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	<title>Comments on: ELITISM AND THE ELITIST ELITES WHO THINK THEY&#8217;RE THE ELITE</title>
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	<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/</link>
	<description>Politics served up with a smile... And a stilletto.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:57:32 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>By: Mook</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1461666</link>
		<dc:creator>Mook</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:08:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1461666</guid>
		<description>&lt;i&gt;OH MY GOD! THE MEXICANS ARE COMING! THE MEXICANS ARE COMING! Lock up your wives and daughters! Hide the good silverware! 

You are an hysterical dolt.&lt;/i&gt;

So legitimate concerns over out of control illegal immigration = ravings of a "hysterical dolt"? 

Please do elaborate.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><i>OH MY GOD! THE MEXICANS ARE COMING! THE MEXICANS ARE COMING! Lock up your wives and daughters! Hide the good silverware! </p>
<p>You are an hysterical dolt.</i></p>
<p>So legitimate concerns over out of control illegal immigration = ravings of a &#8220;hysterical dolt&#8221;? </p>
<p>Please do elaborate.</p>
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		<title>By: Gail</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1455749</link>
		<dc:creator>Gail</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:14:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1455749</guid>
		<description>If we are going to discuss the "elite" and "elitists", we need to know what these words mean.  

World Book Dictionary, 1988

elite:  "1. the choice or distinguished part; those thought of as the best people"

elitism:  "1. rule or government by an elite"

elitist:  "1. of, having to do with or favoring elitism"

The key phrase is "those thought of as the best people".  You see "thought of" not "who think themselves to be".  We do expect our leaders to be elite, but we make the decision.  The self appointed elite are noxious in the extreme.

Here is an example.  As a computer programmer, I can readily identify the most elite programmers very easily.  They are the least self-important.  They do not consider themselves elite; it's a bit of a paradox, but very true.  These real geniuses are more interested in learning from others, in expanding their knowledge and awareness than in convincing others of their abilities.  They are not interested in getting agreement or in being listened to, they are interested in listening. They listen to and respect neophytes, who, unburdened by a lot of experience and fixed ideas, can often come up with very innovative solutions, even if they're not geniuses themselves.  

A real elite individual is universally recognized and has the ability to recognize and admire others' virtues.  He or she is genuinely self confident and does not require a lot of admireation to re-inforce that certainty of his own abilities.

People who appear to consider themselves to be the elite, like Obama, are genuinely certain of their own superiority, and of others' inferiority.  Those who others recognize as truly elite tend to consider others to be their equals.  They don't need to look down on others to feel good about themselves.  They feel good about other people, and it is contagious.

The people we most admire are the genuine elite, the unmistakable superior person.  The most significant characteristic of such a person is the their innate appreciation and respect for others.

In this quality, Obama and Hillary are both sadly lacking, and that is what keeps them out of the league or the truly elite.  Democrats do not seem to get this and fall for the pseudo-elites every time.

McCain tells people that he graduated near the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy.  He does not aggrandize himself.  Now, the simple fact is that anyone who gets into and is graduated from Annapolis is inherently elite...these folks are the best our country has to offer.  So here's a guy who wasn't at the top of his class, so how did he achieve so much?  He must listen to an awful lot of very smart people and be bright enough to understand them.  And most importantly, he's not too important to listen to others, hence his town hall meetings.  He likes those small venues because it gives him the opportunity to listen to what the public has to say as much as to share what he has to say.

Do we want an elite in the White House, you bet we do.  And we can tell the difference between the pseudo elite and the real thing.  The American people believe in themselves and so do our leaders.  

