The strategy used by Republican candidates for president and other offices is “divide and distract:”

From Robert Reich

The strategy used by Republican candidates for president and other offices is “divide and distract:” Divide us by race, ethnicity, and religion – and use those divisions to distract Americans from the huge upward distribution of income and wealth that’s been occurring for three decades, from the bottom 99 percent of Americans to the top 1 percent (especially to the top 0.1).

The strategy feeds on itself. Turning us against each other has become easier because of the economic stresses most Americans feel. This is the first economic recovery in history in which all gains have gone to the top while the median household has become worse off, adjusted for inflation. Economic insecurity is rampant. Most Americans worry about their futures. Two-thirds are living paycheck to paycheck. Many are angry and frustrated.

That insecurity and anger is easily manipulated -- channeled into a politics of hate targeting immigrants, the poor, Muslims, women who receive abortions or even contraceptives, gays, government, and liberals.

Which, in turn, serves Republican’s wealthy patrons because it distracts Americans from what’s been happening economically. The greatest fear of the billionaire class that's funding Republicans is that a majority of Americans would otherwise join together politically and demand an economy organized for the many, not the few.

In this way, “divide and distract” is a winning strategy for them. But it is a losing strategy for America. We must not let them succeed.

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