Labor Day
This is the Labor Day Holiday weekend. Originating in the late 1800’s Labor Day was designated as a day of rest, to honor the contribution of labor to the prosperity of our Nation.
Currently, Labor Day marks the end of summer, the beginning of school, and the last opportunity for family outings. A three-day weekend for most, it is often a time to begin preparations for the coming winter season.
In the current economic crisis wherein the American work force is no longer recognized or properly valued for it’s contribution to economic health, growth and prosperity, it seems even more important to honor this Holiday. We are all painfully aware of the distance between Wall Street and Main Street. According to Equilar, an executive compensation research firm, the average income last year for an S&P executive was $7.5 million. Yearly median pay for private-sector workers in the U.S. in 2008 was $30,000; $36,000 with added in benefits. Yet, interestingly, according to the Saturday Evening Post, Jul/Aug 2010, the “U.S. is the world’s leading manufacturer, producing goods valued in excess of $1.5 trillion.”
There are several things that cannot be taken from the American worker: A strong work ethic, solid pride in performance and craftsmanship, unbridled ambition, and a willingness to roll up our sleeves and do whatever is necessary to forge ahead.
So, I invite you to take a few moments from your weekend to learn more about ‘Labor Day’. To honor the working men and women, past and present, who substantially contribute to the greatness of our nation.