go elsewhere. I'm sure the same accommodations already afforded them wouldn't be afforded non-Moslem students in their home countries. Be grateful you're in America.

Here's the article:

Do Crosses at Catholic University Violate "Human Rights" of Muslims?

http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/muslims-want-catholic-school-to-provide-room-without-crosses.html