discussion on working class, etc.

Tom Lehman TLEHMAN at lor.net
Fri Jul 30 21:14:25 PDT 1999


http://www.retroactive.com/jan98/bringfather.html

Be sure and take a look at page 2 of the above where Jiggs says, " Well-palsy-walsy meet us at "Slats" McGue's dive and bring along your burglar tools".

Tom

Tom Lehman wrote:


> Thanks for quoting me, Eric.
>
> Mike, people act out what they perceive to be in their economic self-interest.
> Simple as that. The rich and the super-rich act on what they perceive to be in
> their economic self interest. The steelworkers and the autoworkers act on what
> they perceive to be in their economic self interest. Naturally, the rich and
> the super-rich have more complete economic information than people with little
> income and little or no wealth. Unions try hard to level the playing field as
> best they can in these disputes with rich and the super-rich's toys the
> corporations. Yes, the corporations are the toys of the rich and the
> super-rich. The field is tilting more every day toward the control of all parts
> of our society by big money.
>
> The really sad thing in all of this is that our American democracy down to the
> lowest levels has become a toy of the rich and the super-rich.
>
> Btw,Wayne Huizenga, former garbage truck driver now super-rich is pushing for
> this turnpike interchange at State Route 58 that I have been writing about. :o)
>
> Tom Lehman
>
> Eric Beck wrote:
>
> > >I think class analysis is a waste of time. In general class depends on
> > >income and wealth and the amount of income generated by wealth---everything
> > >else associated with the definition of class is to put it kindly,
> > >anecdotal. Or to put it bluntly, bullshit.
> >
> > Tom, this is crazy talk. Our society's complete inability to talk about or
> > even recognize class is one of the the ruling class's greatest victories.
> > Without discussions of class, my failing to attain the wealth of Bill Gates
> > is a personal failing; it's an excuse to blame people for society's lack of
> > equal opportunities and to perpetuate the myth that anyone can achieve
> > great wealth.
> >
> > And class does not depend only on income or wealth. There are a whole host
> > of factors that constitute class, including but not limited to power,
> > status, and prestige. For instance, a college professor is definitely of a
> > "higher" class than an auto worker, but it is quite possible (even
> > probable, in these days) that the auto worker makes more money. Being aware
> > of and figuring out these things is crucial to understanding capitalist
> > society. It would of course be ideal if society were so perfect that it was
> > unnecessary to define class. But at this point it isn't.
> >
> > Eric



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