RNC in my backyard

So, the Republican convention is taking place in St. Paul (despite some last minute changes because of Hurrican Gustav). It strikes me as very telling that the Republicans are opening the convention on Labor Day. Only the Republicans would have so little respect for a day on which we, as a country, are supposed to show our respect for hardworking people. Despite all of their talk about "hardworking" Americans, let's force all the employees of Xcel Energy center, the staff, the maintenance crew, all of the technical advisers, the foodservice staff, etc., to report for duty on one of the few paid vacation days they are supposed to have. What kind of respect does that show for workers? You couldn't wait until Tuesday and give the workers a day off? A long weekend to spend with their families? I think this small symbolic example is a symptom of something much larger - lip service to the workers, while abusing them because without their jobs, they could not survive. And Republicans are not alone in this, but have certainly done very little to ameliorate the situation of the working class over the past 8 years. Days like Labor Day have grown less and less respected over the years - instead, they have become yet another opportunity for a "sale" - so that the middle class people who have disposable income can force low wage earners to come into work on their day off. Does this say anything about the culture of disrespect we have created towards the low and middle wage earners in this country? They work, while we party. They have fewer vacation days, worse benefits, less support for their families, and just as icing on the cake, we can't give them an extra day off here and there.