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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFareed Zakaria: Trump's populism a reaction to elitist gop refusal to call evil evil
https://fareedzakaria.com/author/fareedzakariawp/The mealy-mouthed cowardice of Americas elites after Charlottesville
By Fareed Zakaria
(Copied in full because this was sent out in a mass emailing for dissemination)
Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017
Much of the United States has reacted swiftly and strongly to President Trumps grotesque suggestion that there is a moral equivalence between the white supremacists who converged last weekend on Charlottesville and those who protested against them. But the delayed, qualified and mealy-mouthed reactions of many in Americas leadership class tell a disturbing story about the countrys elites and the reason we are living in an age of populist rebellion.
The least respected of todays leaders are, of course, politicians. The public largely views them as craven and cowardly, pandering to polls and focus groups. And that is how too many Republican officials have behaved in the face of Trumps words and actions. With some honorable exceptions, men and women who usually cannot stop pontificating on every topic on live TV have suddenly gone mute on the biggest political subject of the day.
I know. They worry about the base, about primaries, about right-wing donors. But shouldnt they also worry about their country and their conscience? Shouldnt they ask themselves why they went into public service in the first place? And if they see someone at the highest level trampling on the values of the country, shouldnt they speak up directly, forcefully and without qualification?
Business leaders, meanwhile, are still among the most respected and envied people in the United States. They run vast organizations, get paid on a scale that makes their predecessors from just 25 years ago look middle-class, and live in a bubble of private planes, helicopters and limousines. In other words, they have all the wealth, power and security that should allow them to set standards and lead.
Again, with some honorable exceptions, business leaders have been cowards. Most of them surely think Trump is a charlatan, a snake-oil salesman. In the past, some chose not to do business with him because they believed he was unethical. Others were initially amused by his candidacy but regarded his rhetoric on trade, immigration and refugees as loathsome. And yet, almost none spoke out against him. Few even distanced themselves after Trump blamed many sides for the violence in Charlottesville. Had Merck chief executive Kenneth Frazier not resigned from one of Trumps advisory boards and Trump not doubled down on his initial comments, it is unclear how many other CEOs would have spoken out. And even then, some jumped ship from the advisory councils only when it became clear that there was really no alternative.
The United States technology pioneers might be the most admired people on the planet. They are viewed as smart, innovative and successful. Many are not just rich but also claim to be wise beyond words, prophets of the future who opine on space travel and artificial intelligence. Can they not see what is going on right here on Earth at the White House and condemn it?
Where are evangelical Christian leaders on a matter of basic morality? While some have made their voices heard, it is striking how many have not, or have even endorsed Trumps comments. Do they have a burning moral duty to speak out against transgender bathroom access but not neo-Nazi violence?
The United States once did have more public-minded elites. But they came from a small, clubby world, the Protestant establishment. Not all were born rich, but they knew they had a secure place atop the country. They populated the nations boardrooms, public offices and best schools. This security gave them greater comfort in exercising moral leadership.
Today we have a more merit-based elite, what is often called a meritocracy. It has allowed people from all walks of life to rise up into positions of power and influence. But these new elites are more insecure, anxious and self-centered. Politicians are likely to be solo entrepreneurs, worried about the next primary or fundraiser. CEOs live with the constant fear that they might lose their jobs or that their company might lose its customers in an instant. Religious leaders worry that they will lose congregants. These groups may not think they have the luxury to be high-minded, but they do. They are vastly more secure than most people in America, or in human history. If they cannot act out of broader interest, who can?
The public figures who deserve the most praise this week are the military brass. In a remarkable act of leadership for people who actually work under the president, the heads of five branches of the armed forces independently issued statements unequivocally denouncing racism and bigotry. Perhaps this is because the military has been the institution that has most successfully integrated the nations diverse population. Perhaps it is because the military remains an old-fashioned place, where a sense of honor, standards and values still holds. The military chiefs have shown why they still command so much respect in the country. Americas other elites should take note.
(c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group
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Fareed Zakaria: Trump's populism a reaction to elitist gop refusal to call evil evil (Original Post)
lindysalsagal
Aug 2017
OP
Yes! This point has not been made so far. It's political B.S. that they voted against.
lindysalsagal
Aug 2017
#2
elleng
(130,699 posts)1. 'and the reason we are living in an age of populist rebellion.'
Important.
lindysalsagal
(20,561 posts)2. Yes! This point has not been made so far. It's political B.S. that they voted against.
Trouble is, he is an even worse liar that the rest of them.
oxbow
(2,034 posts)3. This is how gerrymandering destroys the moral fabric...
So many members of congress in "safe" R districts are now held hostage by the worst impulses of their constituents and the white supremacist in chief.
lindysalsagal
(20,561 posts)4. Exactly. Strategy matters.
Hekate
(90,519 posts)5. KnR
Mme. Defarge
(8,006 posts)6. As people of very modest means,
my husband (of blessed memory) and I (we made it to 40 years) had, as a top priority, a goal of having our "go to hell money". It was so that we would never have to take crap off of anyone, or compromise our core values. Because of this I had the privilege/luxury of "speaking truth to power" on multiple occasions.
Much good can be done with money, but it does not necessarily buy happiness - especially if it means selling your honor or your soul.
Duppers
(28,117 posts)7. Not "selling your honor or your soul."
I appreciate the values expressed in your awesome post. Thank you.
Mme. Defarge
(8,006 posts)8. Pas de quoi.