Labor Day Food Ideas

Labor Day is a holiday that has become a popular holiday, over the years, for everyone to get together and celebrate the coming of fall. Labor day was originally supposed to celebrate the ending of summer and the beginning of fall. Now, Labor Day is the last day before summer ends and school starts back in session. This holiday is also a time for families to get together, celebrate, and enjoy their time with each other.

Along with many holidays, the right food is a must for a great occasion and Labor Day isn't any different. The food that people usually associate with Labor Day is barbeque, but there are many other foods that you can prepare to make your holiday great. Barbeque can be a great entrée for your occasion because of how easy it is to make. There are also many different ways that you can marinate your barbeque to turn out with different flavors to the meat. You could use lemon pepper and garlic, or some citrus fruits to add a sweeter flavor to your meat. There are also many types of meats that you can use to barbeque if you have different palates in your family. Some members of your family might like to have different types of food depending on what they normally feel is barbeque. Meats such as beef, chicken, steak, and sausage can be used when you are grilling out with your family.

Another food that is usually associated with barbeque is potato salad. Although this sounds like an insignificant type of food, most people will associate this type of food with a barbeque. Potato salad can be mixed up and changed depending on what type of flavors you are looking for. Many people use different types of seasonings to flavor their potato salad in different ways. Some people use seasonings such as relish and red pepper to add a different kind of kick to your potato salad.

Cobblers also tend to be a summer time favorite for those looking for a dessert for their barbeque. There are many different flavors that you could add to your barbeque using different types of fruits and fillings. Peach cobbler tends to be a popular flavor for those who live near places where peaches are grown. There are also other flavors such as cherry and apple that will make a great ending to your Labor Day barbeque.

Labor Day Party Menu Ideas for a Summer Labor Day Party

Labor Day is one of the last chances you and your family will get to enjoy a summer barbeque, and it really is a nice way to celebrate all the hard work you and your loved ones put in for the rest of the year. It was created by the Central Labor Union to give working men the day off; now, many people see it as a paid opportunity to enjoy spend time with loved ones! Here are a few catering ideas:

A menu you may create for Labor Day is barbeque ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, and cupcakes for dessert. Any simple, tasty, picnic-friendly food that your family loves will be suitable though.

Broccoli salad is another healthy dish you may find for Labor Day. All you need is a 1-2 large heads of broccoli, ½ red onion chopped, 10-12 slices of cooked bacon broken up (substitute bacon bits), ½ cup of raisins, 1 cup of mayonnaise, ½ cup of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. You just combine all of the ingredients and you have a salad to eat along with your barbeque.

Another great recipe is ham and cheese salad. You take 1 cup of chopped ham, 1 cup of chopped cheese (preferably to types of cheese, any kind), ¼ chopped onion, ¼ chopped red pepper, and 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. You may need to add more mayonnaise to make it creamier, but that will be your choice. You combine all the ingredients in a bowl until the ingredients are well coated with mayonnaise.
Dips and other salads work great with crackers or chips depending on your preference for Labor Day.

It’s a good idea to keep your food options for Labor Day simple. And just because food is fairly quick and easy to make, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t taste good too. Before you know it your guests will be coming back for more.

Labour Day - A History

May 1st is the day when many countries around the world celebrate Labour Day. The May 1st date is used because in 1884 the American Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions demanded an eight-hour workday, to come in effect as of May 1, 1886. This resulted in the general strike and the Haymarket Riot of 1886, but eventually also in the official sanction of the eight-hour workday.

May Day is celebrated as Labour Day in most countries around the world. In the United Kingdom the bank holiday isn't fixed at May 1st, but instead is observed on the first Monday of May.

In the 20th century, the holiday received the official endorsement of the Soviet Union, and it is also celebrated as the Day of the International Solidarity of Workers, especially in some Communist states. Celebrations in communist countries during the Cold War era often consisted of large military parades with the latest weaponry being exhibited as well as shows of common people in support of the government.

