I have to strongly disagree with recent letters regarding their general consensus that only veterans have earned the right to have the holiday off from work.
They insinuate that somehow veterans are being cheated by the fact that some “non-veterans” (which according to 2006-2008 census results make up 87 percent of our state population) are getting a free ride, turning the day to honor veterans into a “joke.”
One writer apparently has an aversion to government employees, bank clerks, and holiday pay in general. Another seems to have an issue with teachers and/or schools. Hmmmm, resentment towards government employees, banks, teachers starts sounding alot like the same false rhetoric that has been blasting from the right since the day Democrats took over the utterly failed policies of conservatives that drove this country to the economic precipice it is now facing.
I personally found it very refreshing moving to Snohomish County after living all over the country when it came to celebrate Veterans Day. Other communities do not always appreciate the sacrifice that our veterans have made for us, and it was wonderful to see all the attention not just locally but nationally, and reflections of appreciation in the media.
It does feel like after decades of America’s left being very anti-veteran, we have recognized the contribution of those who have served while still being comfortable with being critical of the false mechanisms of the Bush administration(s) that lead our fellow countrypersons into unnecessary wars and resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths for nothing more than profits and personal vengeance.
While opinions are definitely just that, I found the logic so simple that I thought it would be interesting to apply it to all holidays.
First of all, I should not have Christmas off, being Jewish (but I think my wife would get mad). I definitely should not have President’s Day (I think only former presidents should, I think that makes about four or five people who could get the day off).
Only true laborers should get Labor Day off, not bank clerks and cushy bureacrats who are earning holiday pay off the sweat of veterans. I would also suggest that only Native Americans should have Thanksgiving off, well maybe also those households who could prove genetic lineage to the original pilgrims as well. I think you get my point.
Instead of being resentful of others who get the day off to appreciate (or not) a particular holiday and make rabid generalizations, why not just try to appreciate what we do have as Americans; the choice to take a day once a year to honor those that have served our country or take a day off and eat ice cream on the couch.
But of course it wouldn’t matter to me, I had to work on Thursday.
Brian Eisenkraft
Everett
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
