Class Warfare in America: The Elephant in the Room
With all the talk surrounding the widening gap between the wealthy class and everyone else, there continues to be very little attention given to the working class and poorest people in this country. There are not too many vocal advocates across the body of elected officials who represent the voices and interests of those who are actually the most vulnerable and disenfranchised citizens among us. Much of what we hear are concerns about middle class families and disdain for the upper class, but not much is targeted at protecting the interests and needs of the working poor and underclass. Some might argue that these groups of people will benefit from the same legislation that is designed to elevate and maintain the middle class. While this is generally true, it is equally true that those in the lower economic class warrant targeted intervention because their challenges and inadequacies are often different from those in the middle class. Some even argue that those below the middle class don't pay taxes anyway and often receive outright tax refunds when others are simply being granted reductions in their tax rates and bills. Whatever the arguments, it is clear that working class and poor Americans are the forgotten ones and the voiceless when it comes to visible and powerful advocacy in policymaking.
Even though there are many persons and organizations that are dedicated to serving and making sure that poor and working Americans' voices are heard, these advocates are often drowned out by those whose focus is on the middle and upper income classes. While so much time is spent on how to redistribute income and other taxes among income groups, many fail to acknowledge that you do run the risk of creating disincentives to work, be productive, and self-sustaining for citizens who are already paying little or no taxes. At the same time, as you shift a greater tax burden onto the wealthy, there is also the risk of fewer dollars being available to charities and other philanthropic enterprises. Although we can't ever expect to be able to legislate the habits of people's hearts, their compassion for others, or their willingness to give, we can tap into the American spirit and virtue which has always been defined by a real concern for the poorest among us. In public and private spheres, we must do a better job of advocating for the kinds of social and economic safety nets that will enable upward mobility for those who have been disenfranchised for too long.
Even though there are many persons and organizations that are dedicated to serving and making sure that poor and working Americans' voices are heard, these advocates are often drowned out by those whose focus is on the middle and upper income classes. While so much time is spent on how to redistribute income and other taxes among income groups, many fail to acknowledge that you do run the risk of creating disincentives to work, be productive, and self-sustaining for citizens who are already paying little or no taxes. At the same time, as you shift a greater tax burden onto the wealthy, there is also the risk of fewer dollars being available to charities and other philanthropic enterprises. Although we can't ever expect to be able to legislate the habits of people's hearts, their compassion for others, or their willingness to give, we can tap into the American spirit and virtue which has always been defined by a real concern for the poorest among us. In public and private spheres, we must do a better job of advocating for the kinds of social and economic safety nets that will enable upward mobility for those who have been disenfranchised for too long.
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