Southern-Italian Americans and the 99% vs. 1% American Class Dichotomy

Clearly, the accompanying picture captures the reality of the class character of American’s current political economy; i.e. great masses of people who had no say in government/economic decisions are suffering the consequences of those decisions. They have lost jobs, pensions, health insurance, homes, and even gone to jail. At the same time the 1% who made the decisions, leading to the horrendous consequences for 99% of the people, got and still are getting rich and richer. Meanwhile, the Italian American literati and promeneti have been engaged in mock-heroic (Windmill Tilting) debates, about ‘Guidos and Gangsters’ in the media. Talk about ‘Ivory Tower’ aloof! These upper middle class Italian Americans, perfect examples of what Hesse characterized as “Magister Ludi - Glass Bead Game” players, are completely oblivious and unconcerned that the vast majority of near seventeen million southern-Italian Americans are solidly in the ranks of the 99% masses... “Ya know, professor Italiano Amerdacano...Like I just lost my job, pension, health insurance and the bank is threatening to foreclose on my home! But ya know what REALLY bothers me is the image of Italian Americans on the Sopranos and Jersey Shore. I really appreciate your commitment to, and all that you are doing for, southern-Italian Americans... By the way buddy, have you got a dime.”