Class warfare in America?
April 6th 2009 20:14
There have always been some Americans who think leadership is the purview of a special elite, be it economic, political, or social. There are those who tell what needs to be done, and those who do it. Like the feudal systems of yesteryear, this line of thinking holds that there are those who are destined to be in charge, regardless. Whether they truly believe that divine inspiration got them where they are (like George Bush) or just imagine themselves better because of wealth, special nature or great talents aren't the only factors that determine wealth.
What they fail to recognize is the biggest single determining factor in success in America is birth. The second is luck. If you are born into wealth, it is likely you will be wealthy. If you are born working class, odds are that's where you will stay. Of course there has always been the potential for upward mobility in America. That used to be part of America's promise.
But those who have want very much to keep their elite status, and have wormed their way into the power structure so deeply as to virtually ensure it. Ever since F.D.R. began the New Deal, those who felt they were more entitled to wealth and influence have done everything they could to break the New Deal. They made strides to that end in baby steps, until they got their main man in office, Ronald Reagan.
When Reagan was able to revamp government from the top down as a tool for enriching those who need it least, the game changed. Reaganomics was supposed to "trickle down" to everyone, but instead widened the gap between rich and poor and set the middle class on a decades-long downward spiral that accelerated greatly under George W. Bush. And regrettably enough, wasn't quelled during the Clinton years.
Finally, with more populist and progressive times upon us, the time is ripe to reverse the tide. It's not fomenting class warfare to finally be able to fight back. For unions to have a chance, after decades of attack after attack, to regain some membership. For Americans tired of being assaulted by the health care system to look for remedy. For every American to consider just what is worth what.
Is it a good idea to value wealth so much over true work, or truly socially beneficial efforts? Why is Donald Trump a hero? Why can a person become a multi-millionaire playing a sport, but can be a great teacher and possibly struggle with expenses? Why are there homeless and hungry when in-your-face wealth is displayed just down the street?
Don't get me wrong, I don't think we shouldn't reward success or hard work. We should do exactly that - not reward luck of birth or cronyism. And the work that most benefits society as a whole should be the most rewarded, not, for example, the kind of "work" that builds false wealth on financial instruments with no real backing or worth.
Of course those who claim the free-market to be the savior of all will have nothing to do with social justice. That's why I say if they want to claim class warfare, let's have at it. Workers of the world, unite!
What they fail to recognize is the biggest single determining factor in success in America is birth. The second is luck. If you are born into wealth, it is likely you will be wealthy. If you are born working class, odds are that's where you will stay. Of course there has always been the potential for upward mobility in America. That used to be part of America's promise.
But those who have want very much to keep their elite status, and have wormed their way into the power structure so deeply as to virtually ensure it. Ever since F.D.R. began the New Deal, those who felt they were more entitled to wealth and influence have done everything they could to break the New Deal. They made strides to that end in baby steps, until they got their main man in office, Ronald Reagan.
When Reagan was able to revamp government from the top down as a tool for enriching those who need it least, the game changed. Reaganomics was supposed to "trickle down" to everyone, but instead widened the gap between rich and poor and set the middle class on a decades-long downward spiral that accelerated greatly under George W. Bush. And regrettably enough, wasn't quelled during the Clinton years.
Is it a good idea to value wealth so much over true work, or truly socially beneficial efforts? Why is Donald Trump a hero? Why can a person become a multi-millionaire playing a sport, but can be a great teacher and possibly struggle with expenses? Why are there homeless and hungry when in-your-face wealth is displayed just down the street?
Don't get me wrong, I don't think we shouldn't reward success or hard work. We should do exactly that - not reward luck of birth or cronyism. And the work that most benefits society as a whole should be the most rewarded, not, for example, the kind of "work" that builds false wealth on financial instruments with no real backing or worth.
Of course those who claim the free-market to be the savior of all will have nothing to do with social justice. That's why I say if they want to claim class warfare, let's have at it. Workers of the world, unite!
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