Ben Stein is Exxon Mobil

Naked Capitalism contends that Ben Stein is Exxon Mobil when Ben Stein tries to defend Exxon Mobil against an attack by Barak Obama:

No, Stein isn't willing to consider that high profits by Exxon Mobil in an essential product like oil represent a transfer from the have-nots to the haves.

Cut Stein's argument to its core, and it's blatant free market run rampant: we shouldn't interfere with the God-given right of any company to earn a profit because it will hurt the investors. But Stein goes further and claims that the interests of investors are identical with those of the US public. Was he asleep when they talked about class warfare in school?

In fact, a September 2007 Pew Research Center study found that the US population increasingly sees itself divided along class lines. There was an even split among respondents as to whether they agreed or disagreed with the notion that the country was split along economic lines, while in 1988, 71% rejected it. Similarly, only 45% today consider themselves to be among the 'haves.'

Emphasis in original

Interesting.

Unfortunately, recognition that classes exist does not usually extend to any deeper analysis of their origins. The deeply ingrained anti-communism of the US public would prevent any counternance of a Marxist analysis.