In order to enslave the law-abiding middle-class, you must have a pool of enforcers who do not have any connection to or sympathy for the middle-class -- a violent class of people who can be relied upon to stomp anyone who might dare to speak out against the new rulers, and intimidate the rest into keeping silent
When the government becomes very protective of the criminal class, you can predict where it will lead
Great observation, straight from Germany, Russia, and A Clockwork Orange.