I also think a growing number of people realize the outright instigation of class warfare. Forget for a moment (for those who care) the tenth Commandment:
'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.' Then there is what's known as The Golden rule: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." (Matthew 7:12, see also Luke 6:31) The common English phrasing is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". If you have less than someone else and you covet what they have to the extent that you vote into office a politician who will legislate the taking from said folk and redistributing it to you, keep in mind, you are not the only one getting redistributed to. Besides, two things: first it boils down to nothing more than schadenfreude (okay, it means the delight in another’s misfortune) and second: how much will that really benefit you? After everyone else gets a few pennies, you'll get your few pennies. yay.
Now, follow the model down to those with less than you. They're looking at what you have with a dribble of spittle appearing from the corner of their mouth...Get it? It will never end. The bar will continue to change levels until everyone fits the system.
What I find reprehensible are the ones who wish to wield this power of redistribution, pointing out and embellishing differences in people and groups of people instigating and agitating this envy because that's what will get them elected. Examples of this abound in the media. Most recently agitation took the form of calling income earners of 250K millionaires and billionaires.
Putting aside the fact that individuals in the 250K category are mall shop owners, franchise owners, two income families, gas station owners, otherwise small business owners. I can't think of very many positions where someone else will put someone on payroll at 250K compared to the number of 100K or 150K payroll positions. That's why the categories with income of 250K or more contain the word owner. This title comes with responsibility and risk. Those two items need to be rewarded. Also, it’s nobody’s business how much anyone makes. Any amount set to divide the so-called rich and poor is an arbitrary one. Meddlers.
Other examples are references to "fat-cat bankers" (Obama). What about the media outrage over the big three auto execs flying in private jets to testify before congress. They were so emasculated that they then all carpooled squished into a hybrid for the next visit. The point of this is the incitement to envy and covet. Does pointing out what someone else has compared to what you have really accomplish anything? Other than, making a few feeeeel better? aaahhh....
Emotion… (Again)
Schadenfreude (Again)
SchadenfreudeAppealing to the lowest emotions is the easiest way to garner support and get votes.It's a little more work, but the opposite can be accomplished also by changing the frame of the issue.
For instance: Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built. Abraham Lincoln
In other words, Rich people can inspire that others may also be rich. However, demonizing and demoralizing the rich makes it less desirable to become rich in a sense. Not that being rich isn't the best revenge, but the opinions of others undulate and agitate creating discomfort amongst peers.
Other ways higher emotions can be appealed to, is by presenting successful (which needs to be defined on an individual basis) people and describing the level of self-discipline it took to get there. Combine self-discipline with passion and the ability to make decisions (as well as the ability to learn from incorrect decisions) and very literally, anyone can become successful. The people on the Left want to live in a consequence free society.
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