The unmistakable conclusion from all these data is that no rebellion against the power elites running the two-party plutocracy seems likely. If the bottom 40 percent of Americans in terms of income still believe in the American dream and change-spouting politicians like Obama, it is hard to believe that the more affluent middle 40 percent of the population are ready to support more radical change through political rebellion.
Interesting how gasoline prices are dropping as we approach the Republican and Democratic conventions and Election Day. Apparently, America’s ruling class knows what it is doing. It can keep channeling more and more of the nation’s wealth to the rich, Upper Class producing more economic inequality without fearing the kind of political revolution that Thomas Jefferson thought the nation needs periodically. Consider this: In the three decades after World War II household inflation-adjusted income of the bottom 90 percent increased 83 percent compared to 20 percent increase for the top 10 percent. In contrast, in the past three decades, the bottom 90 percent saw only a 10 percent increase while the top 10 percent received an increase of 232 percent! The two-party stranglehold on our political system has produced rising economic inequality.
Forget all that nonsense about the proletariat. Most Americans use their faith in God or religion or conventional politicians to cope, even in some of the most insecure economic times in American history. The ruling class has successfully used propaganda to dumb down and manipulate most of the public and delusion has become the opiate of the masses.
In God and Barack Obama We Trust could be placed on all our currency if the views of millions of Americans are taken seriously. Don’t you feel better?
Article comments
1 - Dave Nalle
Joel, I know you keep a copy of Das Kapital by your bedside. So is it really necessary to reiterate one of the few things Marx got right, that "religion is the opiate of the masses"?
That said, I apreciate that you've compiled all of this data for us. Pity you missed the actual significance of it. What you seem not to see here is that the 'working poor' are smarter than you or the rest of the socialist left think they are. They are optimistic specifically because they know that they can't count on a government handout and that they have the opportunity to get a second job or work more hours or look for better work and advance themselves without depending on government, and that makes them feel responsible and in control and capable of achieving the Amnerican dream FOR THEMSELVES.
They don't want a handout or the false hope that socialism offers. It is being responsible for their own welfare and having the opportunities which a free labor market offers them which GIVES them the hope that they have. When will this get through to you socialists?
Dave
2 - Dan Miller
While doing intensive academic research at an esteemed University, I happened upon the Original Declaration of Independence. It is quoted in part below:
Dan
3 - Clavos
LOL!
Very funny (and dead on), Dan.
4 - bliffle
It appears that the majority of US citizens have been dissuaded from active participation in political matters. Perhaps they are too busy defending what they have to struggle for more. Perhaps they would rather watch Paris Hilton on TV in hopes of spying some cleavage, if only to fume at such scandals.
It's not for lack of opinions. they all seem to have opinions. For those few of us who have actually marched around the neighborhood with a clipboard and petition and pen for signatures, we always get stopped by long diatribes from homeowners as they unburden themselves of bottled up resentments. But the ones who talk the most usually sign the least, so you have to be skilled at getting out. Also, if you hope to make a sale you have to figure out a ploy. I like to use money: "if they build that new $3million subdivision across the street EVERYONEs property taxes will go up. Pretty soon that little 500k house of yours and mine will be afflicted by the same tax scale as for the Mcmansion. And the damn things will blight your sightlines and clog the roads for good measure!"
But there's a difference these days. People are too cynical or discouraged to seek improvement through political activism. A right not exercised is a right soon lost. Maybe, maybe not. Seems like inevitably the Powers That Be overplay their hand and there's an outraged uprising. We can only hope.
5 - Clavos
God (or whomever) bless the starry-eyed idealists; the Seekers of Truth, the Believers in the Inherent Goodness of Man, The Meaning of Life, the Benevolence of the State.
Without them, what would we do for amusement?
6 - suppose
Mr. Hirschorn:
Karl Marx would be most proud of you.