Lawrence: As we've discussed elsewhere, some
Marxist ideals like the 8 hour working day have
been incorporated into American Society.
May Day originated in the United States with trade
unions and the socialist and anarchist movements
organizing for the 8-hour work day. Mostly
forgotten now, it's as much a part of our culture
as bootstrap capitalism.
For too long, I think, our media culture has
emphasized only one aspect of the American ideal,
that of individual initiative. We are also a
country that thrived through the creation of
fraternal orders, trade guilds (such as the one
Ben Franklin formed), and other voluntary
associations.
Americans go out and get things done. We also help
each other.
Anecdotal: I have friends and acquaintances who
are doctors working in a large hospital here in
Manhattan. The doctors come from all over the
world for residencies--India, Pakistan, Iran,
Syria, South America. All of them say they prefer
working with the American residents because
Americans help each other, don't try to impose
their caste systems or other cultural baggage.
By stressing only the independent, pioneering
aspect of American life, I think Lawrence is
underestimating the degree to which this country
has flourished as a result of cooperation and
mutual aid. They go together. They work together
and moderate each other. At least that was our
heritage before 1980.
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