On past Labor Days we often have invoked Thomas Jefferson’s quote about a limited “wise and frugal” government that “shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.”

Jefferson belonged to what would become the Democratic Party.  We suspect, however, that if he had any idea what a big government-loving, special interest circus his party was to become, he would have taken up permanent residence outside Paris and applied for French citizenship.

So this Labor Day we’re crossing the aisle with some wisdom about labor from an iconic Republican, Abraham Lincoln.  And, not unlike Jefferson, we suspect that if Abe could have envisioned what a rudder-less, special interest circus his party has become, he would have painted a bulls-eye on the back of his head to assist Booth’s aim.

But back on December 3, 1861, with the Civil War raging, Lincoln gave his State of the Union address in which he explained the interdependence of labor and capital so simply and so directly that Theodore Roosevelt based his “New Nationalism” speech on it almost 50 years later.

Lincoln begins by recognizing the primacy of labor.

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.

As Lincoln correctly noted in his own speech, ”that is the side the capitalist should hear,” before introducing the second half of Lincoln’s equation with: “Now, let the working man hear his side.”

Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection as any other rights.  Nor is it denied that there is, and probably always will be, a relation between labor and capital producing mutual benefits.

One hundred fifty years later, politicians of both the “red” and “blue” persuasions seem to find it more advantageous to their advancement and aggrandizement to disregard the “mutual benefits” of the relationship of labor and capital and, instead, to divide and polarize those two forces while ignoring the fundamental evolution Lincoln recognized back in 1861 that is a substantial element of what has come to be known as The American Dream:

Many independent men everywhere in these States a few years back in their lives were hired laborers.  The prudent, penniless beginner in the world labors for wages awhile, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land for himself, then labors on his own account another while, and at length hires another new beginner to help him.  This is the just and generous and prosperous system which opens the way to all, gives hope to all, and consequent energy and progress and improvement of condition to all.

So this Labor Day, let us honor the fundamental value of labor, not only for its own intrinsic worth but also as the foundation of capital formation.  And let us treat both with the respect Lincoln wisely knew they deserve.

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“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln.

Today we honor the men and women who gave their lives in military service to this country.  Depending on whose statistics you accept, their number runs between 1.3 and 2.1 million. 

In our opinion the best recognition of such sacrifice was given by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, in what has become known as his Gettysburg Address.  Especially timeless and transcendent is Lincoln’s expression of resolve: 

“that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Sadly, today the Land of Lincoln is a political cesspool that seems a lot more like government for the politicians than “for the people.”  But that didn’t happen overnight: it took decades of “the people” ignoring the civic rights and duties that were secured for them by those who “gave the last full measure of devotion.” 

Remembering those “honored dead” is one thing we owe them today.  The other is a renewed resolve to do a better job of making sure our government continues to be “of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894, thanks to legislation promoted by labor unions and signed by President Grover Cleveland.  But after decades of actually celebrating working people, Labor Day seems to have become more of a generic holiday, in this case marking the unofficial end of summer.

But this year Labor Day may have a more poignant meaning for more Americans than it has had for a generation, because this Labor Day finds more of us unemployed – 9.7% in August – than since the Recession of 1983.  That’s nothing to celebrate.  And if we count those who have settled for part-time work or have entirely given up looking for work, we have an “under-employment” rate of 16.8%.

So we encourage our readers with jobs to “celebrate” Labor Day 2009 by doing something nice for someone you know who is unemployed or under-employed.  Invite them and their families over for a barbecue.  Maybe make an introduction to a friend or acquaintance who can serve as a new networking connection.  Or just drop by with a cold six-pack and shoot the breeze.

Meanwhile, we leave you with the following quotes about work:

• “Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” (Thomas Edison)
• “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
• “God sells us all things at the price of labor.” (Leonardo da Vinci)
• “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” (Thomas Jefferson)
• “I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with the head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.” (John D. Rockefeller)
• “No great achievement is possible without persistent work.” (Bertrand Russell)
• “There is no labor a person does that is undignified; if they do it right.” (Bill Cosby)
• “What does labor want? We want more schoolhouses and less jails; more books and less arsenals; more learning and less vice; more leisure and less greed; more justice and less revenge; in fact, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures.” (Samuel Gompers)

And one light-hearted one:

• “I like work: it fascinates me.  I can sit and look at it for hours.” (Jerome K. Jerome)

Last Tuesday, Election Day, we encouraged our readers to vote “as payment of a debt of honor” to our country’s Founding Fathers and the millions of Americans who fought and died to keep this country free.

Today we should all take a moment to specially honor those American servicemen and women – our “veterans.” And if you know any veterans, or any Americans currently serving in the military, it wouldn’t be a bad time to say “Thank You.”

Because this is a political blog, however, we want to offer the following “political” quote that seems even more applicable today than ever before:

“But this Veterans Day, I believe we should do more than sing the praises of the bravery and patriotism that our veterans have embodied in the past. We should take this opportunity to re-evaluate how we are treating our veterans in the present.”
        Congressman Nick Lampson (D. Texas)

And that, folks, means providing them with top-notch and continuing medical care, educational opportunities and jobs.  

Our Founding Fathers earned for us the right to vote, and millions of Americans fought and died over the past 200+ years to preserve that right.  That’s why we should consider the act of voting as payment of a debt of honor.

Here’s what a few notable Americans have said about voting:

“Ballots are the rightful and peaceful successors to bullets.” Abraham Lincoln

“Voting is a civic sacrament.” Theodore Hesburgh

“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” John Quincy Adams 

Now get on out there and VOTE!

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, Labor Day (the first Monday in September, the first of which was held on September 5, 1882) is “a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

Those great contributions by U.S. workers to this country’s standard of living, however, have not occurred in a vacuum.  They are a product of this country’s market liberalism – a blend of labor, capital, entrepreneurship and a healthy respect for the free-market process, with limited intrusion by government.   

We believe that one of the best ways to honor the American worker and those principles which have made this country great is for those who populate our various governments to respect those workers and their contributions – by acting in a limited, responsible and frugal way with the taxes that government exacts.  So on this Labor Day 2008, we recall two quotes from Thomas Jefferson:

• “A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.” 
• “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

Today we thank and honor the people who have done their patriotic duty to our country through service in the military.  None of us should ever underestimate the importance of that service, or the sacrifice that it entailed.  Similarly, we should not underestimate the opportunities available for us to do our patriotic duty in non-military ways: Not just the duty to vote, but the duty to form and express opinions – through dissent, demonstration, and the organizing of political opposition to those in power – is patriotism in its own right.  The opportunity for us to serve in peace is what our military veterans have served and sacrificed for in war.