Politics of Redistribution: Economy Drives Both Parties to Class Warfare

Contrary to what our Senate Majority "Leader" might lead you to believe, there really are some thoughtful political animals in the greater Wentworth metropolitan area.

Wentworth neighbor and retired political science professor Stephen Snyder enters the blogosphere to posit that the financial crisis of 2008 shifted us from a politics of distribution to a politics of redistribution. To protect benefits for their constituencies, both Democrats and Republicans have resorted to class warfare. Of course the Republicans, says Snyder, have resorted to cynical smokescreen (or should I say dust-screen, Kristi?) that hide their real intent to redistribute more wealth to the wealthy:

Over the years, Republicans have covered their bias toward upper classes by trying to focus elections on social issues such as fear of communism, fear of unions, fear of crime, fear of affirmative action for women and minorities, fear of homosexuality, fear of immigration, Muslims, abortion, etc. These so-called "wedge" issues appealed to many traditional lower- middle class Democratic constituencies and divided this traditional Democratic voter base. However, economic issues such as prolonged unemployment, reduced opportunities for our young people, growing economic insecurity for the middle and lower classes and the increasing concentration of wealth in the upper classes are likely to override social issues as a concern for many voters and may well help overcome America's traditional aversion to class politics [Stephen Snyder, "The Politics of Redistribution: Threat to the Safety Net," Toward a More Just Future, 2011.10.31].

Snyder's interpretation perhaps supports the validity of the Occupy Wall Street movement's claim that "We are the 99%!" The Republicans represent a narrow group of wealthy interests. They know they are in the minority, taking wealth from a majority of working folks. They know that if the majority wakes up, puts aside other differences, and fights for everyone's basic economic and human rights, that rich minority is toast. That's why they crank up the noise machine against the Occupy movement. That's why they try to divert our attention with efforts to endow a fertilized cell with human rights (a position almost as absurd as endowing a corporation with personhood).

Snyder, bless him, tells the President to fight fire with fire:

Hopefully President Obama will provide leadership to mobilize the interests of the lower and middle classes in the upcoming elections. If he and other Democrats can mobilize these classes around the politics of redistribution he may yet have a chance for re-election [Snyder, 2011.10.31].

Yes, class warfare is afoot. And it's suicide for President Obama, Democrats, and the majority working class not to fight back.