Re.: Lula: "I think that I've changed, changed a lot"

[Chris Brady <cdbrady@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The redoubtable New York Times opines that Lula needs "middle class
support" to win the election.  Can somebuddy please enlighten me as to
just precisely whom the NY Times might include in the "middle class" of
Brazil, and what percentage of the population is comprised of that
"middle class"?
That "middle class" is not in the center or equidistant from all sides,
nor halfway between top and bottom in numbers or wealth.  I'm sorry, but
this definition "middle class" is not helpful.  In fact, I think it
actually is obfuscational. The "middle class" muddles class.  I might be
more inclined to use a term such as "petit bourgeoisie".

And furthermore, what is that class in the "middle" of?  It does start
to make a little sense in a material relationship to the class above it
and the class below it.  The middle class is the class *between* the
capitalist class and the working class.  Perhaps it would be most useful
to define the middle class as in relation to its function, as an
intermediate, intervening class.   What does that mean?  But note well:
this cannot be simply "understood" because the relationship is
constantly and consistently overlooked in reports such as that from the
Times of New York.  Everyone in the United States just assumes it means
them.  By everyone I mean everyone except the very rich and the very
poor.

The reason I raise this issue is because we have been discussing
education.  We get involved among ourselves with some pretty arcane
debates, and that is necessary to resolve certain difficult issues. But
the most pressing and difficult issue is for the masses to know
themselves for who they are in the context of history.  I am not talking
down, or about doing so, but as one of many organic intellectuals who
are with the people.

Actually, over the past few years the middling classes have been stalled
in the so-called developed world, with many falling fully into the
working class, usually innocent of their new role, and unorganized in
it, and many of their progeny about to be as well.  This is an
opportunity.  I suspect the capitalist think tanks may be aware of this,
and that might be the reason there has been such a resurgence of
red-baiting lately, as a pre-defence.  That should be a hint: time to
take the offensive.  Knowledge is power.  Pass it along.  The capitalist
class cannot save us.  It condemns us.



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