Monday being Labor Day, it is an appropriate time to recognizethe contributions of the American worker to our society.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the holiday – begunmore than 100 years ago – was a creation of the labor movement inAmerica dedicated to social and economic achievements to Americanworkers.

While modern labor unions certainly have their faults, this inno way diminishes the importance of a holiday set aside to honorour nation’s labor force.

Working-class Americans are vital to our economic stabilitybecause they are the ones who earn and spend to keep our economyhumming along. Beyond that, they, in many ways, keep our societyrunning as well. From construction workers to retail cashiers,these workers provide goods and services on a daily basis that manyamong us would be lost without.

As we celebrate the traditional end of summer on Monday, enjoythe day off, spend time with your families and friends and patyourself on the back on a job well done for another year. But takea moment to remember the working class – the backbone of America’seconomic success. These people deserve our admiration and ourgratitude.