What Happened to Sundays?

I distinctly remember many Sundays when I was a kid... everyone had the day off and families could always get together on that day. All the stores were closed...and people were okay with that. They simply did their shopping and errands on another day. Sundays were reserved for downtime. The practice of keeping businesses closed on Sundays was known here in the States as the "blue laws." Sadly, somewhere along the line, Sundays became just another day for our capitalistic country to make money. Most stores and services today (except banks, schools, and government offices) have SOME hours on Sunday. Now getting together with family is more difficult because there is always someone who works on Sunday.

Maybe our country would be a better place if we took some of the lessons of the past and put them into action today. Everyone deserves a day with their family, friends, and loved ones. Everyone deserves a day reserved for downtime. I'm all for bringing them back. I realize this may inconvenience a lot of people, but hear me out. I believe the benefits of reinstating "closed on Sundays" would be beneficial to us all. 

1. Reduced Sunday Traffic

How peaceful it would be if stores were closed on Sunday again. No one hitting the roads early for those early morning specials. There might also be less obnoxious advertising in the Sunday papers.

2. More Time to Spend With, Not Spend On

Before the repeal of the blue laws, people would attend religious services, then share a meal with family and/or friends. Without a place to go to needlessly spend their money, people might actually rekindle more productive activities and get a life towards the end of the weekend. 

3. A Break for Service People

Take it from someone who worked in the retail/restaurant for several years - anyone working a service job deserves a guaranteed day off each week. Hotels are open 24/7, but retail workers should get a break like the rest of us.

Of course, the downside to bringing back the blue laws is that the stores and roads will suddenly be flooded with even more people during the work week and on Saturdays. In my opinion, that's a small price to pay for one day of mandatory sanity every seven days.