Millions of essential workers, first responders clocking in on Christmas Day
This story raises questions about governance, accountability, and American values.
Millions of Americans are working today, with roughly 10% of the labor force and 16 million first responders clocking in for the holiday.
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HeadtopicsHow We See It
New Republican Times Editorial Board
why does so much of modern life now require a 24/7 workforce to keep the lights on for everyone else?
We can honor nurses, police, and line crews without pretending every “essential” shift is unavoidable. When businesses and bureaucracies label more roles essential, families absorb the cost in missed dinners and burnout. A society that can’t pause is not automatically a healthier one.
Conservatives focus on fairness for working families, public trust in institutions, and respect for faith and community life. That means clear definitions of essential services, honest accounting of staffing needs, and pay policies that reward true necessity, not convenience.
Gratitude matters, but so does institutional restraint. The principle at stake is whether our culture serves people, or schedules do.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.