Our history as a nation has been punctuated, protected and prospered by the long-ago established standards, dedication and pride of our labor force. The stamp of “Made in America” became a standard of excellence throughout the trading world market.
Labor at all levels of intensity of mind or body produces products of a variety of need and appearance. Personal pride in the product produced, whether it be a potato from a plowed and weeded field daily tended, or the last and finishing bolt on a shiny new automobile, the personal pride of labor that cannot be duplicated or counterfeited.
Over the years and generations, the celebration of Labor Day has been identified with large units of collective bargaining organizations. In many celebrations, unions have taken the forefront and expense of celebrating this holiday. There is nothing wrong with this formula as long as the much smaller and even singular efforts of labor are likewise recognized and celebrated.
The industrial age brought with it a demand for a labor force of a magnitude never before needed. Without representation and organization, this force was often misused and taken advantage of. This was the birth of the labor unions. They were needed, and they did their duty to represent the individual rights and needs of their constituents.
An honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work has always been a successful equation of success for any country. As American labor we must adhere to this proven path of productive performance for any and all levels of labor. No other country has or can outproduce Americans in both quantity or quality if this rule of success is followed.
Our national pride and heritage should never allow us to substitute production for quality of product. We are and always have been a “can-do” America that when called upon to sacrifice and produce have overproduced beyond set goals. It is time to reignite our pride as a labor force second to none in dependability, commitment and patriotic determination to excellence.
Congratulations to the greatest labor force in the world. The pride of product must remain and grow with each generation. “Made in America” should remain a promise and pledge of excellence in workmanship and quality. God bless American labor at any and all strata of the labor chain of performance and productivity.
Opinion
Labor force has long been U.S. strength and heritage
- Opinion
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A complete commitment: When fathers become dads
On the third Sunday of June each year, we observe Father’s Day. This is extra special to Fairmont because the first celebration was observed here in The Friendly City. Over the years of annual observance, the role of father has taken on many new and varied duties.
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What’s the solution for funding highways?
There was a time when the federal government put substantial highway dollars in the states to match funds for projects.
That was two wars and a recession ago, though. That was when Congress had its differences but could pass a bill or two every now and again. -
Valley Falls great recreational area, but don’t ignore the rules on safety
The signs at Valley Falls State Park couldn’t be more clear:
“Danger. Rocks are slippery. Hazardous currents and rapids. Swimming and wading prohibited.”
The signs also note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited and that the minimum fine for violating the rules is $167. -
Following court decision, let’s move on, see FGH ‘grow and thrive’
We don’t think anyone would argue the point that our community and its leaders need to be forward-thinking, forward-moving and focused on the bricks that will pave the pathway to the future.
Sometimes there’s a disagreement about that future. And sometimes those disagreements have to be settled. -
Gary Price strong as superintendent, in position to bring stability to schools
“An evaluation of a superintendent is not intended to find fault, but is a measuring tool to see how effective one is doing and see if any improvement or concentration in any area needs to be worked out to make one better.”
This was Marion County Board of Education president James Saunders reading a prepared statement prior to going into discussion about the status of Superintendent Gary Price. -
Livelihood of people at center of Patriot Coal case
The bankruptcy of Patriot Coal is far more complicated than many of us will ever understand.
What complicates it is people. This isn’t just about paperwork and reorganization. The livelihood of workers and those who spent years in the mine are at stake here. -
Relay for Life: A reason to give thanks but much work to be done
The annual Marion County Relay for Life was held Friday inside the Falcon Center on the shared campus of Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College — moved indoors for the first time because of weather. It was held three weeks after Mannington’s Relay for Life, also a growing, annual event held this year at Hough Park.
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Judge’s ruling about Patriot Coal is ‘tragic’ and a ‘travesty’
We wonder how many readers were angered when they read the top story in the Times West Virginian on May 30.
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D-Day reminder of ‘great and noble undertaking’ made during World War II
It was nearly 70 years ago that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was offering the following words to soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:
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All must invest time, effort and funding to keep our children safe
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare — watching your child taken away in an ambulance following an accident, not knowing the full extent of their injuries.
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A complete commitment: When fathers become dads
