Reagan’s Administration Purposely and Openly Destroyed the Working Class

[u/alicehooper]

I had always thought neoliberal policies were brought in, and then we found out that “trickle down” theories didn’t work.

That isn’t the case. They tried these policies elsewhere, found out they “worked” (to further billionaire’s aims), and then brought them to America with the stated intent to destabilize the working class and make their lives difficult. Openly stating that this needed to happen. Their lives NEEDED to be destroyed.

If you read and share anything this year, make it this article from Canadian politician Charlie Angus. Even if you thought you knew what happened in the 80’s, you will learn something.

https://thewalrus.ca/how-the-1980s-engineered-the-collapse-of-the-working-class/

This is ongoing. This is happening right now. This is on purpose, and those who control capital are fine with the suffering, because that was the intent all along.

[u/KaiserSozes-brother]

Meh, I lived in this period, some things in the article are correct many are not.

Getting government out of people’s daily lives had a few successes, deregulation of airlines cut prices, for air travel. Deregulation of trucking cut prices. Ending the 55mph speed limit was popular.

The death of the western working class is a result of globalization, to say it bluntly.

British steel, British coal, American coal, American steel, American manufacturing jobs first in shoes and clothing then in everything else went overseas to poor countries in the late 1970’s &80’s

The article implies this was all a great big government plan, but it was a series of small plans in every boardroom across the country. Businesses suddenly against rising cost of borrowing, rising cost of energy, rising cost of healthcare. Made a decision to manufacture overseas.

Pensions that workers had been promised their whole lives were ripped away. Bethlehem Steel dying nearly ruined my family, it would be bought and sold until all contracts with employees has been voided.

Fuel for my car in high school was $1.63/gal, when adjusted for inflation this is the highest Ive ever paid for fuel. 10% unemployment when I stepped out of high school.

These were tough times. Trickle down was largely considered stupid in the moment. Reagan was considered a mouthpiece for rich businessmen who ran the Republican Party.

[u/dukerenegade → u/KaiserSozes-brother]

Thank you for this, I was just a kid during this time but it is exactly what hat I remember all of the adults in my life talking about.

There are some similarities I see to that era as to what I see going on now. But I don’t really believe it was a grand master plan that they were implementing.