"It was then that I realized that what I was looking at was actually a piece of hate mail. It wasn't directed at the usual suspects - racial, religious or ethnic minorities. Indeed, using a black or native face would have been counterproductive since it would have raised hackles about racism. Instead there was an implicit appeal to a prejudice that hardly ever gets noticed but is remarkably widespread - class contempt."
-- Stan Hister, " 'White Trash' aren't "
Maybe someone can post the link, and then tell me how to do it. I can't seem to figure it out on this new format yet.
While I agree with Hister, I think he doesn't go far enough in leveling criticism on the left, or in his term "liberals". The lack of regard, let alone respect for working people is a by product of class analysis being eclipsed years ago by identity politics.
While it should not surprise us that the Conservatives would be unabashed in their contempt for working people, or that capital "L" Liberals feel the same but keep it quiet to keep their "bait and switch" politics viable, it should surprise us that the field of representing working class issues has been dropped by the NDP and other supposedly more progressive elements.
And it should further surprise us that in being jilted by the NDP, working people who still bother to participate in politics participate in political parties like the Conservatives and Liberals who show, or can barely contain, their contempt for working people.