I was surprised and a little shocked by Sam Faddis’s description of what he described as an overturning of a “standard narrative” of political conflict in the United States. (Baltimore Sun, “The U.S. is Divided,” May 6, 2024.) Mr. Faddis apparently believes that the United States is in the midst of a class struggle between “the American people” and “self important . . . white liberals [who are] isolated from reality.” He apparently thinks that we have finally achieved that illusion of a “post-racial society.”

A little historical perspective may be helpful in understanding where we are today. Historically the “standard narrative” has been that the Republican party represented the interests of the wealthy and of businesses, and the Democratic party represented the working class. Republicans sought to reduce taxes, especially for themselves, and reduce regulations on businesses.

The Democratic party, meanwhile, brought us programs like Social Security and Medicare, and supported funding for education and the protection of the environment. All of these were programs that benefited the middle class and all of them were originally vehemently opposed by Republicans. The Democratic party was, admittedly, late to supporting the Civil Rights movement, but since the late 1960s, the Democratic party has been one of the strongest advocates for Black economic and political power. Again, this was in opposition to the Republican party, whose policies have hurt urban areas that are majority Black and which have diluted Black voting power.

Much has changed over the past decade, and new political alignments are forming. But much remains the same. Republicans still support lowering taxes on the wealthy and eliminating regulations on corporations. Republican policies will only lead to further disfranchisement of Blacks, a dirtier environment, and, more recently, restrictions on women’s right to control their bodies. The most fundamental changes in the Republican party recently, have not been in their essential ideology. It has been their success in gaslighting a large segment of the population through conspiracy theories and outright lies, and through the rise of a messianic cult of personality that has made many social differences appear less relevant.