# Rebublican use of the term "class warfare" **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 18, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727 "2011-09-18T18:12:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/41 "2011-09-19T13:26:03Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > So if you don’t want your kids to grow up to be toothless meth freaks in trailers, vote Republican. Trouble is, all the toothless meth freaks in trailers already vote Republican and are among those that wail loudest if you even dare suggest raising taxes on those in the gated communities. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/42 "2011-09-19T16:31:26Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Trouble is, all the toothless meth freaks in trailers already vote Republican and are among those that wail loudest if you even dare suggest raising taxes on those in the gated communities. Where else are they going to steal a new TV? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/43 "2011-09-19T19:29:21Z")
The term ‘class warfare’ is on par with the code word ‘fair share’…both terms appeal to their respective bases. > [@](#): > > Do the Republicans want to open this can of worms? I think that they can then fairly be accused of “Class warfare” when they want to cut taxes and then eliminate social programs for the poor. Sure, why wouldn’t they want to ‘open this can of worms’? It appeals to their base. That’s like saying ‘Do the Democrats want to open the can of worms they are opening by using loaded terms like ‘fair share’??’ Yeah…they do, because their base is howling for it and it has an appeal beyond just their base…as using the term ‘class warfare’ appeals directly towards the conservative base and has appeal outside of their base. You can see it in this thread…it’s gotten a lot of peoples backs up (while my guess is I’ll get genuine puzzlement about why the Dems using ‘fair share’ is a problem), which is part of the intent. > [@](#): > > I think that the million dollar mark is a good one to use by the Obama administration. It has a cachet to it. The Republicans can be painted as “fighting for millionaires”. Sure, but mostly by those who already have some sympathy towards the Dems message. The trouble is that it’s all political fodder…it’s not going to substantially help by increasing the tax rate or even cutting out some loopholes in the $1 million plus crowd. It might even make things worse, depending on how it’s done, as it might dry up even the limp investment we are getting today. It will certainly add even more uncertainty to the mix, which is a recipe for businesses and the evil rich to entrench even more. But what this will do is further polarize the two sides, and assuming Obama can push it through (:dubious:) it will score him some points with his own base…points he needs, since they are turning on him like the rabid dogs they are. It’s not going to substantially change the equation wrt the deficit. I don’t know enough about the cuts he’s proposing, but unless they are substantial (which I doubt his own base would support, considering they would be in Medicare/Medicaid and maybe Social Security) we will still have a large and growing disconnect between what we bring in and what we spend. That’s not going to change unless either we spend less or bring in a LOT more…which I don’t see happening unless everyone gets a fairly hefty tax increase. Not going to happen. > [@](#): > > \*to head off the inevitable highjack about "those with $1,000,000 in assets are not “rich”, I believe the proposal is to increase the tax on the YEARLY INCOME that is above $1,000,000. Thus someone who makes $1,050,000 would pay an additional percentage tax on $50,000. So realistically, one would have to have an INCOME of many millions before they would notice much of a difference. I think it’s safe to say that if you make a million dollars annually you are in the ‘rich’ category. -XT ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/44 "2011-09-19T19:41:57Z")
> [@sh1bu1](#): > > You are assuming that by courting one group you don’t alienate another. If you are a white, straight, middle class, religious woman which of those is more a part of your self identity? If they walked into a group with white men and black women who would they be more comfortable with? It would be awfully nice if some people weren’t so petty that they were “alienated” by the idea of not being completely catered to. I’m a white, straight, middle class woman who would be comfortable with the white men or the black women. As long as neither party is religious. THOSE people give me the screaming meemees. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/45 "2011-09-19T19:52:05Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > I think it’s safe to say that if you make a million dollars annually you are in the ‘rich’ category. > > -XT I don’t know… Rep John Fleming is [whining and crying](http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/09/19/322405/gop-rep-whines-400k/) because he only has $400,000 left over to play with after he uses $200,000 to “feed his family” (they must eat _really_ well) ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/46 "2011-09-19T21:49:19Z")
