I got a message I had to share.
Dear Filthy:
Every time I try to discuss the gross inequality of wages/salary with my right wing Republican friends some of them accuse me of engaging in class warfare and being unable to look at anyone with more money without feeling some kind of uncontrollable "wealth envy". How can I discuss this injustice with this kind of individual when they refuse to acknowledge a fact without being accused of this ridiculous idea?
Lately the fact that the USA is subject to grossly disproportionate compensation for the 99% has rocketed to a top position of discussion thanks to the actions of the Occupy Wall Street (and similar) demonstrators and activists. What you experience is a classic reaction from right wingers when they find themselves in an indefensible position - they attack the messenger. This makes many topics impossible to discuss with them and that is the intent - they think it's a "win" when they kill the conversation. We know it's childish, but you can't stop them. I suggest the "cornbread defense" when faced with people as wholly unwilling to face reality as this, but that's just me.
Let me attempt to address a deluge of single minded reactions (replies to topics and posts) I have noted recently on various forums and websites from lock-step right wingers reacting as they do when confronted with this notion. The following short post I grabbed from Huffington Post as an example (the full topic is here).
RightRealDeal: Although a very feeble attempt, this must be today's left, wealth envy stir the masses up story.
Like many rightwingers, this person wants to tell others what liberals (the "left") think. It doesn't work that way. As a liberal, which "RightRealDeal" is not, it's safe for me to speak for liberals (at least some of us), and to the same extent the "left" (such as it is) whereas it is not something "RightRealDeal" should do. Let me clear one thing up for rightwingers.
We just want to be comfortable and safe and live nice predictable lives with goals we can attain using hard work and smarts. We admire honesty and success when brought about in an honest manner. We don't "envy" the wealthy as much a you'd like to think. Perhaps YOU do, and that is why you are projecting. What we don't like is 1) greed when it harms others and 2) wealth obtained through immoral, unethical, and illegal means, which the majority of wealth is acquired (you take advantage of someone or something using immoral, unethical, or illegal tactics). We dislike it so much, and there are SO MANY OF US who dislike it, that social change is inevitable.
America is waking up to the inequity in compensation and it scares the 1% and their thralls. Many have been tricked and no longer realize the true value of the work performed in our society. One group (let's call them "Bobs") is trained to do one job, and reaps massive monetary compensation. One group is trained to do another job (let's call them "Joes"), and gets just enough compensation to survive. The Bobs sign papers, sit in an office, direct numbers on a computer, eats lunch and goes home at the end of the day - in other words Bob is a bank manager. The Joes collect our garbage (for this example). We all know what Joe does. All the Bobs can vanish and life will pretty much continue with no harm to anyone. If the Joes vanish, we are FUCKED. Really. Now ask yourself which group is really needed in our society? Now ask which group has the greater compensation. Which one, Joe or Bob, provides the most good for the most people? This is wage/salary inequity in one form (there are others). Rightwingers will offer up all kinds of defense for this system, when it is plain to see this system of compensation is BROKEN. Yet they will defend it. They have been tricked into believing the lie and will defend it until their own lives or well being are in jeopardy.
Worse, the right wants to demonize and humiliate the Joes. When the Joes dare notice the inequity - if anyone poor notices - the right wants to accuse them of "warfare" or being subject to "envy". I and many other liberals and "lefties" find this attitude loathsome. A society built on lies as great as this can not endure. A society that demonizes the worker who performs jobs that our society depends upon can not endure.
The question for rightwingers is how you want to face your own extinction. You can face it willingly and logically and embrace change knowing it is bringing all of us (even you) a brighter safer future, or you can fight it on the end of a pitchfork. Either way results in the same end and make no mistake, times they are 'a changin'.
