September 1 2007

Well gang, Labor Day weekend is upon us. As Americans we should understand that it is not just about football, a four day holiday and some barbecue.
There was a time when Big Business would stop at nothing…literally nothing… to increase their profits.
While safety in industry was basically ignored, in the coal mines among other places, children were utilized because in the mines, they were not only cheaper, but because they could work narrow seams of coal that were too low for a grown man to operate in. There was no minimum wage. The rent houses for the laborers were owned by the company. So were the stores for food and clothing.
If somebody got sick, there was no health insurance program.
School was not compulsory for children of school age.
There was once a mining strike that utilized The National Guard to put down. Coal miners were shot and killed by National Guardsmen.
The fear of labor Unions caused some Big Companies to stockpile munitions to handle laborers who just couldn’t take the squeeze anymore.
Everybody was "out sourced contract labor". Sort of
It’s not very cheery, but it’s part of our history and we should learn about it. John Steinbeck, Sinclair Lewis, and all like that. A little Googling wouldn’t hurt.
And then there were the sharecroppers. Oh boy!
Next weekend is pretty special too. There will be a kick-off party for the club’s annual benefit for kids who wish things were better.
It will be held upstairs at Rudyard’s British Pub between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM on Sunday, September 9th.
The "Third Ear" will provide music starting at 8:00PM.
You can sign up your cooking teams, or make one up on the spot.
You can also sponsor a trophy if you like.
All the usual suspects will be in attendance, and it’s an easy day to remember. It’s the day after Sam’s birthday party.
Hope to see you there.

Till next week
Helga Biermeister
Secretary