A Worsening Culture War
<i>&quot;That&#x27;s all the media and the politicians are ever talking about, the things that separate us, things that make us different from one another.<p>That&#x27;s the way the ruling class operates in any society. They try to divide the rest of the people. They keep the lower and the middle classes fighting with each other so that they the rich, can run off with all the fucking money.<p>Fairly simple thing. Happens to work.<p>You know, anything different, thats what they gonna talk about. Race, religion, ethnic and national backgrounds, jobs, income, education, social status, sexuality. Anything they can do, keep us fighting with each other so that they can keep going to the bank.<p>You know how I describe the economic and social classes in this country? The upper class keeps all of the money, pays none of the taxes. The middle class pays all of the taxes, does all of the work. The poor are there just to scare the shit out of the middle class. Keep them showing up at those jobs.&quot;</i><p>George Carlin had us pegged ages ago.<p>So did Doctor King:<p><i>The other day I was saying, I always try to do a little converting when I&#x27;m in jail. And when we were in jail in Birmingham the other day, the white wardens and all enjoyed coming around the cell to talk about the race problem. And they were showing us where we were so wrong demonstrating. And they were showing us where segregation was so right. And they were showing us where intermarriage was so wrong.<p>So I would get to preaching, and we would get to talking—calmly, because they wanted to talk about it. And then we got down one day to the point—that was the second or third day—to talk about where they lived, and how much they were earning. And when those brothers told me what they were earning, I said, &quot;Now, you know what? You ought to be marching with us. [laughter] You&#x27;re just as poor as Negroes.&quot;<p>And I said, &quot;You are put in the position of supporting your oppressor, because through prejudice and blindness, you fail to see that the same forces that oppress Negroes in American society oppress poor white people. (Yes) And all you are living on is the satisfaction of your skin being white, and the drum major instinct of thinking that you are somebody big because you are white.<p>And you&#x27;re so poor you can&#x27;t send your children to school. You ought to be out here marching with every one of us every time we have a march.&quot;</i>