Reverend Thomas's Irreverent Web Blog. A discussion of U.S. domestic events and policies affecting the development and direction of Faith Hope and Charity Ministries. Along with some highly opinionated comments, some seemingly non-Pastoral in nature.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Labor Day - The Facts

For most people Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and Labor Day marks the end of summer. Labor day was established in 1862 by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the working man, it became a national holiday in 1894. Since 1966 it has also been the weekend for the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and yes Jerry Lewis has been hosting it for all these years.

Now for the rest of the story. Labor day is has important to me as Memorial day, during those celebrations we honor two of the most important contributors to America today, yesterday and all the days to come.

The men and women who died for this country to give me the right to believe what I want to believe, say what I want to say (as long as it does not endanger another), to dream, to hope, and to live free. The men and women who go to work every day in all those behind the scenes service jobs and help take good care of me when I just want to sit down and have a cup of coffee delivered to me.

Though no part of the body can live without another part, and no part is more important than the another. Who would we be if a farmer did not grow food, if someone did not forge tools for him to farm with, if there were no doctor's to keep the farmer well, the connection between all the jobs done to sustain our way of life goes ignored all to often.

Today, we see a greater separation in classes, but no longer is there a real middle class, we have for the most part two classes, the working poor and the working rich. I don't begrudge someone reaping the benefits and rewards from there hard work. I simply ask that they pay a living wage to their employees.

I challenge all business owners to pay a living wage to their employee's. This one step, will prevent so much of the poverty the working poor suffer in America. America is great place to go when you need to ask someone to help. Americans will jump on the bandwagon of the innocents so fast you won't be able to keep up with it. Disaster relief, Aids Relief, World Hunger, Trash Communities, War, Endangered Species, Dogs, Cats you name it, an American is always ready to rescue the innocent.

I tell you now the working poor in this country are innocent as well, they did not choose to work for minimum wage, they choose to work to feed their families, they did not choose to set their salaries below the cost of living median, they choose to work to support and sustain themselves. They are just as innocent as a stray dog, a lost cat, a hungry child in America is as hungry as a hungry child anywhere else.

I challenge you to consider one more thing. If everyone was a doctor, lawyer, business owner, etc., who would make the products they sell, who would farm the food we eat, who would stand on their feet for 12 hours waiting on us while we complain about the burnt toast the cook sent out. Just who indeed would be behind the scenes quietly patiently making sure our lives are as comfortable as possible?

Celebrate Labor Day by taking a long look at your business practices, and see if maybe you could make a few simple adjustments to your lifestyle and be a leader, no a rebel and pay a living wage.

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