Juneteenth

Considering the kerfuffle over the Juneteenth celebrations last weekend, I thought I'd put in my $0.02.

The day is a fitting celebration for the end of slavery.  Every American should celebrate that occasion regardless of race.  It is a piece of American history and our national heritage.

However, it should not be a holiday that is marked by a paid day off for federal government employees.  That isn't a comment about the holiday's importance or relevance.  It is a comment about how federal employees get ten paid holidays; several of which are not holidays for most private employers.  That should not be increased to eleven.  Nor am I interested in displacing a currently established federal holiday.

Our nation celebrates a great many holidays (both secular and religious) without giving federal employees the day off.  We can and should celebrate this one as well.