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.