Because It Is Never About Class
Pundits and Plutocrats agree: Let’s not talk about income inequality.
White House officials say the change in the president’s rhetoric was driven by a desire to focus not just on the problem — economic inequality — but also on solutions that could address it. Others close to the White House contend that the move is at least partly driven by Democratic polling that found that talking about income inequality does not register strongly with the American public and risks accusations of class warfare.
“It was clear in 2013 that income inequality was the top narrative for the White House, but they abruptly switched away from it,” said Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank that has advised the White House and Democrats to avoid excessive populism. “Income inequality seems like it’s on the back burner now — at least in terms of their rhetoric.”
The shift hints at a broader repositioning of Democratic messaging ahead of the midterm elections and, perhaps, the 2016 presidential race. House and Senate strategists and their pollsters have concluded that they should focus less on the wealth gap and more on emphasizing that all Americans should have economic “opportunity” to get ahead or a “fair shot.”
Oh, yes, run away from the very real truth that there is class warfare, and the rich are winning. Income inequality and the wealth gap—the issue that got people to the polls for the 2012 elections, and which resonated with everyone in red and blue states and of all political stripes—should be avoided. We cannot have the little people agitated, now can we?
Wall Street Senator Charles Schumer is in good voice and knows his aria well:
“Both the White House and the Senate agreed that the decline of middle-class incomes was the most serious issue we face in this country, but the focus had to be on how to get middle-class incomes up, rather than drive other people’s incomes down,” said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), the messaging chief for Senate Democrats.
He added, “There are some who believe it’s better to talk about the negative parts of wealth that people have accumulated, but our polling data show people care less about that and more about how we’re going to help them.”
“We polled the boards at JPMorgan and Citibank,” Schumer did not say, “and it was 100% in favor of not talking about income gaps.” Schumer did not add, “Pass the caviar.”
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By: Tengrain
Fully caffeinated with twice the sugar, unabashedly liberal. Award-winning Americans United blogger, blogs at Mock Paper Scissors, and sometimes at Crooks and Liars.
You can follow @Tengrain on Twitter, or you might see him enjoying coffee somewhere in Seattle at any given moment of the day.
9 responses to Because It Is Never About Class
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mea_mark July 6th, 2014 at 20:21
Then tell them you are putting the money back in circulation for all to use. Don’t tell them you are taking it away from greedy hoarders that like to sit on huge stacks of money because it feeds their egos. Come on people, get real.
mea_mark July 6th, 2014 at 20:21
Then tell them you are putting the money back in circulation for all to use. Don’t tell them you are taking it away from greedy hoarders that like to sit on huge stacks of money because it feeds their egos. Come on people, get real.
Eric Trommater July 6th, 2014 at 20:48
Income inequality is a big loser when it comes to the polls. It just is and it never works as an election strategy. It’s a sad fact but the people who are most endangered by income inequality are the ones least willing to listen to the message. “Going after fat cats” is a good rabble rowser but it never seems to connect with voters. Even Franklin Roosevelt found that his class based campaign lost him 71 seats in the House and 6 in the Senate in 1938. Why?
Because it’s “too big.” People don’t feel politicians can actually do anything about it and so candidates who stir up anger over the very real problem end up looking impotent in the face of the problem when all they can do is propose legislation that nibbles around the edges of the issue. The hope that one day you too will be rich is strong enough to overcome the idea that somehow a magic wand can be waived and close the income gap. Kennedy’s message of a rising tide lifting all boats struck a cord because it was a realistic trade off: yes the rich will get richer but at least I will do better as well.
Eric Trommater July 6th, 2014 at 20:48
Income inequality is a big loser when it comes to the polls. It just is and it never works as an election strategy. It’s a sad fact but the people who are most endangered by income inequality are the ones least willing to listen to the message. “Going after fat cats” is a good rabble rowser but it never seems to connect with voters. Even Franklin Roosevelt found that his class based campaign lost him 71 seats in the House and 6 in the Senate in 1938. Why?
Because it’s “too big.” People don’t feel politicians can actually do anything about it and so candidates who stir up anger over the very real problem end up looking impotent in the face of the problem when all they can do is propose legislation that nibbles around the edges of the issue. The hope that one day you too will be rich is strong enough to overcome the idea that somehow a magic wand can be waived and close the income gap. Kennedy’s message of a rising tide lifting all boats struck a cord because it was a realistic trade off: yes the rich will get richer but at least I will do better as well.
Jake July 6th, 2014 at 21:40
What exactly is wrong with class warfare anyway? Ronald Reagan declared war on the middle class and I chose to fight back. We will get America back from them one day. We shall overcome!
fahvel July 7th, 2014 at 02:29
sadly we shall overcome does not work – sounds great! but nothing will change until the tiny bunch on top self implode and go the way or Louies and the Tsars – strangled by their own gluttony – and, surprise, replaced by their clones in modern day garments. Good luck.
fancypants July 7th, 2014 at 01:01
Who would ever thought Queensryche got it right ? crank it up it a good one !
http://youtu.be/6_ffbCnooEM
fancypants July 7th, 2014 at 01:01
Who would ever thought Queensryche got it right ? crank it up it a good one !
http://youtu.be/6_ffbCnooEM
fahvel July 7th, 2014 at 02:29
sadly we shall overcome does not work – sounds great! but nothing will change until the tiny bunch on top self implode and go the way or Louies and the Tsars – strangled by their own gluttony – and, surprise, replaced by their clones in modern day garments. Good luck.