In order to maintain a fair balance inside the Democrat's battle for hearts and minds, we thought the issues of low wage earning Whites could use some attention. With all the cop killings, Black Lives Matter, the Flint Michigan water crisis, the Oscars and racial tensions raging on college campuses across the nation, working class White issues are being overlooked. Left unattended too long, they could start looking elsewhere.
While it's understandable politicians answer the loudest cries for help first, one need be mindful of those suffering in silence. Behind closed doors and drawn drapes of many working and middle class White households are families struggling to pay the mortgage, facing credit card debt, difficulties with affordable college tuition and meeting ever increasing healthcare costs that didn't turnout to be as affordable as advertised. With stagnate wages and fewer job opportunities, many working class Whites are wondering when somebody will start talking to them.
Since the beginning of the primary season, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have focused their messages like a laser on Black issues. Slickly, Hillary Clinton went all Black as the race headed South. Nearly every speech, rally or town hall meeting was heavily weighted with a Black narrative. While Sanders tried the same, he wasn't nearly successful. Relying solely on Black voters to get the wins she needed south of the Mason Dixon line, Hillary Clinton didn't even take the time to promise the White voter much of anything.
Black people were promised support for Historically Black Colleges, criminal justice reforms and a $125 billion proposal "Breaking Down Barriers" specifically designed to assist poor minorities with job training, education and support re-entering society after incarceration. Blacks also got their voices heard on the national stage as they vented their outrage over issues left ignored for decades. Granted, many of these promises may never be kept, but at least Black voters have something to hold the Democratic Party accountable for. Working class White Democrats haven't even been lied to yet.
To ignore the legions of undereducated, underemployed and underachieving White voters languishing on sagging sofas in dusty basements could send those fed up voters into the embrace of Donald Trump. With no place "Left" to turn, many Whites on the margins could be in the mood to make a statement. They did it for Ronald Reagan and if the Democrats aren't careful, they could do it again.
To ignore the legions of undereducated, underemployed and underachieving White voters languishing on sagging sofas in dusty basements could send those fed up voters into the embrace of Donald Trump. With no place "Left" to turn, many Whites on the margins could be in the mood to make a statement. They did it for Ronald Reagan and if the Democrats aren't careful, they could do it again.
Sure, the Sanders message could have wide appeal among White voters, but observing the process objectively thus far, the working class White voter may have a legitimate gripe over being left on the sidelines. Simply because White Progressives get the Black Lives Matter thing loudly and clearly, doesn't mean they don't want their issues given equal attention. Clearly left out of the conversation to date, one can only wonder what working class White Democrats, Liberals and Progressives are saying, thinking and feeling amongst themselves.
Bottom line: While it's been decades since Black issues have taken center stage, White voters feeling the pinch still want what they want and they won't wait much longer for the Black narrative to run its course. On the other hand, pivoting too fast and too far to focus on the concerns of White voters, could just as suddenly have Black voters feeling betrayed. Lesson learned: When you leave race out of politics, nobody feels left behind. Podcast below!
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