One should only work in order to provide for one's needs. Not work soley for the sake of working. When did mankind decide the purpose of life was working so you could accumulate more crap than the other guy? You can't take any of it with you when you die. Even if you leave enough money behind so someone can build a huge memorial on your grave, that really doesn't benefit you very much does it?

Says it all. I recall archeologists unearthing the body of a Roman slave. Examination of the bones showed that the man had done heavy physical labor until his joints wore out. He died old, at age 37. Nothing changes, eh?

In most countries around the world Labor Day is celebrated on May 1 except, that is, in the United States where American politicians might have been fearful that to have held it on that day might put the word revolution in the minds of too many working class people in this country.

Am finally reading "Lies My Teacher Told Me," by J.W.Loewen. Chapter 7 starts with this quote by that radical socialist, Abraham Lincoln:
"Labor is prior to, and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration."

Donna, thanks and very well put. I know we've had disagreements and I probably came off a bit too harsh on you and I apologize for that. If there's at least one thing you and I can agree on, it's this. Any country that lacks a good health care system will never have a strong labor backbone. It's no coincidence that this same country leeches off the labor of other countries that have some kind of a universal health care for all. Strong defense begins with health care. It's too bad that this empire can waste all the money and resources created insider disasters and wars but won't even use it for public good. You have a strong compassion for labor and health and you did what you could on your part so I wish you a Happy Labor Day for all your efforts.

This indeed is where we are. There is a direct way out. This Labor Day I humbly invite all my Common Dreams friends to entertain a proposal for radical action centered on the one power we truly have---our work.
http://jackdempseywriter.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/woop-we-the-workers-of-the-world-walk-out-on-profit/

You dig the ditch
To get the money
To by the bread
To get the strength
To dig the ditch

"We are tools of their American dream"

We are simply "human resources", no different from a wrench, a pair of pliers, a drill press, a chunk of iron ore, all easily replaceable when finally worn out or used up.

Work ‘till you drop. Stop. Drop. Get up. Do it again. Work 'till you drop. Die.

Capitalism akbar!! Capitalism akbar!! Capitalism akbar!!

As we begin to wrap our minds around the scope of the tabloid media on this labor day a song in unity with Brit "Causes" (Liverpool folks who have refused to buy the Murdoch garbage) as reality begins to float across the Atlantic

Billy Brag "Causes never buy the Sun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBh2oAvsSSc

Jackson Browne:

I'm going to rent myself a house
In the shade of the freeway
Gonna pack my lunch in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I'll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I'll get up and do it again
Amen.
Say it again
Amen.

I certainly hope you wrote this on your own time, Donna.

And that everyone whose employer's Internet-blocking software still allows access to this article it is reading it on their own time.

Otherwise, we're going to have to dock your pay and write you up-- provided we don't fire you outright for Stealing Time. Now you know why we don't pay double time on holidays any more!

Oh, and Happy Labor Day!

LABOR DAY 2011
T’is a day that carries a connotation of something that should bring a smile, a quickening of the blood for a gathering of family and friends to celebrate a time of rest from what is called “earning a living”. This seems fair since management and companies get paid 24/7 all year.
25 million, at last count, have no reason or chance, for any of the amenities listed above and may, not even have an abode to lay the head or heads of entire families. There is greed and avarice afoot in the land and wars in perpetuity that suck out the lifeblood of any peoples where fear reigns.
This then is a HOLLOW DAY for the many who have a body, with some type of covering, and probably others dependant on, and looked to for their wellbeing. A man, calling himself a leader will, today, spin a few tales and then fly home to his mansion and pat himself on the back and Detroit’s poor and poorer will still have nil, nada, nothing, shit. A HOLLOW DAY, yea, for too many, to many to consider it a holiday.
Tony

Labor Day Blues

We celebrate those who work — as opposed to those who inherit family wealth and those whose financial investments work so they don’t have to. Due to outsourcing and increasing unemployment, some workers are experiencing hostility in the workplace. Below are typical statements made by bosses to their employees — just another day in the life of American workers.

1. Look, it doesn’t matter if the fumes are making you sick. OSHA says everything is OK.

2. I already told you that you couldn’t have the morning off. Your father’s funeral can wait till the weekend.

3. Union, did I just hear somebody say, “Union”? Fire that damn Commie!

4. You want a raise?……..hahhhhahhhahahahhhah.

5. Look, if you want a health care benefits, move to Costa Rica or Cuba. Third World countries give health care. This is the U.S.A. Love it or leave it.

6. What’s the big deal? It’s just asbestos.

7. Next time that you want to go to the bathroom, ask for permission first. That’s the rule.

8. You say that the school called and told you that your child was just injured on the playground and needs to go to the hospital? Who gave you permission to use the phone? Get back to work.

9. A little bit of ionizing radiation never hurt anybody.

10. Hey kid, stop crying and pick those tomatoes faster. You can celebrate your 8th birthday tonight when you get back to your camper.

11. Think of it as an adventure. Nobody dies from black lung anymore.

12. You say you want a week of paid vacation? Move to France, this is America.

13. Hell no, you can’t leave. Wait till your shift is over. I don’t care if your labor pains are just 3 minutes apart.

- Rosemarie Jackowski (Published on PressAction 2010)

Just a reminder...farm workers have almost no rights. Children as young as 2 years old have been filmed in the toxic fields. There is no day care, no safe housing, no medical care, etc for many of those who provide our food. When a farm worker was killed in a farm accident recently, his family was so fearful that they did not attend his funeral. They feared the US government.

See CHILDREN OF THE HARVEST a new documentary. Also the old classic HARVEST OF SHAME.

Man. Like a little cheese with that? If you don't like working for the man (which does have its advantages, admit it), then start your own business.

Reply to dwatkins: "Start your own business." Easy to do, if you have the startup money (if not, you need to borrow money- hope your credit is good and you're willing to take the risk), can go without pay until your business becomes profitable, AND you can afford to buy your own health insurance (with copays and deductibles you can live with).

Some of us are up and fighting and reading and writing -- but even that can seem less than effective at times. So many people are vying to be "the ones" or "the one" who lead the march to the promised land and get credit. I think the organic fight for justice will come aside from what we currently see. It's out there brewing and stewing.

The Bible says Jesus was a worker.
His work ran up against the Ruling Class.

I wonder if those who claim America as Christian understand what he was really about.