Tuesday, March 1, 2016

The ruined American middle class is listening with its RIGHT and LEFT ears to Trump and Sanders

   The explanation for Trump's popularity is the same as the explanation for " political revolution " in the Democratic Party. The " common people " are fed up with establishment politicians. The fear of the masses in a " democracy " takes on the form of a fear of " the mob ".


      The crisis of capitalism inspires two solutions: the extreme nationalism of Donald Trump- " make America great again" ( right out of the Sinclair Lewis novel " It Can't Happen Here ") and the " the share the wealth " solution of  " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders. Bernie is all for civility and even moderation in  radical change. But in the Depression Era 1930s there was also " share the wealth " Huey Long.


     Both Trump and Sanders can inspire the formation of " independent " third parties-  independent of the " establishment " ruling class.


      As a democratic socialist myself I am a critical supporter of Bernie Sanders. He at least rises above fatuous identity politics.


      The really big issue is the death of the American Dream.


      A now mostly ruined middle class is probably listening to both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.


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Ron