As the nation observes Labor Day in 2022, Eugene V. Debs must be looking on from Hell and should be very proud of the socialist advance and insidious influence upon the political realms of the United States. Many Americans are only beginning to awaken to the realization that the steady Socialist investment of energy, money and time has paid off after only 120 years. One has to admit that the Socialists have exercised great patience, as well as great diligence, in their long march to becoming a dominant force in American politics.
Debs was quite likely the most important American socialist in U.S. history. He was a labor organizer and powerful union leader who ran for U.S. president on the Socialist Party platform five times: 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912, and in 1920. His involvement and instigation of the infamous Chicago Pullman Palace Car Company strike launched him into national prominence. This strike led to deadly labor union initiated violence and serious property destruction that was even condemned by other labor unions. It also led to Labor Day.
This is solid, authentic labor history and as such it is a rare these days. Debs worked hard to lead the country to a socialist future but ultimately failed. Debs' work and 100 years of Progressivism have so undermined the foundations of the Republic that we find ourselves teetering on the edge of the future Debs sought.
