The trope is well refuted by Boudreaux and Perry, but (as they doubtless know) its function has never been to catalyze serious economic analysis. It functions merely as an excuse for interventionist politicians who want excuses to further expand the power of government in order to reward their political allies. The trope suckers voters into supporting politicians who claim that they’re for the struggling middle class, but intend to succor union leaders, environmental zealots, the education establishment and so on. Expanding the scope and cost of the government is exactly the opposite of what would actually benefit the middle class, namely lower taxes, increasing private investment, a more efficient educational system, and less waste of our limited resources on political boondoggles.
I try to explain this to my fellow middle classers and they sneer and call me a racist.