The politics of It's A Wonderful Life [View All]

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We have our own little eco-system in the film, It's A Wonderful Life. But has anyone ever sat down and considered the actual working politics in the film? Here's my take--post your own!

George Bailey has got to be a liberal. While he works with money as a Savings and Loan CEO, his goal is to help other folks realize their dreams of owning a home, and help save a little to pad their future retirement.

Mary Bailey could be a passive conservative, but she's got enough spunk to remain mostly an Independent. She assists in many of George's projects, and had the foresight at the end to ask friends and family members to help with the problem they're facing.

Potter is obviously a conservative. No doubt about that--and one of the worst kind, too--he's in it to make his money bags heavier, without thinking of the welfare of anyone else.

Bert and Ernie are blue collar workers, which in some cases means unions. This makes them members of the working class, and therefore they are, on the surface, Democrats, but I suspect they also have a "middle-of-the-road" position at the same time.

Violet is a working girl. If she doesn't support women's rights, she's kidding herself. Despite her continuing problems, she's also an Independent, with a strong lean to the left.

Harry Bailey is a war hero. They don't go into a huge amount of depth on his history, but I think he is a Republican, though not of the same wicked caliber as Potter. He's what most of "middle America" was like when the movie was made, which has in many ways since then become perverted by the radical right.

Mary Bailey's mother is clearly a Repub. Thank goodness Mary doesn't listen to her!

Sam Wainwright is another Repub. Very much in the same vein as Harry Bailey. Clearly motivated, without any compunctions about what he does and how he gets there. Not evil by any stretch, just a businessman who puts that business first.

Mr. Gower the druggist is a Repub. But I suspect he isn't very politically motivated.

Mr. Martini and Nick, the bar owner and bartender respectively are definitely Democrats. You can't really run a business like a bar without having some sort of desire to serve the people.

Ma Bailey is one of those old fashioned women who were silent about their politics in front of the men,but probably secretly had a desire to go out and campaign for women's rights if the opportunity ever came.

How right do you think I am? Suggestions? Discussion?

I just thought this would be fun considering the film is one of the world's most beloved holiday fantasies, and to see it in the context of its political message.