Labor Day weekend is upon us. Let’s celebrate the laborers.

The willing workers of America have been the backbone to making our country the greatest nation in the world. People from all over the world have come here in search of a better life by having the opportunity and the freedom to work hard to make their dreams come true. The will and the joy of working has made life better for millions who have realized their dreams in America.

An acquaintance of mine who has done very well throughout his life has always been a hard worker. He has said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” Good fortune has never just fallen on him accidentally but he has always worked hard and good things have come his way.

There is no way that Americans can stop working. Our government and all that we have and know flourishes or dries up based upon our work. Our work produces products, delivers goods, raises crops, provides fuel and feeds our families.

A country cannot sit down and expect that all the people will be clothed, fed and medically cared for without a large group of working people. The nation who does not work will soon fold. Our government cares for a lot of people now. Millions of Americans receive Social Security checks and other types of government monetary support. This money does not grow on trees but is reproduced daily by America’s laborers who have their noses to the grindstone.

If you have a job and are earning a paycheck, then rejoice for your good fortune. There are many less fortunate who would love to be working who no longer have the physical or mental ability to do so.

Work is a good way to spend your time. Good honest work will keep you out of trouble and is helpful in keeping you out of a state of depression. In most situations, work is physically, mentally and emotionally healthy for people. There are always those dead-end jobs that may be very tough physically and mentally. Sometimes you may have to change jobs. In America, you can change jobs or start your own business, but you have the option of making a new plan.

My dad was a hardworking coal miner. We would have starved if he hadn’t been willing to work in underground coal mines for almost 37 years. My mother was a hard worker. Thus, we always had food to eat. Work has a payoff; you can go to the grocery store. Of course, in this economy, we haven’t been able to buy as much.

A dear friend manages a restaurant with 85 employees. Most of them are immigrants who have come into the country in the last three or four years. He said: “Without them I couldn’t operate the restaurant. They are faithful, work hard and do a good job. They also have a network of friends who want to work so I don’t have trouble filling jobs. If I had to depend on the local American people in our community, then our restaurant would never survive. The locals don’t want to work.” Sadly, I’ve heard farmers in Ohio and Indiana talk the same way. Their farming labor is dependent on the immigrants.

America will continue to be a strong and great nation if all Americans will keep working. When we hand all our labor over to others and quit working, we will lose our country.

Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. Find books by Glenn Mollette at Amazon.com. Learn more about his books, columns and music at GlennMollette.Com. Email him at gmollette@aol.com.