Joe Bageant: Bass boats and queer marriage

The battle for the American soul is over and Jay Leno won
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Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

  Holy smoking Jesus, America is losing its middle class! “We're taxing the middle class out of existence,” charge the conservatives. “The middle class is being hollowed out,” wail the liberals, pouring forth great mock turtle tears (although one wonders how such a vacuum, as middle class life in America could be further hollowed).

  For both political camps, high dudgeon over “the vanishing middle class” is supposed to represent some sort of “new populism.” Not that the populace disagrees with them, mainly because the populace, if we are referring to the genuine America populace, hasn't the slightest notion of the definition of populism. But the word sounds like it has to do with popularity, the highest virtue in the American mind, and can even lead to the celestial heights called celebrity. So what the hell, they're willing to run with it. 

  In any case, much overwrought political theater is being dedicated to the subject of the middle class’ demise… if demise is the right word for losing its ability to engorge on commodities at obscene levels.