Here in America, we will be celebrating Labor Day, a national holiday. I don't know about you, but I got to wondering what exactly is this Labor Day celebration. What or whose labor are we celebrating?
So I looked up the history of Labor Day.
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
[from the United States Department of Labor]
Concluding with this paragraph:
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.

I find the phrase "our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy" most telling, it tells me that the labor of the American people have benefited the United States democracy. But wait, the United States is a democratic Republic, isn't it? According to the Declaration of Independence found as part of the United States Constitution we, the labor force, are guaranteed certain unalienable rights (that means these rights CANNOT be taken away) such as the right of personal security, personal liberty and personal property. I consider my labor my personal property. I should be the one who benefits from that labor, not a country or a democracy. However, that is not the case. Who or what, then, really benefits from the work force here in America?
Obviously, we are told the country itself benefits from our labor. The tax system is certainly proof of that. Between federal, state, city, property, sales, gasoline, cigarette, liquor, excise and the various other forms of taxation (fees, permits, licenses) we are now paying close to 60% of our earnings to the government.
Next in line to receive a portion of our labor are the banks. We "trade" our labor for pieces of paper called Federal Reserve Notes (dollars). Now in order for these pieces of paper to circulate in our economy, they must be "borrowed" from the Federal Reserve. Notice I said borrowed. That's right, our government "borrows" the notes from an entity owned by international bankers that must be paid back WITH INTEREST!!!! The more "money" that is "borrowed" (by the way, this money is created out of thin air, there is no intrinsic value backing the American dollar -no gold, no silver, no anything) the less value the currency is given. Sort of like a comic or sport card collection, the rarer the pieces the more value that collection retains. When "fiat" money is used in an economy, the "hidden" tax of devaluation strips YOUR labor of its value.
Who else then benefits from our labor? Why the very corporations or businesses that sell everything from food to fuel to tools to games and gadgets to clothes to medical supplies. All these entities certainly "benefit" from our sweat and brow.
Let us not forget the churches either. No doubt you have a tithe envelope mailed to you for your contributions just in case you can't make the Sunday service. Now I don't know for sure, but I've heard that many a preacher tells you it's your "God-given duty to pay a portion of your labor to the church"!!!
So many "strangers" benefit from our labor here in America, no wonder it is a National holiday!

Tags: USA Holiday Labor Day Workers Labor Force Benefits Taxation Bankers

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For almost 20 years, I have been using non-toxic cleaning products.  Several years ago, I changed "out" my light bulbs.  I use
environmentally friendly antifreeze for my car and all-natural fertilizer for my lawn.  I thought I was being environmentally conscientious. Then a friend of mine asked me "what's in your garbage?"

She wanted to know if I had ever given any thought to how things were made, like electronics or appliances.  Furthermore, she wanted to know if I ever wondered what happens when I throw away those items
that don't work anymore or can't be repaired. But the real kicker was when she asked me "did I know that Americans were known as the world's biggest consumers? Had I ever heard that we were a "throw-away society?"  I certainly didn't like that description; that I, as an American, was only known for "buying stuff."

She then told me about a website that I might find very interesting if I wanted to get the full scoop regarding the production, consumption and disposal of "stuff" I used every day. She sent me to: the Story of Stuff.com

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard is a 20 minute online presentation that tells all:

 "From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in
our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is
hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff
exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and
social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and
just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it
just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever."

Tags: Garbage Stuff Story Of Stuff Manufacture Disposal

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Need a safe, non-toxic Christmas gift for those children on your list? I just heard about a unique gift idea that any child will fall in love with, adopt an animal! Check out the offerings at Wildlife Adoption Center. Why adopt an animal?

• Save imperiled animals!
• Perfect gift for the holidays or any occasion.
• Educates kids of all ages.
• New premium-quality animal fact sheets
• 5 x 7 photos
• Personalized certificates of adoption.
• Choose from (24) different animals
• Adoptions for all budgets, starting at $20.

Tags: Wildlife Adoption Center Charity

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