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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It is becoming increasingly obvious that conservatives are going to campaign on hate because they have little else to offer. Their economic policies have been disastrous for America, and they have not used their time as an opposition party to develop new ideas. Instead, they are clinging to anti-gay bigotry and hoping to revive enough anti-immigrant sentiment to score points.

As difficult as it is going to be to persuade progressive voters to turn out to vote in the mid-terms, it seems important that this particular strategy is not rewarded.

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On the extremely small chance that you have not already seen this clip repeatedly, watch it now. This is Gov. Jan Brewer's (R-AZ) opening statement in the gubernatorial debate. And no, I do not expect for a second that it will be the end of her political career as it should. This is the new face of American politics. We can thank Sarah Palin for that.

Progrimm (OpenLeft) posted an excellent strategy on which progressives should be campaigning. This video gives you an idea of how it might look in ad form, but do take the time to visit the post for more information.



I realize that this is more of the fear-based strategy I was recently complaining about, and I'm not saying it should be the only strategy involved here. Exposing what the other party will do if they return to power is important, but we also need to make a positive case for what we have to offer.

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