For those American workers who today, Labor Day, will enjoy a break from their toils -- you've earned it. Take heart in family picnics and cookouts or in sleeping late or in spending more time with children. Put your worries aside, if you can. If you can.

Always, a cornerstone of the American dream, if not the cornerstone, has been the lesson taught by parents through generation upon generation: Prepare yourself, work hard and you shall be rewarded. You will achieve the dream and pass it on to your children. It would be nice if on this holiday everyone could celebrate with light heart and strong hope. But that's not the case. That hill to security is steeper all the time. A job is lost to downsizing. A company is dropping health insurance. Inflation, but no raises. College tuition may be out of reach. And then there's the mortgage.

Few Labor Days have tested the grit of Americans as this one does. Yet the spirit and the optimism remain. The faith and hope are there. The pride in country that says, we've been down before and we have risen, and we can again. On this holiday, no matter where it finds you -- even if you're a service worker on duty -- try to appreciate your blessings. And keep the faith.

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