It’s Time For a Better Holiday Than Labor Day
by Brett Linley
Aside from the day off, Labor Day isn’t good for very much. Labor unions, understandably, created Labor Day for their own interests. Instead of celebrating these economic-inhibitors, we should be celebrating symbols of freedom. Below are some suggestions for better days we lovers of liberty can truly appreciate.
1. October 10: Publishing Date of Atlas Shrugged
Few novels have inspired more generations of libertarians than Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. As her magnum opus, published in 1957, the book portrays a struggle against collectivists and oppressive government. Freedom-fighters, from Paul Ryan to Ron Paul, have professed the effect the book had on their values. The book draws the line between invasive government and business.
It separates the collectivist from the individual. We should celebrate the publication that set to cast of the parasites of a man’s labor. Instead of holding up those who leech off of individual creativity, we should glorify the creators themselves.
2. December 11: Founding Day of the Libertarian Party
On this fateful day in 1971, the Libertarian Party was officially founded in Colorado Springs. Colorado. Truly, the LP is the only existing party which truly advocates for individual freedom. The LP hasn’t found much electoral success. However, they have been a steadfast ally of freedom-fighters across the US.
As it stands, they are the only party pushing a freedom agenda this election cycle. Without them, libertarians would have no logical alternative to Clinton or Trump. Indeed, a strong showing by presidential candidate Gary Johnson could finally vindicate their founding. Instead of a holiday that does little to advance the cause of freedom, the LP’s founding date would be a vast improvement.
3. October 9: F.A. Hayek Announced as Co-Recipient of Nobel Prize in Economics
Few people have done as much for libertarianism as F.A. Hayek. As a major proponent of Austrian Economics, Hayek spent his life promoting a message of freedom. Truly, receiving the 1974 Nobel Prize validated much of what Hayek stood for. The award led to his famous speech, The Pretense of Knowledge.
While Hayek doesn’t always get as much credit as fellow Austrians like Ludwig von Mises or Murray Rothbard, he should. In reality, there would be no better way to honor his legacy than with a holiday commemorating his Nobel Prize. While labor unions tend to run contrary to economic logic, Hayek was the definition of it.
4. January 20: Barry Goldwater Announces Bid for Republican Nomination
On this day in 1964, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater began his presidential bid. As many remember, it was a losing effort. However, no one can deny the path he set for the Republican Party. Goldwater delivered the famous line, “extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” As many point out, Goldwater set the stage for the Reagan revolution almost 20 years later.
Certainly, there have been more libertarian figures than Goldwater or Reagan. However, their brand of conservatism was a vast departure from the business-as-usual Republicans. Without Goldwater, it’s hard to imagine how much worse the GOP would be today. Despite his ultimate loss, his bid is worth commemorating.
5. September 20: Whole Foods Founded
While it may not seem it at first, this day from 1980 should be commemorated on libertarian grounds. Its co-founder, in fact, is an avowed libertarian. Whole Foods co-CEO, John Mackey, promotes the idea of “conscious capitalism.” Opposed to the Marxian view of a class struggle, Mackey promotes a society where labor and business work together.
He advocates corporations treating their employees well and like human beings. It’s not because he’s some big-labor hippy. It’s because he understands that treating employees with dignity creates value. What’s more, he understands that the best vehicle for this is the free market. Whole Foods gave Mackey a platform to show how conscious capitalism can work. For that, the date should be celebrated.
6. October 14: Milton Friedman Announced as Recipient of Nobel Prize in Economics
Shortly after Hayek, libertarian Milton Friedman received a Nobel Prize of his own in 1976. A noted economist from the Chicago School, Friedman played a great part in making libertarian ideas “mainstream.” While some don’t view Friedman as the quintessential libertarian, Friedman deserves more recognition.
With his advocacy, Friedman helped push ideas like school choice and the end of military conscription. His Nobel Prize was an important part of his legacy and legitimacy. Friedman played a large part in promoting many of the freedoms we enjoy today. His Nobel Prize announcement deserves to be celebrated above a holiday for labor unions.
7. August 13: First Episode of South Park Airs
South Park aired its first episode on this day in 1997, forever shattering what we thought about political correctness. With writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone at the helm, the show aired Cartman Gets an Anal Probe and never looked back. Almost 20 years later, South Park still holds a place in American culture.
To this day, the show continues to take down P.C. values. The show deserves to be remembered with its own holiday for radically (and humorously) assaulting liberals and conservatives alike.
8. February 3: Birth of the Income Tax (National Theft Day)
In 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment was passed. With this amendment, Congress could officially levy an income tax. This day should not be celebrated, but it should be remembered. Every year, Americans should take time to think about how the government plunders their paycheck.
Too many people take the income tax for granted as a part of their lives. In reality, it is a fairly recent part of our history. A day commemorating this theft could lead to a greater movement advocating for its ultimate repeal.
9. December 23: Birth of the Federal Reserve
Like the 16th amendment, the birth of the Federal Reserve banking system is no cause for celebration. However, it still merits a national holiday. Americans need to take pause to consider the implications of such an institution.
The Fed contributes to the devaluation of our currency and rough business cycles. If enough Americans knew about it, there would certainly be outrage. A national holiday “commemorating” the Fed would help bring light to the movement to End the Fed.
10. August 20: Ron Paul’s Birthday
The man. The myth. The legend. As the “godfather” of the Tea Party, Ron Paul sparked a revolution that will never be forgotten. On this day in 1935, a presidential candidate was born.
Despite being out of the party mainstream, Paul ran to fundamentally change the GOP. From foreign policy to the drug war, he ran on the principles of freedom. He brought many to the liberty movement. A national holiday should commemorate his birth. As he showed, the free market is the true friend of labor.