The GOP Is the New Party of the Working Class

Who would’ve thunk it?

Dale M. Glading

For more than a century, the Democratic Party could count on the loyal support of unions, blue collar workers, and minorities. For whatever reason, they saw the Democrats as the ones who cared about the “little guy” and looked out for their interests.

As for the Republicans, they were perceived to be a bunch of fat cats who just wanted to line their own pockets at the expense of the working class. And as we know in both life and politics, perception is often reality.

From FDR to LBJ… steel workers, coal miners, electricians, auto mechanics, and plumbers usually voted a straight Democratic ticket. That trend continued well into the 21st century – with a minor hiccup during the Reagan administration – and helped catapult Barack Obama and Joe Biden into the White House.

And then came Donald J. Trump. Whether he caused the change or was simply a beneficiary of it (or both), President Trump won the votes of working-class Americans because they identified with the billionaire from New York who was rough around the edges. He spoke their language and listened to their concerns. Meanwhile, the Democrats turned a deaf ear to middle-class Americans who were struggling to make ends meet, choosing to cozy up to the liberal elite instead.

Somehow, “Lunch bucket Joe” convinced the union rank and file that he was one of them, but Kamala Harris made it crystal clear that she preferred the company of Oprah, J-Lo, and Cardi B… and it cost her.

The bottom line is that, for generation after generation, the Democratic Party took blue collar workers for granted, just like they did minorities. But you can only get away with ignoring an entire voting block for so long before they start to feel like a jilted lover.

Here is how Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont who caucuses with the Democrats, described the situation. “It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them.”

OUCH! Sometimes – make that ALL the time – the truth hurts. And that inconvenient truth is this: the Democratic Party no longer belongs to or caters to working class Americans. Instead, it dances to the tune of the liberal elite on both coasts… and so, it is only fitting that those were about the only states that Kamala Harris won.

Just days before the election, Joe Biden let the cat out of the bag, calling Trump supporters “garbage.” Unfortunately for Joe, Kamala, and the rest of the Democratic hierarchy, that trash can was filled with the same blue collar workers who built their Party, only to be cast aside like a bunch of day-old rubbish. Meanwhile, Donald Trump made them feel welcome and they returned the favor.

Perhaps FOX News commentator Greg Gutfeld put it best. “The Democrats shouldn’t be surprised that when you call people names, they don’t like it.” Not only that, but people who are ignored and insulted tend to pull the lever for the other party, the one that openly courted and embraced them.

Rev. Dale Glading is an ordained Baptist minister who has spent the past 35 years serving prisoners and at-risk youth; first as Founder and Executive Director of The Saints Prison Ministry, and second as Founder and President of Risk Takers for Christ.  During his ministry career, Dale has shared the gospel – using sports as a vehicle – with an estimated 500,000 inmates in more than 400 different correctional institutions throughout North America and Africa.

Dale and his wife Deanna have been married for 39 years, and God has blessed them with three adult children and six precious grandchildren.  Dale is an accomplished speaker, a published author, and a former two-time candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.  His faith-based political blog (daleglading.com) has a strong and growing readership and his biting commentaries are frequently cross-posted on conservative websites throughout the country.

A native of New Jersey, Dale and his family relocated to Florida in 2011 and are happy to call the Sunshine State their adopted home.