In Search of the Elite

I find it somewhat amusing that the conservative movement uses the term elite as a derogatory term to described the opposition. Are not the elite in society those people that reside in the upper echelon of society? Economically, socially, politically who exactly are the elite of society? Of the two parties in the US which one has members that tend to be richer, in the upper echelons of society and in greater control of the centers of power, whether government, media, military and corporate? Is it not the Republicans? If so, how is it that they scream about the opposition "elites" when they themselves are elite?

This is where I begin to wonder whether it is all about using an Orwellian strategy of repeatedly saying something that is contrary to the truth and through doing so making something the "conventional wisdom". If so, there is a mass of "ordinary" Americans that are being sadly misled.

Now, given the above, I am still really tired of both sides of the political spectrum at the edges. Both manipulate and twist the truth in the hope of getting or retaining power. All politicians lie. And you don't need to go far to understand why. The vast majority of successful politicians tend to have a high regard for themselves, tend to want power and wealth, and will pretty much do whatever it takes as long as it is not quite breaking the law to get their desires met. I am sure there are a few that do not reflect the above, but I strongly suspect that they are in the majority sadly.

My final point is in reference to this odd belief that we want an 'ordinary American' to lead this nation. Do people seriously believe? I sure hope not. Do you really want your neighbor Bob running this nation? Controlling the nations defense? Negotiating treaties? Dealing with emergencies? Etc. ? Don't people want the best qualified, knowledgable, experienced person we can get our hands on? Do they really want to entrust the fate of 350 million people and perhaps the world to Joe average? Going back to the days of Washington, this country has been led by so called 'elites' for the simple reason that they tended to be better qualified than your typical citizen. Can we really say that with a level of complexity that is many times greater than it was a couple of centuries ago, we now want anything less.

It just all makes me wonder how much of all the stuff is just a bunch of hot air to rile up the masses and make everyone jump to the desired drumroll. Unfortunately, the lemmings are all too willing to jump over the cliff while smiling all the way down. Sad.




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