Labor Day provides us with an excellent opportunity to thank the labor movement for their many contributions to the America we know and to honor American workers. It is also a day when we should reflect on the uphill battle American workers have faced and continue to face even as current economic conditions should be helping us to realize their importance. Unfortunately, American workers and the labor movement have powerful enemies who have opposed them at every point in history.

Even today, conservatives demonize labor because they prefer to represent corporations over people. When workers attempt to organize to gain a living wage or better conditions in the workplace, conservatives cry "Communism." They see that an organized labor movements threatens their corporate masters, and they have opposed the minimum wage, occupational safety regulations, and even the fundamental right of workers to unionize.

As we reflect on the origins of Labor Day and honor the workers who are the backbone of our economy, we would do well to remember who has opposed them at every step.

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