Puffs

Puffs

“Labor Day.”

It’s interesting . . . a day set aside to “not labor.”

But so many people actually put in a lot of hours of work in spite of the day being a holiday.

I never really thought the day was intended to just give people a day off of work, but that it was intended to “Honor” those who do the manual labor in our country.

Remember the year 1882 and consider the following:

“Rooted in the labor movement of the 19th century, the holiday originated during a dismal time for America’s workers, who faced long hours, low wages and unsafe working conditions. As labor unions and activists advocated and fought for better treatment for workers at the height of the Industrial Revolution, the idea arose to establish a day dedicated to celebrating the members of trade and labor unions,” according to History.com.

Organized by the Central Labor Union, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882 in New York City, according to the labor department. On that day, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square.

It was a time period when labor unions grew because labor was being abused with long hours of work, often not safe and wages were low. The Unions did a lot to help the workers and Unions went on to become a problem of their own in some cases.

It seems that “Capitalism” today is far from what many imagine when talking about economic systems. True Capitalism might be a harsh economic system to live under, but both the labor unions and the government have instituted so many rules and regulations that “True Capitalism” seldom exists anywhere in the world today.

Socialism is the opposite of Capitalism and most people identify it with Communism.

Most everyone has heard or read about the evils of Communism that includes forced labor, death and leaders are not elected by the people, but acquire power in ways not commonly known in a free society.

Yes, there are socialist societies in Europe and Canada, but who would like to live in those countries?

I made a note to remember the year 1882. It is a year well remembered by some.

Now, while the labor unions were busy helping the workers, many of whom died from industrial accidents while working, who was helping the workers’ families when there was no wage-earners alive?

Back in 1882, usually the male head of a household was in the workforce and if he died, the family would usually go from an ‘average’ household to a very poor household, often being forced into poverty conditions and all that entailed.

Well, at that time there was an Irish priest that saw the damaged done to families when the wage-earner died and he was determined to help the women and children left behind when the wage-earner was killed.

That is when and this is the reason why the Knights of Columbus came into existence. The men in a Catholic parish in Connecticut and their parish priest, Father Michael McGivney, set out to assist widows and orphans and came up with the organization called: “The Knights of Columbus.”

The Knights of Columbus donate more time, labor and money to help care for people suffering from everything to having a parent die to victims of disasters. For example: the KC’s were the first to contribute to the First Responders who perished helping other at 9-11 and just a week or so ago, they were the first to donated substantially to the victims of the fire in Hawaii.

Although both have changed somewhat in the past 141 years, both still have the same aim, the protection and safety of both the worker and the families involved.

A O

I may be wrong, but if you would have told me 40 years ago the Democratic political party of today leans so far towards the socialist societies we see in Europe, I would not have believed you. The Democrats seem to be trying to enact so many “regulations” and “rules” in so many aspects of our society, that we can hardly live without breaking some law, someplace.

I was out today (Labor Day) in the center of Lawrence, Nebraska, and found absolutely nobody around. Everyone seemed to be home enjoying whatever it was they wanted to do. I’m sure the farmers were working, but Main Street and Highway 4 had nobody on them.

Happy Labor Day . . . belated, but still sincere.

A O