this post was submitted on 18 Nov 2024
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Why do u.s. politicians obsess over helping the middle class? (hexbear.net)
submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by dragongloss@hexbear.net to c/askchapo@hexbear.net
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Sorry for this question. I am still learning.

Something that has always bothered me is how much u.s. politicians obsess over helping the middle class. Seems like the two major parties talk about it a lot. Why do they endlessly talk about helping the middle class, but never seem to acknowledge or focus on helping the (lower?) or poverty or proletariat class?

To me it sounds like the middle class by definition should be not be as in need as other classes that don't have as much? What's the purpose of this?

Edit: Thanks for all your responses. :)

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[–] aebletrae@hexbear.net 26 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

You have to remember the puritanical roots of the country.

The upper/middle/lower class distinctions are not economic:

  • upper = rich;
  • middle = comfortable;
  • lower = poor.

They're instead based on morality:

  • upper = blessed;
  • middle = virtuous strivers;
  • lower = good-for-nothing work-shy losers.

The upper class have been divinely marked for better things. They are never helped. Everything they receive is ordained. The lower class are scum who it would be wrong to ever help, since it would only encourage their inherent unwillingness to work. The middle class, then, are the self-made people who work hard for what they get and obviously deserve a little more, which in self-image terms is basically everyone.

Politicians promising to help the middle class are, therefore, declaring that they will reward the worthy (and punish the unworthy), which is a popular sentiment.