The Middle Class

Everyone (well, every politician) seems to be talking about the middle class these days..

At the Democratic National Convention, they had pre-made signs for the middle class.  I know VP Biden has been touting the middle class for some time - and may even lead up one of those blue ribbon commissions that is out to "save the middle class".

Now save the whales I could get behind.  But something about this strikes me as pandering to voters.  What about the lower class?  The wealthy class?  The used-to-be-middle-class?

That is how I feel about it, either that or my general universal tendencies thinking - a president or a politician should be out there to represent *all* of us, right?  Not just those with campaign contributions to kick in.  Or bundlers who can raise piles of money to raise still more piles of money.

I used to think of myself as middle class I suppose.  Dual income, no kids - then we even had dual kids and maid service too once upon a time.  Till she ran off with a check without cleaning, well, we clean our own homes since that time thank you.  But give someone used to car payments and maid service several years on the dole as they say in Britain.  It reorients your thinking.

Still think of myself as one step away from the kindness of strangers that always seems to get me by.  So this pandering to the middle class - nope, not falling for it.  But I suppose you can read tax policy, the i-ching of everything today it would seem, into this:
* keep those mortgage interest deductions, so we can write off $2000 of the $4000 per month mortgage we can't afford, and actually never could!

* keep my company eligible for those health care deductions!

But none of this is much of a rallying cry.  Not like "save the middle class".  hmm.  I am reminded of new subdivisions named after trees they have felled.  Like Cedar Crest, which felled a forest across the street from my own house - county commissioners promised the citizens they would keep several trees per lot!  In reality, they kept one lone cedar at the top of the hill, till that had to make way for a cul-de-sac.  So now in honor of the stately cedars that used to grace the property, all that is left is some root structure down there someplace.

Is save the middle class like that?  A vanishing species?  Maybe, but you know what, it means nothing to me.  How about "save our freedom"  "save upward mobility".  Any more, it seems the Republicans have a lock on progressive stands - things like education reform.  While the Democrats have lost any progressive edge, looking to hang onto the status quo.