I’m in no mood to analyze the Labor Movement’s predicament or point out that Labor Day is the unofficial start of election season. They’ll be enough of that in the papers, on tv and online and I promised not to criticize democrats before the November vote.
So here are some quick, personal and nonpolitical reflections about Labor Day.
For many of us, it’s the holiday we associate with going "back to school" and that forms an imprint that this - not January - is the start of the new year.
My memory-track divides according to what grade I was about to enter (I did this all the way through college). The fact that my birthday is in August added an extra element. I began each grade a year older.
Now - Labor Day, 2010 - I’m ready for another shot and, as always, an opportunity to take stock.
Certain things about my life are going pretty well, thank you very much. Despite the heartaches and heartbreaks of the American Labor Movement, I’m very happy to have found my niche working for unions.
Other parts of my life, not so great; but don’t expect full disclosure at this time.
As for my country, that’s also a mixed bag. I’ve gotten pretty good at preventing frustration, disappointed and even anguish from turning into hopeless despair (sounds like quite an accomplishment). And for reasons I can’t fully explain, I like Americans more than ever.
Finally, I had a good year blogging and teaching.
So those are some of my Labor Day ruminations.
Now, it’s back to work.