ON LABOR DAY, REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE WORKING

Monday is Labor Day, that uniquely American holiday set aside to honor those who toil for a living in this wonderful country. As with much else in our country these days, labor isn't what it used to be. From a high of nearly 35 percent of the private-sector work force in the 1950s, organized labor today represents only about 11 percent of private-sector workers. The principal growth sector of unions today is in public-employee union membership.

These are the folks who have an interest in larger government and the higher taxes to pay for it. They want to unionize ever-larger portions of what they hope will be an ever-larger government work force. Whether their interests coincide with, or conflict with, those of the taxpayers who pay the freight -- and who work long hours frequently for less pay and benefits than those in government -- is something to contemplate these days.

Anyway, Happy Labor Day!