Even if we don't belong to a union or have a family member who does, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the labor movement. As a result of labor's efforts and sacrifices we are able to achieve a stronger middle class, a healthier nation and, ultimately, a stronger economy. I see the labor movement as critical to our current economic recovery efforts and we need to see to it that the Employee Free Choice Act is passed so it's easier for workers to organize.

Our current economic crisis is partially rooted in the policies of the last few decades that have undermined organized labor. We have allowed the most selfish and corrupt individuals to write their own rules and, thereby, have been living in an era of corporate crony capitalism which deviates far to the right of fair market capitalism which is supposed to be how we do business as Americans. These people have outsourced many of our good paying jobs with fair benefits. It's harder and harder all the time for a person who isn't cut out for college and just wants to work to get a fair shake. Many of those among us earn low wages, get raises that don't keep up with inflation, have no health insurance or maybe they have health insurance but it's inadequate. Greedy health insurance companies have a lot to do with health care inflation growing at a rate that doubles that of general inflation, but hard working people who have no insurance are often forced to seek care in the most expensive fashion: the emergency room. When they can't pay their bills and file for bankruptcy, the government subsidizes the facility and they raise the prices of goods and services to make up the difference. In that way, we already have universal health care but in the most inefficient and expensive form possible and have 16% of our gross domestic profit tied up in the health care industry.

I miss seeing as many labels that say "Built With Pride in the USA" as I did growing up. It's unfortunate that we have to settle for all of these cheaply manufactured, imported goods that are often unsafe for our children. I get excited when I am able to buy something that's union made in the USA because I know the people who worked to build it aren't exploited and earn a living wage with fair benefits. I hope one day we will be able to get back to making more quality goods as a nation, because there's no way our economy can survive providing services alone.

As a nurse, I realize that one of my most important roles is that of patient advocate. I am glad to be a part of a profession that serves others in such a vital way. I have witnessed the last decade or so as the labor movement has helped nurses and other health care providers stand up for and protect their patients. Where need be, nurses have organized to prevent dangerously low staffing levels, eliminate mandatory overtime that leads to unsafe care delivery by fatigued practitioners, ensure workplace safety and secure adequate worker's compensation.

A stronger, larger middle class is good for the poor and wealthy, too, in terms of sustainability. As I once heard one of elders say, "When we all do better, we all do better."