And we’re gonna get… uh, domestic partnered…

The Oregon legislature has finalized legislation to set up a system under which same-sex couples will enjoy the legal benefits of marriage. While this is a sort of “separate but equal” treatment for gays and lesbians, it at least gives all citizens equal footing under state law regarding child custody, insurance, inheritance, visitation in the hospital, etc. Governor Ted Kulongoski has said he will sign the bill into law.

As a happily married heterosexual, I’ve always been baffled by the notion that gay marriage is a threat to “traditional” marriage. How in the world could my marriage be threatened by allowing other loving couples to enjoy similar benefits?

Congratulations to all those who worked long and hard for this small step forward on the road to equal rights for all citizens.

Today is a good day to reflect on all the good tidings brought to us by the labor movement. The eight-hour work day. The weekend. Child labor laws.

We should also reflect on the fact that in much of the world, workers do not enjoy these benefits. And let’s not forget that workers’ rights in the US have been under siege over the last few decades, with serious erosion of the right to organize in the work place, as well as in pay and benefits. We work longer hours for less pay than we did 30 years ago, and job security is non-existent.

The gap between obscene salaries paid to CEOs and regular workers just keeps getting wider, and is mirrored by the gap between take-home pay and bills most of us are accustomed to.

So consider this, working people of the world: We are the vast majority of humanity. The wealthiest two percent of the world, the idle rich, cannot control things without our consent (witting or subconscious). The power is ours, but only if we gather our voices in solidarity and cry “ENOUGH!”

Here’s a little history lesson from the IWW on this International Workers’ Day 2007. Have a great day, but take a moment to remember the people who died so that you can enjoy your weekend, send your kids to school instead of the factory, and be home in time for supper.