Labor Day Weekend Questions:

Med djup fastställd svensk synar, den själ sökanden in i misten av framtida tider och frågar: från var att komma arbetarna nu?

Met een sympathiek Nederlands hart onderzoekt deze ziel de mist van toekomstige tijden en vraagt: wie de taak vóór ons zal doen?

I pose these questions in the languages of my ancestors (Swedish and Dutch) for a very good reason.  These questions my ancestors would never have asked.  Why?  Because they had work and if not in the “Old Country,” never lacked for work here in America.  America in the mid 19^th century was the land of opportunity, the land were work was plentiful, and despite what some say today, where he/she who did the work was respected at least for doing it.  We were a growing nation and building this country was primary, so those who had, had to respect those whom they would hire to do the building. 

Today all has changed.  The immigrants who would be hired to work are not respected; the laws are against them working without papers.  My ancestors did not need papers.  No one questioned their ability to do the work, and no-one sought someone who would do the work cheaper in some foreign land.  In the 1900 census my great, great grandmother reported to the census taker that she could read and write, but not English. She lived perfectly well with the Dutch language in her community, with other Dutch immigrants.  Gradually of course, we as a family, in order to do commerce on our own outside the Dutch enclave, were forced to learn English and assimilate into the American culture.  It, in fact, took several generations before a college education was thought to be valuable.  In those early immigrant days it was the farm and field where learning took place, and it was the work on farm and field which was of paramount importance.  But my ancestors were also skilled carpenters.  In fact a home and building (barn) on the registry of Historic Places is attributed to my ancestors not only as builders, but also designers.  In fact having done extensive genealogical study, I have found that my ancestors were carpenters and builders since the time of Napoleon. 

Today our entire attitude is different.  Not only are we against the immigrant in many ways, we are also against the working class in many ways.  Just listen momentarily to the political pundits and candidates, and you will get the idea that for most of them, the middle and working class are the undeserving class.  They are the class which ought not be entitled, even to the things and benefits, they and their employers have paid for.  We are anxious in many cases to outsource jobs to foreign lands were wages are just above outright slavery.  Why?  Because, that will inevitably lead to higher profits, for those who do the outsourcing.  There is no national pride amongst those who outsource the work and no patriotism either.  They are no longer building America, but instead building their portfolio, and even their capital assets are kept overseas to avoid taxation in America.  Would it not be an act of patriotism to keep their wealth in America and pay their fair share in support of the national dream, or are we done building America, and all that is left is a pride in ourselves and not a pride in our nation.  One almost could ask, are we a nation or a plutocracy of off-shore capitalists.

So if the trend of outsourcing, and outright war against the middle and working classes continues, we are left to ask those Swedish and Dutch questions I began with:

“With deep set Swedish eyes, this soul looks out into the mist of future times and asks: wherefrom shall come our workers now?”  “With a sympathetic Dutch heart, this soul looks out into the mist of future times and asks: who shall do the task for us?