Best regards,
Gail</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If we are going to discuss the &#8220;elite&#8221; and &#8220;elitists&#8221;, we need to know what these words mean.  </p>
<p>World Book Dictionary, 1988</p>
<p>elite:  &#8220;1. the choice or distinguished part; those thought of as the best people&#8221;</p>
<p>elitism:  &#8220;1. rule or government by an elite&#8221;</p>
<p>elitist:  &#8220;1. of, having to do with or favoring elitism&#8221;</p>
<p>The key phrase is &#8220;those thought of as the best people&#8221;.  You see &#8220;thought of&#8221; not &#8220;who think themselves to be&#8221;.  We do expect our leaders to be elite, but we make the decision.  The self appointed elite are noxious in the extreme.</p>
<p>Here is an example.  As a computer programmer, I can readily identify the most elite programmers very easily.  They are the least self-important.  They do not consider themselves elite; it&#8217;s a bit of a paradox, but very true.  These real geniuses are more interested in learning from others, in expanding their knowledge and awareness than in convincing others of their abilities.  They are not interested in getting agreement or in being listened to, they are interested in listening. They listen to and respect neophytes, who, unburdened by a lot of experience and fixed ideas, can often come up with very innovative solutions, even if they&#8217;re not geniuses themselves.  </p>
<p>A real elite individual is universally recognized and has the ability to recognize and admire others&#8217; virtues.  He or she is genuinely self confident and does not require a lot of admireation to re-inforce that certainty of his own abilities.</p>
<p>People who appear to consider themselves to be the elite, like Obama, are genuinely certain of their own superiority, and of others&#8217; inferiority.  Those who others recognize as truly elite tend to consider others to be their equals.  They don&#8217;t need to look down on others to feel good about themselves.  They feel good about other people, and it is contagious.</p>
<p>The people we most admire are the genuine elite, the unmistakable superior person.  The most significant characteristic of such a person is the their innate appreciation and respect for others.</p>
<p>In this quality, Obama and Hillary are both sadly lacking, and that is what keeps them out of the league or the truly elite.  Democrats do not seem to get this and fall for the pseudo-elites every time.</p>
<p>McCain tells people that he graduated near the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy.  He does not aggrandize himself.  Now, the simple fact is that anyone who gets into and is graduated from Annapolis is inherently elite&#8230;these folks are the best our country has to offer.  So here&#8217;s a guy who wasn&#8217;t at the top of his class, so how did he achieve so much?  He must listen to an awful lot of very smart people and be bright enough to understand them.  And most importantly, he&#8217;s not too important to listen to others, hence his town hall meetings.  He likes those small venues because it gives him the opportunity to listen to what the public has to say as much as to share what he has to say.</p>
<p>Do we want an elite in the White House, you bet we do.  And we can tell the difference between the pseudo elite and the real thing.  The American people believe in themselves and so do our leaders.  </p>
<p>Best regards,<br />
Gail</p>
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		<title>By: Bookworm Room &#187; What am I reading today?</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1455464</link>
		<dc:creator>Bookworm Room &#187; What am I reading today?</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:48:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1455464</guid>
		<description>[...] Elitism and the Elitist Elites Who Think They&#8217;re the Elite Right Wing Nut House [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Elitism and the Elitist Elites Who Think They&#8217;re the Elite Right Wing Nut House [...]</p>
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		<title>By: The Glittering Eye &#187; Blog Archive &#187; Eye on the Watcher&#8217;s Council</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1454006</link>
		<dc:creator>The Glittering Eye &#187; Blog Archive &#187; Eye on the Watcher&#8217;s Council</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:42:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1454006</guid>
		<description>[...] Right Wing Nut House, &#8220;Elitism and the Elitist Elites Who Think They&#8217;re the Elite&#8221; [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Right Wing Nut House, &#8220;Elitism and the Elitist Elites Who Think They&#8217;re the Elite&#8221; [...]</p>
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		<title>By: mannning</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1453101</link>
		<dc:creator>mannning</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:07:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1453101</guid>
		<description>You may be an elite if you are not a redneck.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You may be an elite if you are not a redneck.</p>
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		<title>By: Emma</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1449412</link>
		<dc:creator>Emma</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:34:18 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description>Elites aren't the problem, just "our" elites in this era and place.  Charles Murray did a fantastic job in his book, "Human Accomplishment", in a small section explaining in part why accomplishment had fallen off so badly in western civilization, comparing elites of today with elites of the past.  Especially at the height of the Renaissance.  Reading his analysis of what makes civilizations not merely good, but great, and what spurs accomplishment, the Marxist assumptions in Obama's comment are diametrically in opposition to the beliefs of most of yesteryear's elites.   In particular, the view of "transcental goods".  Murray, while himself an agnostic, was surprised at how important this turned out to be and thus he listed it among his "four essentials" for "genius level" accomplishment, especially on a civilizational level. 
As an aside, the absolute worst thing for societies to experience was Communism.  The fall off for Russia in accomplishment was most severe.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Elites aren&#8217;t the problem, just &#8220;our&#8221; elites in this era and place.  Charles Murray did a fantastic job in his book, &#8220;Human Accomplishment&#8221;, in a small section explaining in part why accomplishment had fallen off so badly in western civilization, comparing elites of today with elites of the past.  Especially at the height of the Renaissance.  Reading his analysis of what makes civilizations not merely good, but great, and what spurs accomplishment, the Marxist assumptions in Obama&#8217;s comment are diametrically in opposition to the beliefs of most of yesteryear&#8217;s elites.   In particular, the view of &#8220;transcental goods&#8221;.  Murray, while himself an agnostic, was surprised at how important this turned out to be and thus he listed it among his &#8220;four essentials&#8221; for &#8220;genius level&#8221; accomplishment, especially on a civilizational level.<br />
As an aside, the absolute worst thing for societies to experience was Communism.  The fall off for Russia in accomplishment was most severe.</p>
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		<title>By: Foobarista</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1447756</link>
		<dc:creator>Foobarista</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:09:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1447756</guid>
		<description>Elitism and elites isn't such a problem; it's when the elite gets entrenched that things get ugly.  This is why the dynastic trends in American politics are so disturbing; some very large percentage of Congress come from "political families".

