The truth is that about 65% of the American work force is working class, not middle class. It has nothing to do with how much they earn. It’s about power over their own daily lives. But more importantly, most of working class America cannot see or hear any of us from where they live and work in life. The way they got to that place was through simple neglect of the laboring class — mostly governmental neglect. When a government neglects the needs of a group or class, it is because it knows it can get away with it. Otherwise known as a screwjob. Reagan screwed them. Clinton screwed them. Both Bush administrations screwed them. Democratic or Republican majorities in Congress didn’t matter. They’ve been neglected by our government for the past 36 years.
— Joe Bageant: Breaking the Beer Barrier
