As The Economy Worsens, More and More People Will Have NO Stake in the System and That Means

[Yavin4]

that our politics will become more and more radical.

The primary reason why our politics since WWII have remained primarily in the center, with tilts left and right, is that we had a strong and vibrant middle class. There was an implicit understanding that if you went to school, worked hard, stayed away from trouble, etc. you too could be economically self-sufficient and prosperous. That's what kept our politics from swinging too far left or right. This was at the heart of all of FDR's proposals: give the common man an economic stake in his/her nation.

Today, that no longer applies. Your economic destiny is no longer under your control. No amount of schooling, skill acquisition, years of experience, etc. can protect you from economic collapse, and even more, the govt. won't be there for you either. IOW, folks are losing their stakes in the system.

Thus, people, when scared, turn to radical political elements on the left and the right, and the media will give the radical right a huge platform to pursue their agenda.

[niceypoo]

1. What radical elements on the left are we turning to?

Just curious

[Yavin4]

2. The Left's Radical Elements Are Not As Mature At This Time As Is The Rights

My suspicion is that once the right re-gains control of the government, the Left's radical elements will grow just like we're seeing today with the Right's radical elements responding to an Obama presidency.

[JHB]

3. Eisenhower Socialism

You remember, we were run by Communists back then, during the Cold War against... um... those other Communists?

[OHdem10]

4. Having watched over thelast Decade, it would appear that most

who would describe themselves as radical left have left the
Democratic Party and gone elsewhere. Example after the
2000 election Bush V Gore I remember quite a few Lefties
headed over to the Green Party. This has happened more than
just after the 2000 election. Many of Code Pink members
are Greens. These were from differnt Websites--not just D

I can remember during the run up to 2008, there was anoticeable
number declaring themselves Independents, Nadarites and Greens.

Does this leave the Democrats with a large contingent of"Lefties"
(I use that term affectionately). Lefites are often our conscience
if we listen.

Add to that, the Non-Confrontational Stand that appears to permeate
our Party, and I am left with a great big question mark?
Do the people in D.C.including Legislators and Media even
know who makes up the Democratic Party???