Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Most poor people in America are white-and Bernie Sanders knows it


As a democratic socialist myself I have believed for decades now that neo-liberal " identity politics " is a fatuous distraction from the more fundamental issues of unacceptable economic inequality in this capitalist society.

   Many young blacks face police brutality routinely- even with a " supportive " black president in the White House- because poverty-more than race- confines them to poor neighborhoods with a predictably high crime rate. Donald Trump did not create the injustice decried by " Black Lives Matter " groups.

    Why has the condition of black Americans deteriorated despite 16 years of the Clintons and the presidency of Barack Obama ?

    A class analysis of racism is necessary. In the final analysis class division explains the racial divide.In the last year of his life ( 1965 ) Malcolm X made a connection between capitalism and racism, between imperialism abroad and racism.

    Most poor people in America are white. Tell a jobless, homeless, hopeless ,
white person that he benefits from " white privilege ". Tell poor whites in the American prison system - a national disgrace- that they are treated so much better than black prisoners.

    Any self-described " democratic socialist " knows better than to pander to any particular race or ethnic group. And even the modern feminist movement should remind Hillary that in the beginning " women's liberation " was inspired by militant, socialist women.

    Bernie Sanders is still doing remarkably well in these Democratic primaries and caucuses . He raises the issue of general economic unfairness. Bernie should stay on message. I expect him to win the Rhode Island Democratic Primary here.

    Hillary supporter Governor Gina Raimondo is increasingly unpopular with her very illiberal cuts in benefits and senior citizen " entitlements " like free RIPTA bus passes. Elderly Democratic voters are thinking : " with friends like these.... " .

    The neo-Democrats are often exquisitely politically correct- but they still wage war on the poor and the working class.Not for nothing Republican Donald Trump is leading in polls here. A year of the " Angry Voter " in Rhode Island too.

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Ron