The GOP Assault on “Elitism”
One of the greatest absurdities in the current “political debate” being offered by Republicans is their nearly unanimous assault on “elitism.” Amazingly, they seem to be telling us to embrace mediocrity.
Liberal Media Elite, Washington Political Elite, Intellectual Elite… these are all labels that sneering Republican talking heads have openly disparaged and applied to their opponents, real or imagined. They want the American people to believe that they are just “regular Joes” and “hockey moms” who can better relate to the everyday challenges that we all face.
When you have a medical problem, do you choose a doctor because he/she is someone you’d like to have a beer with? Of course not. You choose a doctor based on their education and skills. When you build a home, do you hire an architect or engineer simply because they’re “likable”? No, you choose them because of the technical skills. When you hire an attorney, do you do so because they seem like a “nice guy”? Nope, you hire a shark to represent your interests in court. When you want information, do you trust a journalist who knows as much as you do? No, you seek an information source who knows more than you do. When you go to school, do you choose a teacher who knows as much as you do? Of course not, not if you truly want to learn something new.
After the last eight disastrous years of Bush/Cheney, one would hope that American voters have seen the folly of voting for a presidential candidate who is “one of us". We all hire specialists (dare I say “elitists”) to handle jobs that are beyond our own capabilities. Why then would we believe the cynical Republican hacks who rail against the “elite”?
Hiring a president to direct our nation out of this gigantic morass requires the services of an elitist. A “regular Joe” just isn’t up to the task. It’s too big and too complex for a person of average abilities. John McCain, while a person of grit and determination, isn’t exactly an intellectual giant, nor is his vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Simply put, they lack the intellectual curiosity and critical thinking ability that this nation so desperately needs in our next president. They may seem like people we’d like to have a beer with, but we’re not hiring drinking partners.
|
/ˈspɛʃ
Linear Mode
