Where's pride in our work?

Regarding the editorial "Balancing Work and Vacation," Aug. 6: True, some Americans, including many farmers, work long, long hours. It's worth noting that these men and women are proud of their work, and this farming sector of the US economy is a world leader - despite price worries and uncertainty of weather.Could the philosophy of high wage demands and shorter work weeks in many economic sectors, in reality, be contributing to the demise of US competitiveness? These demands have paralleled the fall of the US automobile and tractor industries. Whatever happened to the "joy of work" and recognizing the fulfillment and self-esteem that are products of useful work? If America isn't willing to work and enjoy it, other nations will, and our standard of living will fall. Robert R. Spitzer, Burlington, Wis.

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