Curiously (given the origin of the May 1st date), the United States celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday of September (May 1st is Loyalty Day, a legal but not widely recognized holiday in the United States). There is some suggestion that the reason for this was to avoid the commemoration of riots that had occurred in 1886. The adoption of May Day by communists and socialists as their primary holiday have been as a another reason as they further increased official resistance to May Day labor celebrations in America.

Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands also celebrate Labour Day on different dates; though that has to do with how the holiday originated in those countries.

May Day has long been a focal point for demonstrations by various communist, socialist, and anarchist groups.

Labour Day around the world

English tradition
Traditional English May Day rites and celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen, and dancing around a Maypole.

German Tradition
Labour Day was established as an official holiday in 1933 after the NSDAP rose to power. It was supposed to symbolize the new found unity between the state and the working classes. Ironically, just one day later, on May 2 1933, all free unions were outlawed and destroyed. But since the holiday had been celebrated by German workers for many decades before the official state endorsement, the NSDAP attempt to appropriate it left no long-term resentment.

No Wearing White After Labor Day is a Rule That Can Be Broken

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The maxim weighs down fashion as no other rule can: no wearing white after Labor Day! We are slaves to that one. But when can this rule be broken?

In a word--always. All rules are made to be broken and this one is broken just for the very reason it exists. Fashion. The most flagrant example is winter white. Rich not quite snow colored fabrics adorn the best dressed in marvelous high quality suits and coats made often from wool so that there is no mistaking it for summer season. Winter white wools or angora are the stuff that declares that the wearer is too fashionable to care about the rule of thumb.

No wearing white after Labor Day is another generation's rule for the vociferous younger generation. The youth market is filled with so many violations of this wardrobe rule that many of them would say it no longer applies at all. White is often used to accent pastel or more electric versions of pastel shades. This is particularly true in the case of ski type parkas and snow pants. White is increasingly used for hat, scarf and glove sets.

The only place that the no wearing white after Labor Day rule is really applied is in the case of handbags with matching shoes or lightweight white clothing. All of the obviously summer purses are sort of frowned upon after the semi-official end of the summer fashion season, Labor Day.

This does present a touchy situation in hot climates. Not only are fall and winter clothes too hot it just doesn't seem like the same season that it does in colder northern climates. Obviously in these places creative solutions are used. White gym shoes are still fine. Otherwise, darker though lightweight clothing is worn.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Labor Day party supplies and fun Labor Day Decorations. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes with Labor Day Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Having End-of-Summer Blues? Celebrate with a FHaving End-of-Summer Blues? Celebrate with a Fun Labor Day Party!un Labor Day Party!

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over and Labor Day is just around the corner. Alas, all good things must come to an end, or so they tell us. Why not make the end of summer one to remember for you, your friends and family? Why not have a party to say farewell to lazy day activities and welcome in the fall season?

Entertaining doesn't have to be a chore. Planning a party sometimes CAN be hard work, but I like to think of entertaining as giving a gift to my friends and myself! When you frame it that way, everyone wins and everyone has a good time. People love to eat, and what better way to share a good time than with great food and fun activities.

Doesn't Cherry Tomato Bruschetta sound like a heavenly way to break the ice at your Labor Day Party? What about Labor Day BBQ'd chicken that has a little extra zing added? And you can't forget a special dessert to celebrate the holiday. How does Mississippi Mud Cake sound? Yummy!

There are so many different combinations of great food you can put together for a Labor Day Party. Let me help by sending you to my Labor Day recipes page. All the recipes mentioned above can be found there, just look for the URL in my bio. It's chock full of great ideas. So, read on to get some fabulous tips for having a really fun Labor Day party.

• Have the party outdoors. This is a given, but make it special by using summertime colors: ripe reds and golden wheats.
• Have lots of bowls of fruits filled with peaches, tomatoes, oranges avocados. Not only are they pretty to look at but you can eat them when the party is over!
• If you want to use centerpieces for your tables, choose flowers like Gerber daisies that have the beautiful red-orange colors throughout their blooms. Accentuate the daisies with white baby's breath or some other kind of small, delicate fern or flower. Simple is in. Simple is big. Keep it simple.
• People aren't the only ones that enjoy eating outdoors. So do mosquitos and other tiny flying varmints. Be prepared with citronella candles and torches and light them before dusk sets in.
• Make sure you have more than enough ice. Summer may be coming to an end, but the weather can still be pretty darn hot and the last thing you want are crabby dehydrated people at your party!

