The Haves and the Have-Nots

[AmericanActivist]

For approximately 25 years, the bulk of my adult life here in the USA, I have had this idea that somehow, someday there would be a clash between the haves and the have-nots. The tensions have been brewing for decades. I am not an economist yet the circumstances are plain as the noses on our faces. If I were gifted in economic language and theory I could give details about precipitating factors. A few things that come to mind from a lay person’s perspective are: deregulation by Reagan, Union busting, lack of living wage, wages that haven’t kept up with cost of living, the intentional destruction of our economy by GOP during W’s terms and now Trump, an economic atmosphere that is stacked against working class...to name a few things. This Tax Heist is an abomination and an afront. I wonder if this will be the impetus for the fight I have anticipated for decades, one that would eventually, inevitably happen?

[WorkDoctor]

1. wondering what it will take

I'm older than you. Make that 40 years of exasperation starting in the late 70's inflationary times under Carter. I, too, have wondered what it would take to put millions of Americans on the streets to protest economic disparity and unfairness. The Women's March after trump's inauguration was a good sign. But we have the highest inequality in the western world. The new tax bill will worsen it. The French protest on a dime and get anti-worker rules reversed. I'd like to see this happen more in our alleged democracy. Why are we too complacent? What's more, why is the general public so gullible and susceptible to obvious lies?

[bdamomma]

2. Welcome to DU

perhaps the onslaught of right wing filth being on the airwaves for so many years. But we will/are getting to the boiling point this cannot stand. Esp. with such an a$$ we got squatting in our WH.

[AmericanActivist]

6. Thanks for the welcome

Yes right wing lies and propaganda on Fox for decades unchecked is certainly a contributing factor.

[Stargazer99]

3. Lack of critical thinking-Conservative Republican education of the general public

[AmericanActivist]

5. Thanks for your thoughtful reply. Good

questions you ask but one resonates with me, “why is the general public so susceptible to obvious lies” I wonder why this is also.

Of course I have no answer, but one thought is from Al-Anon, “we believe because we want to believe” another is that it takes real effort to be factually informed about issues and current affairs it is almost a full-time job. Long gone are the days when you could watch the nightly news and be informed.

[Angry Dragon]

4. At least the same amount of time for me

[TheFrenchRazor]

7. the Haves will be having a merry christmas this year; everybody else, not so much. nt

[AmericanActivist]

8. No Christmas here nm