kyeshinka's Comments (31)

“They've turned meritocracy into a dirty word. Despite all that palaver about pulling oneself up by the bootstraps and getting educated and making ones own way, even while showing solidarity with really rich people who are entrenched in politics and using their money and influence to run the system, they seem to dislike anyone that informs themselves enough to challenge the system.

They're a reactionary movement that's been manipulated to defend the true elites of this country -- like the health insurance industry. So in reality, they're mobilized in defense of elites against the middle class.

Except that much of history shows that a strong and vibrant middle class is often what fuels a vibrant culture with a strong economy, increased liberties and social justice. Wealth polarization tends to be a handmaiden of a country's plunge into the toilet. Without a vibrant middle class, there wouldn't have been Athenian Democracy, the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Reformation or the Enlightenment. More to the point, the US became very prosperous in the 1950's when the middle class family prospered accordingly.

The middle class are not the elites, and the wealthiest members of any thriving society need them to harvest. But they're bad farmers in this country, and now they're turning the mobs against them instead of tending to their fields.”

“Just to make sure I had it right... I checked Merriam Webster. Being elite has little to do w/ money. Here's the actually entry for your perusal.

1 : the choice part or segment : FLOWER, CREAM, ARISTOCRACY : as a : a segment or group regarded as socially superior b : highly trained soldiers”

“That's because, as far as I can see, "elite" is one of those words here that has been transformed into meaning "egotistical". Someone that flaunts what one or both may see as a strong ability (often intelligence, but any proficiency is good enough). At least one of the replies to you has already mistaken the word for ego.

Except that elite doesn't mean that. The closest it may mean to that is a person of the highest class or that may exert a lot of power/influence. If you notice, most of the people using it deploy it as a personality trait, and mostly negative. How often do you see "elite humanitarian"?

Thing is, I WANT elite policymakers. I WANT someone that may be at the top of the game in knowing how to craft and implement programs. But for some reason in the US it seems that "common" or "average" is good, and "elite" is bad.”

“In the United States, "elite" can now be defined as "anyone who isn't stupid and ignorant."”

“Actually, recent polling has shown that those who identify as strongly liberal fall into two demographic groups: The rich (salary 200,000+), and the poor (under 30,000 a year). Basically, those that can afford to throw money away, and those who could use government support. Tea partiers are actually middle or lower middle class (working class) in general. Just look at how they are dressed in general at rallies. They arent exactly rolling around in Armani suits. It is a part of the reason why the term liberal elite which has a lot more traction these days due to its large demographic of ultra rich constituents.”

“When I think of an Elitist, I think of a judgmental Prius owner, who tells you that driving your 1980's pickup truck is ecoterrorism and thinks he/she is better than you. He or she also talks with their eyes closed.”

“Being educated doesn't make someone an elitist. The elite normally are very rich, powerful, and condescending. It's an arrogance our leaders have that leads them to have a 'Father knows best' mentality. They continually ignore the American public on the left and the right because they don't care. They will continue their agenda to keep power and amass more riches. There are elitists from both sides of the political spectrum. The right are hypocrites if they are going to accuse only the left of elitism.”

“Maybe if they didn't travel so much they wouldn't be broke.”

“The Hamptons votes Democratic. Cant get much richer or elite than that. New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco.­..these area relatively rich areas that tend to vote Democratic. The South is much poorer and tends to vote GOP. Although there are rich that support both sides, I think it probably tips to the Left.”

“you are tying elitists with money... a great many of liberal elitists are flat broke, but no less guilty of looking down thier collective noses at the working class... it's about frame of mind, not checkbook balance.”

“Define flat broke. Do you mean they don't have houses on the coasts or take lots of vacations? Because working class flat broke means you have to wait until payday to buy groceries and are eating ramen noodles for the next three days.”

“I don't think even the poster knew what his point was supposed to be.”

“What a liar .get him off the air”

“I love Jay and his show is getting better.”

“I'm originally from Steve King's district. Every time I hear something about him it makes me glad I moved!”

“What dictatorship, ignoramus?”

“China is becoming the new economic superpower because fo our spending. And you and your progressive friends continue to demand more and more. You are at fault for the very situation you just criticized.”