Winning the Lottery

I've considered in the past what could possibly motivate working class American citizens to repeatedly vote into power, people and parties whose philosophy and platforms are totally counter to their own best interests. As a people we elect politicians to Federal and state positions who have shown over and over that they will protect those at the top of the economic ladder. These servants of corporate wealth, and oligopolies that the largest corporate entities have become consistently pass laws, regulations, and measures to benefit Big Business over the working American. Since there are, and probably always will be, more low and middle income people than the small elite at the lofty top of the money pyramid, why do people buy into the confused and muddled rhetoric of pandering politicians in the pockets of Big Money. Logically the average worker should be politically leaning toward socialist policies.

One night over a few glasses of homemade wine with some friends it hit me. The Middle Class Myth in America is bought into by the average blue/white/pink collared worker on the same basis that Lottery tickets are bought. Now before you dismiss this idea think about it. The average lottery ticket buyer knows that the odds are incredibly high against actually winning, yet the hope is there that they will win (after all somebody has to... right?). Compare this to the realities of the typical 'rags to riches' fable we've all been raised on.

The moral of most of the stories are that if one works hard, plays by the rules, and doesn't upset the status quo that one "may" rise to the top, into that lofty altitude where all of ones financial needs are met, where the "disposable" part of income is much greater than the part needed to keep body and soul together. It's an inspiring legend, on the same level as the Arthurian legends, Beowulf, or the classic American western movie, and about as accurate and relevant. Yet it serves a useful purpose, to those select few who already control the mass of wealth. It's always implied, in every retelling of the legend, that unless one adopts the mannerisms, viewpoint, and goals of the "Winners" at the top of the heap, one can never succeed. To succeed one must develop an aggressive, narrowly channeled and focused pursuit of profit, and thus add to ones position, prestige, and personal wealth. In other words the road to fabulous success and wealth is a simple formula that only needs to be followed (to the benefit of the upper echelon when you examine it closely).

The effect is to isolate workers from each other, for also implied, and is obvious to even the most casual observer, only a few can rise to the top. Bear in mind that there are various versions of the Myth. The typical blue collar version is that after years of loyal, productive service to The Company one will rise to well paid management position, with a cushy basket of benefits. This concept always reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

Add to the legend the aggressive anti-union practices of corporate management and again, the workers are isolated from each other, and in fact must daily deal with a gnawing fear that some uncomplimentary comment on management, company policy, or working conditions will land them in the unemployment line.

The politics of fear are just as real in the workplace as any other arena of life in America. Workers are led to believe, rightly or wrongly, that they have no power what-so-ever against the people on the top floor. Organized labor is lumped into the same dark, fear tinged realm of all organized entities outside the purview of Officially Sanctioned groups, such as the the two main American political parties, various 'safe' churches, and various toothless social clubs who accomplish nothing more than a melancholy shaking of their heads over the plight of the poor.

If most American workers had a lick of common sense, and sense of self-preservation, they would be actively organizing into collective bargaining units. Yes, I know, many will fire back at this position with the jaded, worn-out cliche about labor union corruption. To that I only need point to the special interest cesspool in Washington, D.C. and ask "Could it actually be any worse? At least Joe Average would have a fighting chance to gain a real living wage, real benefits, and some small amount of security." It has been pointed out time after time over many years that Capitalism has no real connection to Democracy, in fact the less democratic an country is, the more Capitalism flourishes. One need only to look to mainland China in recent years to see the proof of this. The ruling elite in Chinese society are NOT against capitalism, as long as they are controlling and benefiting from it.

It's time to wake from the dream, open our eyes and minds, and start making noise and waves. There is nothing inherently wrong with capitalistic practices, as long as it is regulated to do the least harm to the society in which it thrives and profits. Despite it protestations to the contrary Commerce does have a moral obligation to the nation in which it thrives and profits. If Capital will not fund the processes necessary for the well being of it's workers on it's own, then the Government must step in to insure the overall welfare of the nation including its workers, requiring higher taxes on those who most benefit from Commerce and who can logically pay the share necessary to insure a productive and secure populace. When Capital uses it's wealth to control the very entity that should be regulating and prohibiting its most dangerous and damaging practices then it becomes a moral battle of money against numbers, of a selfish aristocracy against the welfare of the people. Without Labor there can be no Capital. Without the consent of the governed, there can be no legitimate government.