08-02-2016, 07:22 PM
In response to Jon Law about GOP becoming the labor party:
I have thought along these lines. But you are neglecting a couple of key elements. One is Corporate America. The Republican party (and their Whig forebearers) has been the party of corporations since before there were corporations. Where do they go, Democrats? To the party of government regulation? Seriously? Think about how many constituencies the Democrats would have to alienate to make a bid for corporate America.
Also the core of Labor are immigrants. Long-time American workers with enough on the ball to organize are no longer unskilled working class (the sort of worker who most benefits from a union). Immigrants combine energy and moxie with a lower-end jobs. An American Labor party must necessarily be pro-immigrant. This is a non-starter for the Republicans.
I have thought along these lines. But you are neglecting a couple of key elements. One is Corporate America. The Republican party (and their Whig forebearers) has been the party of corporations since before there were corporations. Where do they go, Democrats? To the party of government regulation? Seriously? Think about how many constituencies the Democrats would have to alienate to make a bid for corporate America.
Also the core of Labor are immigrants. Long-time American workers with enough on the ball to organize are no longer unskilled working class (the sort of worker who most benefits from a union). Immigrants combine energy and moxie with a lower-end jobs. An American Labor party must necessarily be pro-immigrant. This is a non-starter for the Republicans.