Elitist

I am an elitist. I think I have always been an elitist. Moreover, I am proud to be an elitist. It is only in the recent politically correct morass that the term elitist has become a pejorative. Historically elitism has been the core driver of this great American democratic experiment. Elitism is what makes America the great, productive leader is has been. Elitism is what brings the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” to our shores. Elitism is the driving engine of our greatness. I am an elitist and I celebrate that fact.

From its beginnings, this country has, in most regards, been a meritocracy. A meritocracy is, by definition, driven by its elite best. To be elite it to be superior. An elite student gets A grades, and is admitted to a top college where he or she excels and gains admission to an elite graduate school. Ultimately, the high achiever enters the work force and becomes a member of an elite profession or becomes among the elite in their chosen profession. The elite in the United States are not calcified body. We have a porous elite, open to new entrants based upon merit and the pursuit of excellence.

Elitist got us to the moon and cured polio. Elitists invented the silicon wafer and wrote software code. Elitists crafted the great American novel and wrote songs that make our hearts soar. Elitists nurture our souls. Elitists drive this American dream.

In this recent political campaign, both the Hillary Clinton camp and the right wingnut talk radio nabobs of negativism use the charge “elite,” to mischaracterize Obama, in particular after his reference to the attitudes of small town America bypassed by progress and prosperity. He happened, by the way, to be speaking the truth. Curiously, both Clinton and Obama are members of the American elite as a consequence of brain power, ambition and education. Our meritocracy served them well. Less so, McCain, who has largely been a screw up and got his start from the lucky sperm club, what with a father and grandfather who were Admirals. Not much of a stretch for him to get into Annapolis! His type of elitist does require a pejorative meaning in my book.