Oh, the strain, the horrible strain!
Politico reporter Mike Elk is the notoriously lethargic "labor" reporter at Politico, best known for his quote for the ages when the 28 year old of distinctly non-Stakhanovite inclinations complained that “I can’t work the kind of hours I did when I was 24.” To get an idea of the "overwork" poor Mike is subjected to, take a look at his Politico work schedule which yields a grand total of five articles in five months. Yes, that one article per month work load is driving him to despair and he has taken to Facebook to justify his extreme lethargy by citing those who died at Haymarket as having sacrificed themselves for his right to goof off:
I always find it scary when reporters look at me like I am "crazy" when I see I want to work only 40 hours a week. People died at Haymarket for the right to only 40 hours - I dont get why so many reporters are willing to be on call 24/7? Is this a reflection of the disappearing work/life boundaries that the internet has ushered or more of a reflection of the fact that the newspaper industry lost almost a third of all reporters in the last decade?
Its just truly scary how so many reporters will absolutely destroy their social lives and look at you like youre "crazy" when you say that you will only work 40 hours a week. This isn't limited to journalism, but many professions as well - the internet is the ultimate scab.
Um, Mike. Reporters are actually looking at you like you're "lazy" and see that you're only working closer to 4 minutes per week. However, pay no heed to them. They died for you at Haymarket for your right to be on a perpetual vacation. Oh, and speaking of vacations, isn't it about time for you to crowdfund another Florida vacation?
