Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kuros]

Backlash Nation

[Ya-ta Boy]

Interesting post, Kuros. For me, the key sentence is: "Have we reached a truly populist tipping point?"

I read another article on populism that's related. "The Great Populist Divide" by history professor Michael Kazin. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-kazin/the-great-populist-divide_b_124555.html

"Populism in America is nearly as old as the republic itself. Since President Andrew Jackson's epic battle to shut down the "money power" symbolized by the Second Bank of the United States in 1833, politicians and citizen-activists have voiced their outrage about the "elites" who ignored, corrupted or betrayed the common people.

Right-wing populists typically drum up resentments based on differences of religion and cultural style. Their progressive counterparts focus on economic grievances. But the common language is promiscuous -- useful to anyone who asserts that virtue resides in ordinary people and has the skills and platform to bring their would-be superiors down to earth...

Contrary to nostalgic mythology, Americans have never been a united people free of rancorous divisions. As Kevin Phillips once wrote, accurately if cynically, "knowing who hates who" and acting accordingly has usually been the key to electoral success."


If there is a real populist backlash out there brewing and if we are at or close to a tipping point, then odds are Ambinder's concluding sentence is right: 'then I think President Obama will be granted collective permission to change the economic structure of this country in ways that we can't yet comprehend'.

[Ya-ta Boy]

By the way, there's a new Populist Caucus that recently formed in Congress. So far, there are only 23 members. Here's an interview with their chairman which includes their 6 principles.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-weigant/exclusive-interview-with_b_174033.html

Exclusive Interview With Rep. Bruce Braley, Populist Caucus Founder And Chairman

[Gopher]

Nice post, Kuros.

[Kikomom]