Why doesn't Obama talk about the lower class?

[thesubstanceofdreams]

We all know of McCain's and the republicans' disdain for the lower and middle classes. And we all know that Obama has been focusing his economic message on the middle class, which is great.

But I'm slightly puzzled that those who are not just struggling to send their kids to college or buy gas for their SUVs, but to actually maintain a roof to sleep under or food on their tables, are being completely ignored. There are millions of Americans living under the poverty line, and this is before the crisis unfolded. It's shameful that the wealthiest country on earth has such a high number of homeless people or people who could go homeless any day if they lose their job - comparable to a third-world country rather than a developed one. Why isn't this a campaign issue AT ALL?

I know republicans are for cutting welfare benefits even more and eliminating all entitlement programs (whether they admit it directly or not). But the silence of democrats is puzzling.

I know that poor people vote democratic overwhelmingly, if they vote at all, so there are more electoral gains to be made in the middle class (which is also a far larger cut of the electoral pie). But still, when I see these homeless people every day I wonder why isn't the democratic presidential candidate advocating for them.

Oh, and please don't flame me for this constructive criticism or question.

[sniffa]

1. He is

Most people who think they're Middle Class don't know they're actually Lower Class.

[Quantess]

5. That's right.

Almost everyone who considers themselves "middle class" is actually working class. The definition of working class being 2 paychecks away from financial trouble.

For ego's sake, we like to think that we're still "middle class", as long as we don't live in a trailer park or need food stamps.

[sniffa]

24. Fuck, my income is listed as "middle class"

but we're paycheck to paycheck. I'm lucky I'm still employed as if I go on unemployment (which is possible this winter, but less likely since our massive layoff happened last winter) I'll be making less and hoping to pay bills and feed us.

[Johonny]

6. I agree

[tblue]

8. Me, too.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. If I were Obama, I wouldn't be talking about the poor because it's a losing issue.

Cynical of me, I know, and it doesn't mean I don't care about the poor - but the big majority of people are middle class, and right now they're hurting (as are, of course, the poor). But when the middle class is hurting, they don't want to hear about someone else hurting. Especially someone that so many of the middle class despise or hold in disdain.

If Obama opened his mouth about the poor the rightwing and the media would be all over him even more about "handouts" and "socialism".

Once he's in office, he'll talk about the poor.

He's lucky that the middle class is hurting so much right now.

(and p.s. - please observe that I am NOT saying that any of the above attitudes are MORALLY CORRECT. I'm only pointing out the fact that they exist).

[thesubstanceofdreams]

4. I agree

I understand the reasons. But it's sad that in this country advocating for the most vulnerable among us is a losing electoral issue :(

[tblue]

9. Sad, but 100% true.

To defend the poor is considered too liberal for public consumption.

It's a buncha hooey, but that's the meme.

[Duer 157099]

3. I think it's one of those things that can go unsaid

I think the risk/reward ratio during an election is determining this.

But I have no doubt he's got compassion and will do things once he's in office, but he's still got those "undecideds" to contend with. And if they're undecided (meaning they're actually considering McCain!), talking about poverty isn't going to do anything to help Obama. Know what I mean?

[The Magistrate]

7. The Reason, Sir, Is That We Pretend Hard Here There Is No Such Thing As A Lower Class

An overwhelming proportion of the people here who think of themselves as 'middle class' are, by any reasonable standard of comparative income, lower class, or even poor. But no one wants to admit this, or say it out loud.

"Lake Woebegone, where all the children are above average."

[Guava Jelly]

12. I agree 100%

:applause:

[crankychatter]

10. because he'd be watching the debates on the couch at home with kucinich and edwards - anecdote why

I met a conservative democrat in kansas city, missouri this year.

She had a "social services" job and used to complain bitterly about the all the ex-felons that were in her office seeking help. She bragged about denying them help, every chance she could. I was frankly, shocked.

The language she used to mock them, made it clear she was referring to African-Americans. She supports Barrack Obama (as the lesser of evils, not enthusiastically).

What she said was, "I can't wait till he gets in office and all these people that think they're going to get a free ride, get a dose of reality. Obama had to WORK for his, and they will have to work too."

Straight up humanitarian concern for the plight of the poor in this country has become a losing talking point. My theory is that it's been an escalating propoganda war, from the time of Nixon's mythical "Deserving poor," to Reagan's snyde, anecdotal stereotypes of the "welfare" queen, eh?

I'm WITH you... but the bottom line is the bottom line. The effing corporate media will crucify you for being even moderately liberal. They crucified Jerry Brown. They crucified Howard Dean. They crucified Dennis Kucinich. They did it to Edwards too... oh yea, he's SO angry... when he was as sweet as a tree ripened peach.

Obama is a smart cookie. You need to take heart, remember where HE came from, and don't imagine for a minute, that he will forget.

[backwoodsbob]

14. wait a minute

* Obama is a smart cookie. You need to take heart, remember where HE came from, and don't imagine for a minute, that he will forget.*


Didn't he talk in the debate about remembering what it was like getting food stamps growing up?
I think he'll be just fine on issues affecting the lower class.

[crankychatter]

19. 100% - nt

[pnwmom]

11. Because it makes middle class Americans feel threatened.

They might worry that they'll have less if we do more for people at the bottom.

[FrenchieCat]

13. He doesn't name them, but rather talks about what they need

which is more important anyways.

He talks about his programs that would deal with adding Jobs, indexing minimum wages, providing health insurance and college assistance, improving public education including early childhood education. He constantly talks about an America where everyone has a chance.

Why do you think that would not benefit the "lower" classes when it benefits them the most?

In addition, a large measure of tax cuts go to those who would be considered those living under the poverty line.

Talking about the poor is one thing that might satisfy some.
Having policies that will benefit the poor is priceless.

[RichGirl]

15. Obama can't do the things he wants to do...

Unless he wins the election. In order to win the election he has to stay somewhat centrist. That's where the votes are. He can't go to any extremes, like gay marriage, etc. Be patient...let the guy win first before you start complaining.

[book_worm]

16. Ever since Clinton the talk has been about the middle class squeeze there is very little talk of the

poor or poverty. Edwards did, but he ended up disgracing himself so he isn't relevant anymore even if his key issue should be.

[katty]

17. neither of them have talked about the poor - however,

all the focus has been on stabilizing the financial markets, homes and salvaging the middle class from the shipwreck of 8 yrs of the chimp & gang. the poor always suffer first and are hit the hardest when the middle class is trying to survive-so many in the middle class are one step away from the bread line (most of us are).

[Beregond2]

18. Because no one in America thinks they are "lower class."

In most countries, the "middle class" are understood to be business owners, capitalists. Everyone else is either an aristocrat or "working class." Americans like to believe they are middle class, despite all evidence to the contrary.

[Imagevision]

20. At the rate we're going no-one is going to think they're middle class either

[BumRushDaShow]

21. What is more critical is that he won't have to just "talk about the poor"

but would "DO for the poor"... and it won't have to be with all the media fanfare.

[Cha]

22. I may not have much money but I have plenty of

class:) And, Obama addresses my issues.

[Booster]

23. Now, really. If he started talking about the "lower" class would

you say "Oh, that's me". Lower class is too close to "low-class" and nobody wants to talk about those people. Our problem is we have too many upper class people and too many lower class people. We need to boost the amount of middle class people so we can get this country back as strong as it once was.