I hear a lot from people in the news referring to folks they call the “elite.” The dictionary says that it is someone with advanced education, money and power. And because of this, these three parameters allow judgement on other members of society that lack the criteria to check all the boxes. I stand corrected. I always thought the word was “snobs.”
Their decisions on what is good for everyone else are the rule of law – even when it is fictitious and unabashedly self-serving. The two kickers are they think nobody notices or they don’t care if everybody notices. Nothing in the definition speaks of character, moral fiber or work ethic.
This “pecking order mentality” is nothing new; heck, I’m almost positive it’s in our molecular makeup. Without nature’s natural balance of power, the top loses its center of gravity and it begins to wobble.
The folks pulling the string only drive the engine. The folks supplying the energy have calluses. A diversity, equity and inclusion philosophy earn only participation trophies and are not representative of the real world.
The communists and socialists insist that their brand of governance would fix everything; that the pie will be sliced and served evenly. . . maybe, unless you’re the one holding the knife and spatula. I’ll stay with the current imperfect system called capitalism. At the very least, a person has the ability through good choices and some sweat equity to affect the size of the piece.
In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a well-financed, handsome and selfish man. The advice given by wiser Greeks to mend his ways went answered. His disdain for everyone and everything around him forced him to stare into a pool of still water, admiring his mirror reflection. Eventually, he dozed off, fell asleep, fell in and drowned. He would have been considered an “elite.”
Likewise goes Icarus, the hard- headed lad who could fly. He had a set of wings made of beeswax. Warnings were given from kind-hearted elders to avoid the sun. He said he would.
One day he flew too high and his wings melted. Plummeting back to earth, he did not survive. The upper crust are slow learners.
When my children were young, I engrained in them the monumental importance of honesty and to always tell the truth. If you are going to hurt someone’s feelings, of course be kind and as gentle as possible but do not lie.
Admit the wrong, accept the repercussions and try not to repeat it. The current crop of “elites” just keep digging holes for themselves and the deeper they go, the darker it gets. Hell is down there somewhere.
George Orwell’s book “1984” – written in 1948 — said, “In time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” I don’t care much for labels because they are yet another form of division, but if I were to be given one, I wouldn’t mind revolutionist as long it is in the context of Orwell’s words.
Aldous Huxley’s book “Brave New World” (1932) helps bolster my point. He writes, “Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and never dream of revolution.” The “elites” are banking on this. They believe we are either weak or feeble- minded or both. You will agree with me that they assume this incorrectly.
In the short term we are comfortable and that's perfectly fine. Oh sure there are financial issues and health issues and relationship issues; keeping the lights on and food on the table. We work, we struggle, we make do and we survive. So who exactly are the “elites?”
The world that is being reshaped today — in real time — is dangerous. Optimism never completely falls to pessimism, but it is continually tested. I’d much rather write humorous tales of folly and whim, but every once in a while the realities of watching our Lord’s plan get so far out of whack prevents it.
The assets we share are each other; combined with a strong faith, a strong family and a strong community. We are impenetrable. We are “elite.”
True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable. — Dave Tyson Gentry
