27 ms·

What exactly is the problem here? That middle American whites are falling out of the middle class? Or that the middle class is less white? Those are just two in

by nkrisc 7y ago

What exactly is the problem here? That middle American whites are falling out of the middle class? Or that the middle class is less white? Those are just two interpretations I could think of, but I am genuinely curious about what problem specifically you say Democrats are ignoring?

corporateslave5 7y ago
The current white working class in the Midwest was at one time, not too long ago, the economic backbone of this country. Economic policies propelling forward globalization directly destroyed the economic livelihoods of those people. And now we’re being told it’s racist to complain about, racist to argue against policies that are destroying the Midwest.
- ianai 7y ago
  Actually the destruction was headed for us when billions of people overseas were going to rapidly develop to our level of technology. There’s only a few hundred million of us and over a billion more of them. The US positioned itself to be in the best possible posture as the market leader through setting the terms early to benefit themselves just enough, but also lenient enough to keep our real pressures for disruption. There’s a good Frontline episode with Kissinger about granting China MFN status. He clearly saw the writing on the wall.
rpedela 7y ago
If you drive through small to medium sized towns in Ohio, Indiana, etc you will often find a closed factory, mill, or some other manufacturing building that used to employ most of the town. But the jobs were shipped overseas or eliminated by automation, and the town is very poor and run down now. Previously the jobs paid a good wage and most of the town were middle class or upper middle class. Now they are largely lower class and are mad as hell about it. Most Democrats blame racism, lack of education, etc on why Trump won. No Trump won because the people in those towns want to be middle class again and he campaigned on helping them. Clinton campaigned on helping the generic poor just like most of the current candidates except Yang. Trump clearly hasn't helped them but Democrats need a candidate who speaks directly to them too.

by nkrisc 7y ago

corporateslave5 7y ago

The current white working class in the Midwest was at one time, not too long ago, the economic backbone of this country. Economic policies propelling forward globalization directly destroyed the economic livelihoods of those people. And now we’re being told it’s racist to complain about, racist to argue against policies that are destroying the Midwest.

ianai 7y ago
Actually the destruction was headed for us when billions of people overseas were going to rapidly develop to our level of technology. There’s only a few hundred million of us and over a billion more of them. The US positioned itself to be in the best possible posture as the market leader through setting the terms early to benefit themselves just enough, but also lenient enough to keep our real pressures for disruption. There’s a good Frontline episode with Kissinger about granting China MFN status. He clearly saw the writing on the wall.

rpedela 7y ago

If you drive through small to medium sized towns in Ohio, Indiana, etc you will often find a closed factory, mill, or some other manufacturing building that used to employ most of the town. But the jobs were shipped overseas or eliminated by automation, and the town is very poor and run down now. Previously the jobs paid a good wage and most of the town were middle class or upper middle class. Now they are largely lower class and are mad as hell about it. Most Democrats blame racism, lack of education, etc on why Trump won. No Trump won because the people in those towns want to be middle class again and he campaigned on helping them. Clinton campaigned on helping the generic poor just like most of the current candidates except Yang. Trump clearly hasn't helped them but Democrats need a candidate who speaks directly to them too.