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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRobert Reich: Fear Is Why Poor States Vote Against Their Economic Interest
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/15/1269834/-Robert-Reich-Fear-Is-Why-Poor-States-Vote-Against-Their-Economic-Interest?detail=facebook#Wed Jan 15, 2014 at 09:36 AM PST
Robert Reich: Fear Is Why Poor States Vote Against Their Economic Interest
by GleninCA
Last week, there was a massive toxic spill in West Virginia leading to undrinkable water for hundreds of thousands of West Virginans and pictures of the disgustingly polluted water like the one above.
For years many Democrats have wondered why poor and middle class Americans vote for Republicans, especially in our country's poorest states like West Virginia. Is it some twisted ideology? Something to do with race or religion? It could be all of those things, but oddly enough, jobs could also be a factor. Or more specifically, the fear of losing those jobs. In a Facebook post today, Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich explains:
Last weeks massive toxic chemical spill into West Virginia Elk River illustrates another benefit to the business class of high unemployment, economic insecurity, and a safety-net shot through with holes. Not only are employees docile, eager to accept whatever crumbs they can get. The public is also quiescent and unwilling to cause trouble.
The spill was the regions third major chemical accident in five years, coming after two investigations by the federal Chemical Safety Board in the Kanawha Valley, also known as Chemical Valley, and repeated recommendations from federal regulators and environmental advocates that the state embrace tougher rules to better safeguard chemicals. But state and local lawmakers turned a deaf ear.
As Maya Nye, president of People Concerned About Chemical Safety, a citizens group formed after a 2008 explosion and fire killed workers at West Virginias Bayer CropScience plant in the state, told the Times: We are so desperate for jobs in West Virginia we dont want to do anything that pushes industry out. Exactly.
For years political scientists have wondered why the citizens of West Virginia and other poorer states vote against their economic interests, hypothesizing its because economic issues have been preempted by others like guns, abortion, and race. But as wages keep sinking and economic security disappears, its also because people are so desperate for jobs theyll vote whatever way industry wants them to. Bottom line: A strong and growing middle class is the best bulwark against corporate irresponsibility.
The spill was the regions third major chemical accident in five years, coming after two investigations by the federal Chemical Safety Board in the Kanawha Valley, also known as Chemical Valley, and repeated recommendations from federal regulators and environmental advocates that the state embrace tougher rules to better safeguard chemicals. But state and local lawmakers turned a deaf ear.
As Maya Nye, president of People Concerned About Chemical Safety, a citizens group formed after a 2008 explosion and fire killed workers at West Virginias Bayer CropScience plant in the state, told the Times: We are so desperate for jobs in West Virginia we dont want to do anything that pushes industry out. Exactly.
For years political scientists have wondered why the citizens of West Virginia and other poorer states vote against their economic interests, hypothesizing its because economic issues have been preempted by others like guns, abortion, and race. But as wages keep sinking and economic security disappears, its also because people are so desperate for jobs theyll vote whatever way industry wants them to. Bottom line: A strong and growing middle class is the best bulwark against corporate irresponsibility.
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Robert Reich: Fear Is Why Poor States Vote Against Their Economic Interest (Original Post)
babylonsister
Jan 2014
OP
Laelth
(32,017 posts)1. k&r for the truth. n/t
-Laelth
pampango
(24,692 posts)2. Thus it is no surprise that fearmongering is a key tactic for republicans. Fear sells and elects.
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)3. keep people poor
and you keep them afraid, be they West Virginia coal miners, to congress critters afraid of winning elections and affording to live in DC.
kentuck
(111,079 posts)4. kick
and rec.
And they dump this crap in the headwaters of the Ohio. It has a long way to go before it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Maybe they should build them in Mississippi or Louisiana so it wouldn't take as long for the poison chemicals to reach the Gulf?