There was a brief, all-too fleeting period in the mid-20th centrury where the ruling capitalist classes paid some lip service to progress, to equality, to basic human decency. Frightened to death by a wave of revolution and class consciousness sweeping the Earth, as well as the lethal delusion of equality that Communism might instill in the masses, they gave some concessions to the working class so as to avoid the tide of bloody revolt rising up to their doorsteps. The welfare state of the post-WWII West was not some gracious gift from the Haves to the Have Nots, it was a few crumbs from the table designed to sate a starving beast that might otherwise turn to revolution. Then, gradually, as the threat faded away and the threat of an ideological alternative collapsed, the ruling classes withdrew the crumbs bit by bit, safe in the knowledge that the brainwashed and browbeaten masses would never do anything to threaten their position. Now, several decades after the beginning of the neoliberal counter-revolution from the top and over ten years since the seismic global shock that should’ve seen the total reformation of a corrupt economic order but instead led to more of the same—and fresh from the victorious quashing of two threats to their rule—the ruling elites no longer feel the need to consistently mask their contempt for the downtrodden of the Earth who create all value whilst enjoying almost none of its spoils. Exhibit A: Trump Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett, over the long weekend referring to the working class of America that will soon be forced to go back to work during a deadly pandemic as ‘human capital stock’:

White House adviser Kevin Hassett: "Our human capital stock is ready to go back to work." #HumanCapitalStock pic.twitter.com/Yl9KwJf6KP

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 25, 2020

Naturally, Twitter had some thoughts on the brazenly honest moment.

Human capital stock? Fu*k this ghoul. https://t.co/wkIEeARaGw

— Sara Nelson (@FlyingWithSara) May 26, 2020

Welp.

We're now "human capital stock." https://t.co/cPuZbW5C24

— Laffy (@GottaLaff) May 25, 2020

“Well, officer, we asked him about the weird smell coming from his apartment. And then he used the phrase ‘human capital stock’ while suppressing a giggle so we immediately called you guys.” https://t.co/pmNXNnXsRY

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 25, 2020

nice to know how our masters think of us https://t.co/qRr353exO2

— David Graeber (@davidgraeber) May 26, 2020

.@realDonaldTrump's economic advisor Kevin Hassett said the quiet part out loud today on #CNN. “Our human capital stock is ready to get back to work"
"Human capital stock"? Let that sink in for a sec.
This is how the @GOP defines #AmericanWorkers!

— cheerio grrrl (@cheeriogrrrl) May 24, 2020

WHAT THE HELL IS HUMAN CAPITAL STOCK????? #HumanCapitalStock https://t.co/rleGZiSA4C

— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) May 25, 2020

I didn’t expect to get so emotional when my human capital stock got his first tooth yesterday but I’m a big ol sap! https://t.co/mETUYuilFj

— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) May 25, 2020

"Human capital stock." Also known as people; as mothers and fathers and spouses and siblings.

They've always been indifferent to human life. And in the face of mass death, the masks are coming off. https://t.co/I96qqkWEwU

— Leah Greenberg (@Leahgreenb) May 25, 2020

Before 1865, American insurance companies sold policies to protect “human capital stock.” But the 13th amendment abolished the practice of owning human beings. Some folks need to be reminded.https://t.co/HN0unJK2DR

— Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II (@RevDrBarber) May 25, 2020

The vulgarity of referring to human beings as "human capital stock"- which sounds a lot like "cattle"-is that it's not a new attitude. Slaves were viewed this way, as were the workers in dingy, dangerous early 20th century factories. This isn't Trumpism, it's a right wing ethos. https://t.co/nZMOLR78gx

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) May 26, 2020

This is jarring because my enslaved ancestors were literally human capital stock. No matter what, they were always told to go back to work. This could be 1820. https://t.co/QewmHrigLL

— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) May 25, 2020

This is how the Trump White House sees you, American human capital stock. https://t.co/J9ySdxHdlm

— John Walke (@JohnDWalke) May 25, 2020

At least the rich are finally admitting they see the majority of Americans as cattle they are farming for profit.

Trump economic adviser: ‘Our human capital stock is ready to get back to work’ https://t.co/mgnE6RTuhw

— Paul Chambers🌊📢🏥🤡 (@feedingtubepaul) May 24, 2020

I didn’t like it when I was a teenager and the name of my mom’s job was changed from “Personnel,” to “Human Resources”. The reframing from “person” to “resource,” seemed blatantly dehumanizing. I didn’t think they’d come up with an even worse term. #stock

— Jane Espenson (@JaneEspenson) May 26, 2020

"Human capital stock." Always remember: This is what you are to them. Stock. Lambs to the slaughter. https://t.co/28k7CE4f8D

— Marc Bernardin (@marcbernardin) May 25, 2020

Memorial Day is a somber occasion when Americans remember the depletion of human capital stock in wars. https://t.co/AUUzEIMInj

— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) May 25, 2020

“…our human capital stock.”

These guys aren’t supposed to say that part out loud. pic.twitter.com/KVIyGSdWiC

— joe kennedy III is a republican (@proustmalone) May 25, 2020

Enough of the economics jargon. Do not say "human capital stock" when you mean to say "bone broth." https://t.co/Wxw6snmelA

— David Roth (@david_j_roth) May 25, 2020

Petr is a staff contributor. You can follow him on Twitter.

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