Why can't we all take a long weekend off?

Is anyone working today? I am. Bummer. Many people I know are taking part of today and Monday off -- officially and unofficially. That adds up to a four-day weekend. Must be nice.
So I propose: On holidays that fall on a Tuesday or Thursday, can't we all agree to take a second day off? Kind of like the Thanksgiving holiday, when Friday is used to digest the previous day's feast.
It's not like people forced to stay behind in offices are actually doing real work. We're only pretending we are.