What can we do, Lexington Green asks, to undermine our dysfunctional ruling class‘s cultural confidence?
Why does an elite that is actually not admirable in what it does, and not effective or productive, that has added little or nothing of value to the civilizational stock, that cannot possibly do the things it claims it can do, that services rent-seekers and the well-connected, that believes in an incoherent mishmash of politically correct platitudes, that is parasitic, have such an elevated view of itself?
The old British aristocracy could at least truthfully say that they had physical courage and patriotism and cared for their shires and neighborhoods and served for free as justices of the peace. The old French aristocracy could at least truthfully say that had refinement and manners and a love for art and literature and sophistication and beautiful things. The old Yankee elite could truthfully say that it was enterprising and public spirited and willing to rough it and do hard work when necessary. This lot have little or nothing to be proud of, but they are arrogant as Hell.
Why aren’t these people laughed out of the room?
Jim Bennett describes our ruling class as all noblesse and no oblige.
The answer is simple, but it requires a lot of buy-in from ‘the rest of us’. Simply mock them at every opportunity and practice discrimination against them. Status is only felt when it is recognized, so fail to recognize it. Treat them like much of society would treat a redneck from WV. Don’t bother to look at resumes from people who have their status markers, or do business with them. Make a degree from Harvard, Yale, or Princeton a scarlet letter.
The problem with mocking them is that it’s totally possible for today’s elite to live entirely separate from the plebes.
I live in DC. I can go months without talking to someone who isn’t a member of the ruling class or someone who is directly dependent on the ruling class.
Also, what kind of elite would want to work for someone who didn’t go to Harvard, Yale, or Princeton?
It’s going to be harder than you think to dis-lodge your rulers. Plus, once you dis-lodge them, you need a new plan for governance.