Everyone Does Better When Everyone Does Better

Everyone Does Better
When Everyone Does Better

Sandlin Says America's Working Families Need A Level Playing Field To Succeed

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Max Sandlin (D-Marshall) today released the following statement in recognition of America's working families and Labor Day.

"Working Americans built this country and remain the backbone of this great nation. In 1894 Congress approved a holiday designed to honor America's workingmen and women and foster the feeling of brotherhood among the different crafts.

In the 110 years since then, Labor Day has remained the time to honor the generations before us who built America and whose proud work has given us the standard of living we cherish today. This year, Labor Day should also be a time to rededicate ourselves to improving the lives of working families.

"As one of our great Presidents, Teddy Roosevelt, said over a hundred years ago, far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. Unfortunately, today too many Americans are having a hard time finding Teddy's cherished 'work worth doing.' Too often now days, it seems like we are re-fighting the same battles workers fought more than 100 years ago instead of moving forwards towards a better future.

"We all know that, with an even playing field, American workers can compete with, and succeed against, anyone, anywhere else in the world. But they aren't being given an even playing field. In fact, free trade policies over the last decade have actually encouraged and abetted the creation of an uneven playing field for America's working families.

"We can do better.

"A wise old friend of mine has a saying that I just love. He says that everyone does better when everyone does better. It takes a second for that to sink in, but when it does, it's clear that he is absolutely correct.

"Everyone does better when everyone does better. This labor day, it is time for all of us to take that to heart. America can do better. That's why I have fought, and will continue to fight, to create jobs and to preserve the fundamental freedoms enjoyed by working Americans, including the right to quality health care, the right to safe workplaces, unemployment insurance, overtime pay and the sanctity of the 40-hour workweek.

"This Labor Day, we must truly honor America's working families with action worthy of their contributions to our country."