Want some games to play? Try a couple of these - especially if there will be lots of kids around:

• Have a water balloon fight. Not only cools everyone off, but kids and adults can both enjoy it!
• Guess how many candies are in a jar. Winner is the person who guesses closest to the actual amount. You can have a prize for the winner and another prize for the person who is the farthest off from the amount of M&Ms.
• Have bubble gum available and have a bubble-blowing contest.
• Have a stomp rocket or water balloon challenge - highest, farthest, slowest, etc...
• Have a 3-legged race.
• If you have a pool, play Marco-Polo. Or, get a net for your pool, stretch it across the width and play water polo.
• Play limbo. How low can you go?

Don't forget to visit the Labor Day Recipes page at Easy Appetizer Recipes to find more inspiration for a celebration of the laborers of our country and to learn more about how Labor Day History came about.

Enjoy and have a happy and safe Labor Day!

Important: Please feel free to republish this article on your web site or in your ezine. However, you are not allowed to modify any part of its content and all links should be kept active.

By Sara Gray

Labor Day National Holiday Should Be Cancelled Until Work Ethic Improves

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Most people believe that Labor Day is a deserved holiday and that tribute should be given to America's workers. Indeed, many people work very hard, but not all. It is somewhat interesting that a recent United Nation's study showed that the US workforce was the most productive in the world. Yet, as a former employer, I must say I was completely underwhelmed with lack of work ethic. Additionally, why do people feel entitled to this holiday and pat on the back?

Much of the US productivity comes from information systems, machines, robotics and computers. It comes from maintained highways, clean environment, good education and smart people who run these companies, and not solely the labor force itself; and is the labor force really that good? I would submit to you that it is not based on my 5,000 hours of study on this subject.

Why you ask? Well we have a huge drug problem in the US, we have Unions doing work slow downs and making outrageous demands and lobbying politicians to make laws to give them the edge, so they can perform less and get more than the rest of us. Thus, taking advantage of the system. Do those who take advantage of the system deserve more? Well they say they do and will cuss you out if you disagree with them.

If a Union Worker is asked to work on Labor Day, they get triple time pay. Indeed, they should work for free out of respect to the Nation on that holiday, not take the day off. Sincerely, Lance.

By L. Winslow

Labor Day Celebrations In Different States

Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September commemorates the American Labor Movement. It’s an acknowledgement of the important role that laborers had in building up the nations with all its glories and achievements. Needless to say it’s an holiday to honor and pay tribute to those workers of strength and perseverance whose selfless efforts have added to the growth and prosperity of the American nation.

Labor Day is celebrated in different states of the US with much pomp and gaiety. Different states have their own unique way of celebrating this day that come alive with the solemn feeling of the history of Labor Day and the euphoria associated with it. Let’s take a look at some of the unique ways in which Labor day is celebrated across the nation.

Mackinac Bridge Walk – (Michigan) – In Michigan people walk the length of the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day, a tradition that started in 1958. Around 50,000 to 65,000 people participate in this parade in an average year which is traditionally led by the Governor of Michigan. The participation in this walk increased in certain years when this was made a part of political events for gubernatorial or presidential elections.

Boomsday – (Tennessee) – Boomsday is the annual fireworks that is organized in Knoxville, Tennessee on Labor Day. The fireworks are choreographed to music. It is held as the nations largest Labor Day fireworks show that attracts more than 325,000 spectators every year. The event is sponsored by the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation in conjunction with local radio stations of Journal Broadcast Group Pre-fireworks fun includes food, exhibitor tents, live music and entertainment! Fireworks are set off from the Henley St. bridge and spectators view the show from the riverfront, hillsides, or on boats from the Tennessee River.

Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival - (Louisiana ) - The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in the Louisiana State is a traditional Labor Day festival born during the 1930’s. The Gulf Coast Seafood Producers & Trappers Association organized this for the first time, to honor the ocean workers—shrimpers, oystermen, crab fishermen to frog and alligator hunters and dock workers. Louisiana comes alive every year with water events, arts and crafts exhibitions, fireworks and culinary shows.

Bumbershoot – (Seattle, Washington) - The Labor Day weekend in Seattle, Washington, is animated by the Bumbershoot Art Festival. Since its golden days in the 1970’s, the place is a conglomeration of artists from around the world—writers, poets, dancers, musicians, actors and even acrobats take the center stage on the occasion of Labor Day. The event is held at the Seattle Center which spans 74 acres and which was built for the 1962 World's Fair. With over 20 stages spread across the Center, the Labor Day celebration in Seattle definitely takes a creative edge over the rest!

Sweet and Hot Jazz Festival – (Los Angeles, California) – The Sweet and Hot Jazz festival is held every year on Labor Day in Los Angeles, California. Here Labor Day is celebrated with Jazz – the most popular form of music in the country. It’s a forum for the past and the present of Jazz music to come together with the latter paying tribute to the former. It’s a unique way to celebrate Labor Day and the idea is to honor the tradition of labor through music.

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Animal advocates urge pet adoptions post-Labor Day

The city's animal shelters are still flooded with homeless cats and dogs - and with Labor Day behind us, animal advocates are urging all to come out and adopt.

"It's the perfect time now that people are back from vacation and back to their routines," said Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals.

Tomorrow, the Alliance will host an adoption event at Central Park, East Drive (enter at E. 59th St.) from noon to 5 p.m. In addition to dozens of adorable cats and dogs from various shelters and rescue groups, the event will also feature vet experts, cat therapist Carole Wilbourn and low-cost microchipping.

This summer, big-hearted readers pitched in to adopt after The News' Lisa Colangelo reported that 85 cats a day were being taken in by the Animal Care & Control shelters. Lack of room in the three ACC shelters and with few people adopting meant many of the animals were in danger of being euthanized.

Despite kitten season ending, the situation remains dire.

"It's gotten better, but we still need people to adopt more cats and kittens," Hoffman said.

And, while adorable puppies and small breed dogs are in demand, pit bull mixes and other large breeds dogs, like Rottweilers and shepherds, are often left behind in the shelters.

Brooklynite Jon Bozak is one pit bull lover who hopes that more people would give the underdogs a second chance.

"I only wish that more people understood that there is no breed of dog more capable or deserving of love than a pit bull," he said. His two rescued pit bulls, Brinks, 3, and Demo, 14, were the inspiration for Bozak's new graphic novel, "Demo: The Story of a Junkyard Dog" ($17.95, demo-dog.com) about a junkyard dog that endures abuse to save a town from destruction.

Adoptions are up, and the number of unwanted animals euthanized at city shelters has dropped dramatically in recent years, thanks to the many rescue groups that take cats and dogs out of the city shelter. Still, nearly 50% of animals that land in the ACC shelters are euthanized.

In August, a total of 2,092 cats and dogs were adopted from the ACC shelters, but 1,981 animals were put down. Unlike the ASPCA, Humane Society and other "no-kill" shelters, the ACC is required to take in any animal brought into its three shelters or left on the street.

It is the only nonprofit organization that holds a contract with the city to handle its stray and unwanted animals, an estimated 44,000 animals a year.

The operating budget to run three shelters is about $8 million, a number that Hoffman says just isn't enough.

"We need about $20 million," said Hoffman, noting the desperate need to fund low-cost spay/neuter clinics and to achieve the city's "no-kill" initiative.

To find an animal shelter or rescue group near you, pick up the brand new 2007 Trails to Tails Map, a glossy, foldout guide created by Rational Animal. The map can be found at adoption events, in pet supply stores, the New York Public Library and YMCA branches, and at dog-runs. To get a free copy of the guide, go to trailstotails.com, or send a business-sized SASE to: Rational Animal, Trails to Tails, 7 Cornelia St., #1E, N.Y., N.Y. 10014.

