Critical thinking: concepts and applications

Unequal Wealth

This chapter of the book begins with a look at the reasons behind the quickly eroding membership of labor unions, and how that erosion is affecting the redistribution of wealth. The chapter blames much of the erosion squarely on the back of conservatives and the elite, in particular citing the Reagan administration, Gingrich congress and of course the Bush administration, never once mentioning the fact that for most of the decline seen in union membership, liberal Democrats have been in control.

The chapter continues to blame conservative politics for the lack of social programs and the slowdown in redistribution of wealth. The chapter focuses on that fact because, unlike in past decades, there are now more Republicans in the South, which is translated into conservative legislative bodies that are actually more interested in lining their own pockets with wealth than in caring for their social duties.

The chapter reads as a whine against progression, globalization, modernization and, of course, conservatism. When such statements are made that 'the new form of racialized Southern politics inevitably produced policies that favor political and economical elites to the disadvantage of the vast majority of average citizens" (pg 16) the reader has to wonder if the author has actually done any research or is just making statements for effect.

An example is given that shows a working man doubling his income from $50k to $100 k per year as compared to someone who earns $1,000 doubling income to $2,000 per year.