Saturday, September 3, 2011

Labor Day In Fitzwalkerstan

Ah, yes, Labor Day weekend. When the nation enjoys a three day weekend to celebrate the working men and women of the nation and to honor the fact that they are the engine that keeps the nation's economy moving.

However, here in Fitzwalkerstan, it feels more like an observation of what was a proud state that respected its workers and its citizens.

With the Republican assault on every working man and woman in the state, it's all the more important that we remember what Labor means to the state as well as to the rest of the country.

Those that are trying to fortify the temporary New World Order they're trying to foist upon us are doing their damned best to revise history in a lame effort to justify their indefensible actions.

But what is Labor Day really? And how should it be celebrated? Does it really involve those that claim to be with Labor, even though their actions belie their false statements?

For the quick answer, let's look at the official ruling by the US Department of Labor.  They note that there is some contention on how Labor Day originally originated, but all accounts agree that it was started by a member or members of organized labor groups.

What I found to be just as, if not more interesting, is how the holiday should be observed. From the US Department of Labor (emphasis mine):
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.
Well, well, well. If that last paragraph doesn't just fly in the face of everything the Republicans have said and don? And did you notice, the right's most recent favorite target, teachers, are included among the honored members of our society?

It also makes what's happening in Wausau all the more outrageous.

The union leaders in Wausau had decided to uphold their oaths and to honor the true meaning of Labor Day by making sure that the regional Republicans, who have been assailing the rights, the livelihoods and the freedoms of all working men and women, were not invited to the partake in the parade and other festivities to honor the people they've been insulting and assaulting.

Officials with the City of Wausau originally said that this was fine since the city doesn't contribute any money to the parade.

But lo and behold, a scant twenty-four hours later, they changed their tune and started strong-arming the unions to allow their assailants participate.  Without doubt, either someone from Scott Walker's administration  or one of his crony henchman had contacted the mayor of Wausau and told him to get the GOP into the parade or have funding to the town cut off or even threatened his own political career.

In turn, Mayor Jim Tipple turned spineless and threatened the unions to buckle or face the consequences.  Sadly, the already put-upon union leaders backed off from standing up for themselves and their members and said that the GOP pols were now allowed into the parade.

Even weak and vulnerable members of the GOP, like Sean Duffy, showed how clueless they are by failing to keep their mouths shut and trying to gloat over their bullying ways

The people of Wisconsin made a good start of reclaiming our state when we took back two seats in the US Senate.  But we must keep pushing forward until the working men and women of this great state are again made whole.  Our next opportunity is Monday, when we gather in various locations to honor them.

When you see any of these perpetrators at a Labor event, let them know that they are indeed not welcome, in a peaceful sort of way, of course. Make them wonder what they were thinking when they dared to show their face at an event meant to honor the victims of the greedy, hateful ways.

1 comment:

  1. "Sadly, the already put-upon union leaders backed off from standing up for themselves and their members and said that the GOP pols were now allowed into the parade."

    This is so f*cking embarrassing. What's the point of having a labor leader that caves in under pressure?
    They should be arrogant defenders of workers' rights feeling the full backing of the whatever number of people they repersent, some of whom are even willing to commit unlawful acts to take the power back when attacked.

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