Pet calendar: On Saturday, Sept. 29, from noon to 6 p.m., Animal Care & Control will host the Brooklyn Top Dog and Kitty Karnival Adoption Event, located at J.J. Byrne Park at Fourth St. and Fifth Ave. in Park Slope.

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Family of teen killed in Labor Day Weekend crash can't afford to bury her

Hetty Chang reporting.

A tragic accident over Labor Day Weekend killed four Las Vegas teens; one of the victims has yet to be laid to rest.

The crash near Baker, California killed two sisters: Tatiana Thornhill and Chennell Jones. During funeral services last week, the family could only afford to bury Tatiana.

The mother, Robin Stumps, was in that accident. She is the only one who survived. Stumps will never fully recover from her injuries and her jaw is now wired shut, but that didn't stop her from speaking with News 3 about giving her daughter Chennell a final resting place.

Robin Stumps survived the unthinkable. A horrific car crash that killed all four teens in the car. Stumps says she has no memory of what happened. "All I know is that I woke up and I was in the hospital... never knew nothing," Stumps explains.

But what Stumps can remember is something no parent should ever have to hear. "I remember them coming in and telling me that... they had all passed away. They told me they didn't have a seat belt on. Chenelle wore a seatbelt. I just wanted someone to tell me that she was wearing a seat belt because she always wore one."

Chenelle turned 15 just two days before her death. Her mother says she was genius; a writer; someone who was proud to call her mom. Now Stumps feels not only grief but also guilt that she buried one daughter but not the other. "Awful, awful... I just feel like I live in a city that has so much money and we've been trying and nobody's helping. I lost two kids, two young girls, and we're doing everything we can."

The family has held car washes to collect donations but they are still $5,000 short of some sort of closure and at least a little peace of mind. "It's not fair for her to lay like that. We've worked so hard to get them everything... keep them in good schools. I can't bury my child."

The driver of the car, Diaunte Flannigan, and Chennell's friend Jada Carrier were also killed in the crash.

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Labor Day Party Menu Ideas for a Summer Labor Day Party

Labor Day is one of the last chances you and your family will get to enjoy a summer barbeque, and it really is a nice way to celebrate all the hard work you and your loved ones put in for the rest of the year. It was created by the Central Labor Union to give working men the day off; now, many people see it as a paid opportunity to enjoy spend time with loved ones! Here are a few catering ideas:

A menu you may create for Labor Day is barbeque ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, and cupcakes for dessert. Any simple, tasty, picnic-friendly food that your family loves will be suitable though.

Broccoli salad is another healthy dish you may find for Labor Day. All you need is a 1-2 large heads of broccoli, ½ red onion chopped, 10-12 slices of cooked bacon broken up (substitute bacon bits), ½ cup of raisins, 1 cup of mayonnaise, ½ cup of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. You just combine all of the ingredients and you have a salad to eat along with your barbeque.

Another great recipe is ham and cheese salad. You take 1 cup of chopped ham, 1 cup of chopped cheese (preferably to types of cheese, any kind), ¼ chopped onion, ¼ chopped red pepper, and 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. You may need to add more mayonnaise to make it creamier, but that will be your choice. You combine all the ingredients in a bowl until the ingredients are well coated with mayonnaise. Dips and other salads work great with crackers or chips depending on your preference for Labor Day.

It’s a good idea to keep your food options for Labor Day simple. And just because food is fairly quick and easy to make, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t taste good too. Before you know it your guests will be coming back for more.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Labor Day party supplies and fun party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

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Labor Day Reflection

Labor Day now has fewer parades and even less organized labor involvement as the American worker is facing a new reality. The real celebration of the traditional long weekend now rightly resides in backyards and neighborhoods of the people the holiday was originally intended to honor. The changes are better, reflecting market economies and the resourcefulness of the American worker.

Labor unions questionable future rests with their ability to serve a greater good than simply increasing wages. The irony of the massive dwindling of labor unions (from 45% of the US workforce in the 1950’s to less than 14% today) is the growing base of non-union workers putting in more hours, increasing safety concerns, lowering the quality of life with less net income and shrinking benefits. In the past this was fertile ground for union organizers.

