WHY THE WHITE WORKING CLASS STILL MATTERS

Vanity | 2000 (BOOK REVIEW) NEW YORK: BASIC BOOKS/217 PAGES | BY RUY TEIXEIRA AND JOEL ROGERS

[shrinkermd]

I thought this might be of interest now that the Rats have started their primary campaigns for President. John Edwards claims to be for the "ordinary man;" but the RATS have been losing this group to the Pubbies.

I did this book review for my lobbyist daughter last Fall before the election.

[Vigilanteman]

Yep. I always felt the Pubbies were a bunch of wussies for not exploiting this demographic. There is deep resentment among this class against the bureaucratic elite who works less, makes more and often has only a little more education (and far less street smarts).

[Pearls Before Swine]

John Edwards claims to be for the "ordinary man;" but the RATS have been losing this group to the Pubbies.

There's the "ordinary man" and there's the "ordinary working man." These are two different groups. To the dems, the ordinary man is one more concerned with his color or sexual orientation or handicap or entitlements than with issues related to working. To the Republicans, the ordinary man is one more concerned with the rigors of working and the taxes he pays to support the freeloading classes.

[okie01]

"I did this book review for my lobbyist daughter last Fall before the election."

Did she give you an "A"? You deserve it...

[Princeliberty]

Maybe the Republicans should spend more
time taking care of the ones who is bringing
them to power.
How about no more NAFTAS and GATTS,
big payroll tax cut, stop illegal immigration
school vouchers etc...

[Princeliberty]

Maybe the Republicans should spend more
time taking care of the ones who is bringing
them to power.
How about no more NAFTAS and GATTS,
big payroll tax cut, stop illegal immigration
school vouchers etc...

[okie01]

"That is incorrect, Whites are only about 65% of the population."

Blacks remain the largest minority, at 12%. Hispanics are the fastest growing, at around 10%. Whoever is the missing 13%?

[foreverfree]

bump

[visualops]

Your review is a good read, thanks.
It is very telling what the authors gloss over or ignore in that it really shows their tunnel vision. It makes one wonder if their disregard for moral/family issues as a factor is because they cannot fathom it's importance.
I can unequivocally say that everyone I know who has children or is contemplating them, is concerned to some degree about moral/family values plus related issues such as the poor performance of the current education system. This includes people who consider themselves liberal and/or democrats, and irrespective of race.

I think people are realizing that what were once sneeringly called "old-fashioned" values aren't such a bad idea after all. And, if this country wants to see some real growth and progress government has got to get a grip on spending and cut waste and taxes. It's pretty simple- if after I pay my rent and buy food and pay the electric bill, if nothing is left I cannot buy stuff and contribute to the growth of this country!

[expatpat]

Good review.

The authors economic analyses and arguments are well documented and thought out. They more or less ignore the social issues. Looking at their data would suggest that attitudes and beliefs in respect to abortion, gay rights, affirmative action and gun control might explain a good deal of the voting pattern changes they ascribe to economics.

I think you're right here. I think this group is more put off by the Demonrats' pandering to minorities, homosexuals, etc. than affected by economic issues. They may be hurting some, but I doubt if they see the Dems as any better for them than the GOP economically. A strong dose of class warfare might change that if the Dems are seen as credible.

[expatpat]

I think the difference in % may be due to the issue of the hispanic classification. They are often considered (by themselves, for example) as 'white' and make up 10%; 65% plus 10% is three-quarters.

[JNB]

This group has been critical for the Democrats in close elections. The white working class, especially the ones over 60, despite their conservative social views, still largely vote Democrat by habit, and it was this group who the Democrats alienate the most when they push their "new Democrat" message the most. What is ironic is the kind of politics the same authors support in the ironically titled "The emergeing Democratic majority" that came out this year are the style of politics that will only accelerate the white working class migration to the GOP.

While many freepers will disagree, it is economics that still gives the Democrats between 40-45% of the vote, but if the Democrats become fully free trade on economics, globalistic if you will, there will be no more reason for the white working class to vote for the Democrats. The multi-cultural, feminist, gay rights, enviromentalist issues that now largely define todays Democrats are hostile to the intrests of the white working class.

[Dialup Llama]

>Those with HS diploma fell 10%. In addition, those without an HS diploma dropped 24%

This income loss can only result in huge social strains. It is due to illegal immigrants taking the 'jobs that Americans won't do'.... to quote a favorite phrase of the Texicans on FR.

[Billy_bob_bob]

"It is due to illegal immigrants taking the 'jobs that Americans won't do'.... to quote a favorite phrase of the Texicans on FR."

The claim that there are "jobs that Americans won't do" is commonly repeated nowadays, and many people believe it. It is, however, completely false. The true statement is "there are jobs that Americans won't do at the wages I'm willing to pay for said job. That's the big secret that they don't want to talk about.

What is really frightening about this is the fact that if Americans give in and take these jobs, they still end up on the losing end of the stick, because illegals who come in and take these jobs qualify for government benefits that citizens don't qualify for! Then they wonder why people are getting increasingly frustrated with the whole immigration issue.

[MissAmericanPie]

You will not hear this Texan saying that. Have you noticed the fed having one little bit of a problem replacing illegals in the nations airports? Didn't think so.

There should be a federal law that a US citizen can sue an employer for a position held by an illegal. The U.S. carpenter's could certainly get back to work instead of being run from one area of the US to the other ahead of the illegal hounds on his heels.

[Classicaliberalconservative]

You know there are people in this country who are not black, white or hispanic.

[expatpat]

Of course, but what's your point?

[Classicaliberalconservative]

Just pointing out what the missing 13% would be.

[Restorer]

illegals who come in and take these jobs qualify for government benefits that citizens don't qualify for!

Which benefits are you talking about. I don't know of any benefits that aliens qualify for but not citizens.