Are We In the Process of Creating a New and Enduring American Underclass?

[upstatecajun]

Will this bleak economy become “the new normal,” consigning millions to an emerging American underclass?


Corporate America appears to be prospering with far fewer workers than it employed before the crash. Wages are down, the stock market is up and firms are expanding their operations overseas. Meanwhile, Congress is suffering from the delusion that our greatest problem is the deficit, rather than the extreme economic insecurity so many Americans are suffering from today. And that focus will only exacerbate the crisis on “Main Street.”

The question is whether these trends will become “the new normal,” consigning millions to an emerging American underclass. Is our notably cruel brand of capitalism ultimately leading to something that looks more like feudalism – with low-paid serfs feeling fortunate just to have an opportunity to toil for their lords' enrichment?

http://www.alternet.org/economy/150633/are_we_in_the_process_of_creating_a_new_and_enduring_american_underclass/

[jody]

1. There's always been an "Enduring American Underclass". It's just getting bigger. nt

[Brigid]

Amen and amen.

It's getting dangerously bigger. And it's expanding even to include some of the better-educated, a very scary trend.

[Brigid]

3. Dupe.

My cat stepped across the keyboard, a favorite hobby of hers. :)

[RKP5637]

2. 'We ain't seen nothing yet!' Give it a few more years! The future is

not going to be very pleasant for most of us. Eventually the teabaggers will realize they have been had, and all hell will break lose.

[RKP5637]

4. Change you can believe in! n/t

[Armstead]

5. Yes.

[nebenaube]

6. That's what the war on pot is for... n/t

[eridani]

7. We've been doing exactly that for the last 30 years n/t

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[readmoreoften]

9. Huh?

:crazy:

[Cerridwen]

10. Nope. We've had an "Enduring American Underclass."

Now, more people will be joining it.

Previously it was populated by, ewwww, "those people"; blacks, Hispanics, women, "trailer trash," etc. Now, a few more of "you" are about to join us/them.