Safety should be an issue that labor unions own but they seem only focused on protecting hourly wages against market realities. Air traffic control, trucking hours of service, mining practices, hospital care, product reliability, construction issues are just a few of the areas big business deflect tragic incidents as acceptable percentages with organized labor being invisible on these issues. Tragically neither has a vision for what needs to be a collaborative effort on US global market competitiveness and future relevance. The old methods of one dimensional economics do not leverage our resources and market potentials. The old objectives are held onto desperately to protect outdated mindsets.

Labor should reinvent themselves, being much more inclusive of the entire US labor markets, appealing with deliverable values to salaried, small business and home based entrepreneurs. Evolving to incorporate similarly what other associations have done in gathering all relevant data that serves market needs (safety stats/tips; efficiency ideas; profits/capital, addressing behavior problems; accountability and gain share results to name a few) is practical and addresses a clear need.

Management should embrace the employee as partner for prosperity rather than necessary evil. Communicating impact issues like ongoing balance sheets in language and presentation all can understand, sharing industry trends and risk assessments, encouraging and rewarding employee contributions in ideas for profitable growth, safety, HR, pay/benefits, etc. This must be done in small groups with Q&A, not just newsletter spins from marketing.

True, the passing of the industrial revolution to the knowledge age has for many reasons displaced much of our production and industrial might. However we still are a manufacturing and services world power with all of the noted labor issues relevant even in the 21st century. Our new service economy is uniquely geared to accommodate nimble small business start ups, the entrepreneur and home based businesses. There is a void of support mechanisms that neither organized labor nor big business are filling.

Labor unions can and should be the leaders in safety advocacy, employee accountability and productivity and process improvements for each industry. They should be leaders in consumer advocacy. They should be leaders in presenting fair and balanced reporting of wages, benefits by industry with global competitive realities. They should be leaders in non-discrimination whether race, gender, faith or diverse background. They should be leaders in worker training and cross industry mobility. They will not however as neither their current membership nor leadership have any desire to accomplish anything other than holding on to their death the shrinking objective of wage improvements. Increased wages and benefits can only come with businesses increased profitable growth.

Big business can and should be the leader each of these areas as well but are rarely as they are focused on wealth accumulation with lip service to anything other than what services this objective. Old established big businesses in transportation, manufacturing and technology have outsourced, reinvented their purposes or gone out of business, creating turmoil to every day workers, forcing these workers to seek other livelihoods.

Turning to the government is not the answer as our democracy is not designed, nor should be for a socialistic approach. Regulations are already in place, leveraged by interest groups that keep the fight rigged with no awareness to domestic realities that the battle for jobs has been lost to a more efficient and effective global economy.

The future of US market relevance, productivity, safety, wealth generation and accountability sits squarely on the shoulders of individual workers. The explosive increase in entrepreneurial small business start ups and home base businesses will evolve into value driven associations that provide informed and realistic guidance on safety, wages, benefits, training to needs /results, market opportunities, efficiency ideas, economic tools and much more. Instead of the US economic clout coming from old big business mainstays, we are already seeing new companies’ crop up and evolve literally overnight in a sea of entrepreneurism, small businesses and home based wealth generators.

The US worker is taking personal accountability and investing in their own economic livelihoods. They understand that there is no value in pointing fingers, living in the past or ignoring reality.

Labor Day no longer has any meaning for organized labor to celebrate or for big business to rue the long weekend of lost productivity. Americans' are embracing this Labor Day to recharge their energies, value their families and freedoms to individually build the knowledge, skills and experiences to take ownership of their livelihoods. No doubt disappointed in their unions, employers and government for the lack of visionaries or leadership, yet embracing their potential and dreams to build security for their families with their own resources and inventiveness.

Like the mythological Narcissus, the American worker has looked at their reflection in the gleam of global markets and likes what they see, ignoring the seductress nymph Echo repeating the refrains of labor unions, big business and government officials. We are pursuing our own happiness, morphing into a new flower of beauty and wonder in the new global economy.

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