Civics, 1st Period - Friday

[imafuturist]

"Hello," Steve said with a tiny smile, sipping from his coffee. "Monday is a federal holiday: either Columbus Day or Indigineous People's Day, depending where you are in the US."

"It's Discoverer's Day in Hawaii," Tony added brightly. "So today we'll discuss how such a holiday came to be federally mandated as a day off. There are a few of them coming up soon with Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas."

"It's not just because sometimes we need a day off," Steve said. "Congress has the power to designate a new federal holiday. It has authority to create holidays only for federal institutions (including federally owned properties) and employees, and for the District of Columbia. But as a general rule other institutions, including banks, post offices, and schools, may be closed on those days. Columbus Day has been falling out of favor as a national holiday, due to Columbus being kind of a huge jerk."

Tony nodded along with that explanation. "Originally it was just New Years Day, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. More have been added since then with the most recent being the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr in the 80s."

You know, when politicians patted themselves on the back for fixing racism with that move.

"There is an argument every year that Election Day should also be a federal holiday," Steve said. "What do you think the arguments for and against that might be? Bear in mind that Veterans Day is also in November, and so is Thanksgiving."

"And that private businesses aren't obligated to close on federal holidays," Tony said. "Which means that many people will still be working either way."

Comments

Discuss

[imafuturist]

Do you think Election Day should be a holiday?

Re: Discuss

[white_oleander]

"Isn't Election Day in the States on a Tuesday?" Astrid ventured. She didn't exactly pay attention to a lot of things like that, but she thought she knew at least that much. "Why is that? It seems like a weekend would make more sense."

Re: Discuss

[imafuturist]

Yes, Tony was shamelessly checking this fact on his phone.

"It was picked back in 19th century all when travel from the less metropolitan areas in to vote meant it might take a day. Sunday was meant for church and Wednesday was, traditionally, a day for market. Tuesday was chosen as a sort of compromise between these two things and it hasn't changed since."

Re: Discuss

[white_oleander]

"So...." Astrid slowly said as she thought about that, "so like Daylight Savings Time or the whole thing with judges living so much longer now than they did when they were originally appointed for life." Look at her, referencing back to a previous class and everything! "Relics from our past that haven't changed due to our American insistence on tradition...or, more likely, our American dedication to laziness."

Re: Discuss

[imafuturist]

"Bingo!" Oh, America. Land if the free and all that.

Re: Discuss

[midichlorianfail]

Theron was still completely not in a funk at all, but at least he was more verbal now.

"Not having it be one seems like a good way to stop people voting."

Re: Discuss

[imafuturist]

Oh, Theron. Don't make Tony mother parent you in an awkward fashion.

"Do you think that was the original intention or a more modern one?"

Re: Discuss

[midichlorianfail]

Given Theron's track record with parental figures, that way led only to heartbreak.

Theron shrugged. "Does it make much of a difference if the end result's the same?"

Re: Discuss

[imafuturist]

Hey, they could have a club!

"Fair point. Do you think it should be changed or is it too late to do that?"

Re: Discuss

[midichlorianfail]

"It probably should," Theron said. "If it will depends entirely on if those in power think they'd benefit from more people being able to vote."

Outlook not so great.