I have faith in the elite. Like one of my heros, I believe this:

[cali]

"I believe in aristocracy... — if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power... but... of the sensitive, the considerate... Its members are to be found in all nations and classes, and all through the ages... there is a secret understanding between them when they meet. They represent the true human tradition, the one permanent victory of our queer race over cruelty and chaos. Thousands of them perish in obscurity, a few are great names. They are sensitive for others as well as themselves... considerate without being fussy, their pluck is not swankiness but the power to endure."

E.M. Forester.

I sure as hell don't claim to belong to that elite, but I've known people who are members of it.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. "Elite" is defined by many as anyone who thinks for themselves. K&R

God forbid that anyone not go along with the herd, pander to them, praise their ignorance, extol their "down to earth" simplicity and offer simplistic solutions to them, and, of course, condemn the smart-ass intellectuals who actually think.


“The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same.” Marie Beyle

[cali]

3. yep. and I just happen to love that quote of Forester's

I think he captures something essential.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. I find the whole concept of extolling the virtues of the "working class" condescending.

It's another way of saying, "be happy in your work". Don't strive to improve yourself, your society, just be a happy little worker, go bowling, drink cheap beer, and slave your life away for the bosses.

I came from a "working class" family who yearned for something more than a lunch-bucket and a pat on the head from boss.

I was "working class" most of my life, hungry-poor as a kid and occasionally homeless. There was nothing in the least noble or uplifting about being "the salt of the earth" and poor.

To watch the likes of Hillary, and her ilk, standing on a pickup and condemning the "elite" is nauseating. I'd love to see her work at a dead-end job and then praise it.

[OHdem10]

2. I agree, My favorite President was from the elite of the elite,

the Aristocracy. Yes, FDR ans aristocrat, understood and was able
to connect with middle working class and poor.

The trick for elites is not to appear elitist.

[Political Heretic]

5. The culture of anti-intellectualism in america saddens me.