As you point out, our Revolution wasn't so much a revolt against the idea of elites; those were the French and Communist revolutions.  Ours was against nobility, which is the idea that elite status is inherited.

The question in democracy - as in all systems - is how to pick the ruling elite.  It may well be that elections aren't always the best way, especially in a vast country where the only ways to get noticed are to have "name recognition", or to be a single-minded political careerist like Obama.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Elitism and elites isn&#8217;t such a problem; it&#8217;s when the elite gets entrenched that things get ugly.  This is why the dynastic trends in American politics are so disturbing; some very large percentage of Congress come from &#8220;political families&#8221;.</p>
<p>As you point out, our Revolution wasn&#8217;t so much a revolt against the idea of elites; those were the French and Communist revolutions.  Ours was against nobility, which is the idea that elite status is inherited.</p>
<p>The question in democracy - as in all systems - is how to pick the ruling elite.  It may well be that elections aren&#8217;t always the best way, especially in a vast country where the only ways to get noticed are to have &#8220;name recognition&#8221;, or to be a single-minded political careerist like Obama.</p>
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		<title>By: kreiz</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1447550</link>
		<dc:creator>kreiz</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Apr 2008 03:37:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1447550</guid>
		<description>Brilliant.  Over the years, some of these same thoughts have ricocheted off various parts of my brain.  Of course, I lack your ability to consolidate and clearly set them forth.  Thanks for saving me the hard work.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Brilliant.  Over the years, some of these same thoughts have ricocheted off various parts of my brain.  Of course, I lack your ability to consolidate and clearly set them forth.  Thanks for saving me the hard work.</p>
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		<title>By: MaaddMaaxx</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1447548</link>
		<dc:creator>MaaddMaaxx</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Apr 2008 03:31:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1447548</guid>
		<description>The Modern Liberals/Democrats are the heirs of a centuries old monarchist viewpoint that the working class are moronic peons who require management.
They view themselves as a ruling class who are morally obligated to manage the rest of us and provide everything from employment, housing, and  health care to morality and correct thinking.
They believe that anyone who thinks that they (and everyone else) should be required, let alone allowed, to provide for themselves on their own merit, skill, and intelligence must be  uneducated, deluded, or part of a conspiracy to steal from, and suppress the peons.
The Clinton "Legacy of Lies" and Obama's continuing veil (increasingly thin) of pretty words are a part of the same tradition of "tell them anything, then rule them wisely" that monarchists have practiced since the dark ages.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Modern Liberals/Democrats are the heirs of a centuries old monarchist viewpoint that the working class are moronic peons who require management.<br />
They view themselves as a ruling class who are morally obligated to manage the rest of us and provide everything from employment, housing, and  health care to morality and correct thinking.<br />
They believe that anyone who thinks that they (and everyone else) should be required, let alone allowed, to provide for themselves on their own merit, skill, and intelligence must be  uneducated, deluded, or part of a conspiracy to steal from, and suppress the peons.<br />
The Clinton &#8220;Legacy of Lies&#8221; and Obama&#8217;s continuing veil (increasingly thin) of pretty words are a part of the same tradition of &#8220;tell them anything, then rule them wisely&#8221; that monarchists have practiced since the dark ages.</p>
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		<title>By: MarkJ</title>
		<link>http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/comment-page-1/#comment-1447379</link>
		<dc:creator>MarkJ</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:23:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2008/04/12/elitism-and-the-elitist-elites-who-think-theyre-the-elite/#comment-1447379</guid>
		<description>On the next Jerry Springer show: 

"Snobbish elists who love Obama...and the women who love them."</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On the next Jerry Springer show: </p>
<p>&#8220;Snobbish elists who love Obama&#8230;and the women who love them.&#8221;</p>
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