found online by Raymond
From libertarian Michael A. LaFerrara at Principled Perspectives:
The United States Department of Labor, speaking on The History of Labor Day, had this to say on its website:
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”
Really? There is no doubt about what is meant here. McGuire was referring to people who “work with their hands”. Is that what built America?
Here we have a plumber writing at length to effectively deride unskilled labor and call for the praise of upper classes and capitalism on a day meant to recognize the “little guy.” Surely there is some more reasonable libertarian this blog could follow.
Good point as always, Ryan.
At the risk of seeming purely snark-ridden:
We are now engaging in a struggle to think of a reasonable libertarian.
Though I feel the same as Ryan towards Principled Perspectives, I do find myself going there and reading Mr. LaFerrera’s entire polemic against the proletariat. It’s grating, aggrevating and annoying at times but it’s good exercise to listen to the words of people with different opinions.
Ideas don’t lay piping, build bridges, erect structures or harvet crops. Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel but to discount the human effort and labor in building it is ludicrous. The drafters, engineers and superintendents weren’t going to be pouring the concrete.
How many pharaoh’s does it take to build a pyramid?
I’m glad this guy enjoyed Atlas Shrugged to the point that it drives his every argument. One day, maybe, he’ll think about what would happen five minutes after it’s ending.
Seriously. It’s just an excuse to have a day off. Let people have one day off. The CEOs and other champions of Capitalism don’t bemoan a Federal Holiday to use the fruits of their intellectual labor for another trip down to the Caymans.
Burr,
I liked Julian Sanchez, whom you followed, but unfortunately he seems to have stopped writing for his own blog. Perhaps there are similar minds over at Reason who have their own blogs.
Trey,
Different opinions are fine as long as they’re reasonable or provide valuable insight into a significant social force. I don’t see either of those things in Mr. LaFerrara, who adheres so absolutely to libertarian principles and is totally predictable accordingly. In fact, were I of a mind to satirize libertarianism on my own blog, I would save myself a great deal of work by simply linking to his.
Ryan,
I’m right there with you. Mr. LaFerrara’s blogposts are not unlike a car wreck on the side of the road. I can’t help but rubberneck and shake my head in disappointment when I come across it. Without F&U, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be taking the exit that detours me to Mr. LaFerrara’s blog.