Whatever Happened to Labor Day?

Labor Day was originally a day set aside in September so that working people could count on at least one day off each year that was not Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day. So why are so many businesses always open on this day?

Apart from banks and government offices, it seems like almost every business from grocery stores to video rental shops is open at least part-time* on Labor Day and while this must be most convenient to those few working stiffs who actually have the day off yet still feel the need to run errands, it's not so convenient to the many working stiffs who actually have to work that day.

Ironically, the best way to assure that you won't have to work on Labor Day is to become a member of management. Because managers rarely have to work on Labor Day while laborers more often than not do.

What else can I say about all this except, "Heh. Irony"?

* Slightly less than 24 hours, at least according to the New Math.