Whenever I hear a repub use “class warfare”, I automatically think they are defending the upper class and are basically admitting they could give a shit about the other classes. Heck, even if a republican isn’t in the million dollar savings account range, their campaign funds, however, ARE in the millions, so they protect the “future investments”. :rolleyes: I really don’t remember which republican has been calling for higher taxes for the rich, most likely because there aren’t any. Can anyone name a GOPer who supports this idea? ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/47 "2011-09-19T22:58:55Z")
I wish Obama would just come out and say The War is Over, the middle class lost. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/48 "2011-09-20T01:46:09Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > When you advocate raising taxes on only one particular group, you’re penalizing that group. You can call it “warfare” or “penalizing” but the meaning is the same. I think you are confused about who is being penalized under the current tax structure. Warren Buffet has talked on more than one occasion about how he pays a 17% tax rate on his annual income while his secretary pays close to a 35% tax rate. It seems to me you would benefit from an understanding of the difference between having something being “equitable” and something being a “penalty”. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/49 "2011-09-20T01:51:07Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > I wish Obama would just come out and say The War is Over, the middle class lost. No no the middle class has only been decimated, there are a few still alive and kicking the battles not over till there is no middle class. After that battles over they’ll move on to making sure the poor don’t have fancy things like microwaves and refrigerators. I think they’ll declare victory sometime after the bottom 95% starves to death. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/50 "2011-09-20T01:52:51Z")
Chalk one up for Obama in the rhetoric war. I saw him on the news tonight saying (paraphrased): “It’s not class warfare. It’s math.” Touche, prez! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/51 "2011-09-20T02:15:59Z")
Math? Hmph. Elitist. Where’s the flightsuit? Where’s the “Division Accomplished” banner? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/52 "2011-09-20T02:20:38Z")
I dunno… Math is pretty scary to a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/53 "2011-09-20T03:48:41Z")
As long as the rich can sell Jesus to the masses, the masses will be on the side of the rich. Religion is a weapon used by the evil, hateful and greedy. Such is life. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/54 "2011-09-20T04:04:26Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I dunno… Math is pretty scary to a lot of people. Math knows where you live. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/55 "2011-09-20T04:05:33Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > As long as the rich can sell Jesus to the masses . . . No, no, Jesus is the one who sells the masses, nyuk-nyuk-nyuk! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/56 "2011-09-20T04:21:42Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Most Americans are still comfortable, but worried. All the Republicans have to do is convince them that there is no help possible for the poor, that they don’t deserve it anyway, and if they don’t turn their backs, then they will become poor as well. > > So if you don’t want your kids to grow up to be toothless meth freaks in trailers, vote Republican. Well, I 've been actually listening to conservative commentators, and their line is, Obama wants to destroy the middle class. It’s all his fault! It’s an jaw-dropper of a Big Lie, but hell, they’ve been getting away with Big Lies for years with their bright and shiny media machine, no reason they wont get away with this one. It is certainly working for conservatives, and I worry about the idiot independents. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/57 "2011-09-20T22:08:08Z")
It’s a shame that few bother to read history in this country, or teach the lessons of the past in our schools. The same platforms have been used for nearly 300 years in this country, with the same predictable results. Example: America went from prosperity under Federalist rule in 1800 to near bankruptcy by 1814. What happened? Republicans, headed by Jefferson, campaigned on repealing taxes, reducing government spending, cutting regulation, getting rid of the central bank, and other measures, which they did after getting into office. Then they entered into a war with a seriously reduced military and no money or popular support for it. Sound familiar? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/58 "2011-09-21T00:25:17Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Sound familiar? Well, you have to give them credit. The Republican philosophy seems to be that Government is inefficient, costly and idiotic, and they go out of their way to prove it whenever they’re in power. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/59 "2011-09-21T13:28:56Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > Well, I 've been actually listening to conservative commentators, and their line is, Obama wants to destroy the middle class. Is any reason given? ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727/60 "2011-09-21T13:32:48Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Is any reason given? Does there need to be? He’s a socialist! -Joe [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebublican-use-of-the-term-class-warfare/596727.md?page=4)