elite = good

Reading about the speeches that Sarah Palin has been giving in the past few days has really got me thinking about the time tested right wing strategy of decrying "liberal elites" and the "elitism" of Mr. Obama. They would have us believe that we are better off run by lipstick wearing hockey moms and their joe sixpack husbands, because, well, thats who (on average) Americans are. And hey, the whole idea behind democracy is that the majority is always right, right?

Well, I beg to differ. Here are some things to consider in defense of elitism:

1) Remember the Constitution? (also known as W's toilet paper) The framers of the Constitution set up our government with a system of checks and balances that not only checked power across the three branches of government (as commonly known), but also within each branch (less commonly considered). The Senate, with fewer members serving longer terms, was designed to be the more deliberative body of the two, and as such was seen as a place to be insulated from the passions of the mob and the more mob-like House. As such, the Senate was also given additional responsibilities (including the exclusive right to ratify treaties and confirm judicial appointments). Furthermore, the members of the Senate were originally selected by the state legislatures, further insulating them from the whims of the general populace. Again, the framers were on to something. Here we see structured elitism: the more powerful arm of the legislative branch was an elite one. Why? Because the framers only wanted the best of the best, the most able and capable making the big decisions for the country.

2) Joe Six Pack is a Fucking Idiot! I work in a public school. In an average county. I would say it is fairly representative of middle America. Lets call it Joe Six Pack Canning Factory. In the position of quality assurance inspector in this factory, my professional assessment is: THIS COUNTRY IS FUCKED (educationally speaking). Not to say that kids are dumb, it just seems like they don't give a GOD DAMN if they learn or not. They are (honest to God) more worried about who is fighting who at the park and if Lil' Wayne's newest song is "whack" or not. They are disiniterested in science class and could care less about how to write effectively in their native language (or any other for that matter). These are the people that are going to be "responsible adults" in a few years? HOLY SHIT, we are in for a wild ride. If these kids, the same ones that struggle to find the Ukraine on a map or not know that Africa is NOT A COUNTRY, are going to be judging who gets to lead our cities, states, and nation... I'm betting on more of the same culture war crap, assault on reason bullshit we get from a lot of traditional candidates these days. Because if you are too unmotivated to pick up a book and do your homework, good luck actually thinking critically about the shit that the people you vote for (or are too apathetic to vote for) do in your name.

3) Elite != Privileged, for fuck's sake: There is a great difference between these two terms, and I think it strikes to the heart of the "elitist" attack. Most people would see a strong relationship between these two words, that one necessarily implies the other. Not so, I say. Here is an example:

George W. Bush = privileged. Bush did not get good grades in school. Empirical observation would tell us that he wasn't a very good businessman. He hasn't been a great president, either. He is where he is today mainly because he is privileged. His father was the 41st President and his family is incredibly wealthy. Privileged in this sense is having the best in life because of the circumstances you are born in to.

Barack Obama = elite. Obama got very good grades in school (you don't end up being president of Harvard Law Review on accident). Empirical observation wold tell us that he has been fairly successful at most things he has put his mind to. He has risen through the political ranks through a demonstrated ability to convey his message to people and has had legislative success when he hasn't been seeking a higher office. He is where he is today because he is an intellectual and political elite. He came from a supremely modest background (mother on food stamps, raised by grandparents) and has risen to where he is today. Elite in this sense is having natural brilliance and fortitude to make the most of yourself, despite what circumstances you are born into.

In this example, who do you trust? The "elitist" who is where he is today because he is very able and smart or the privileged man who pretty much fell ass-backwards into prominence?


Summary: elitism = not so bad. When it comes down to it, do you want the person who has committed themselves to gaining more knowledge and bettering themselves (the intellectual elite) or joe six pack who really doesn't care to use their brain for anything more than carrying out what their basic impulses command?


Give me the elite any day.