I believe that a true American will be respectful of successes that people accomplish, even if those people are nothing like himself. For centuries America has stood as a shining beacon of greatness that people can accomplish. A true American will have respect for the academia, the media and other pursuits that advance the civilization. He will respect the “liberal elites.” And in so doing he will be making good on the true great promise of America. — Ilya B Shambat
you also omit the relevance of undeserved inherited wealth and status from your considerations. — Erik
An ethic that celebrates success and achievement should see elites in a positive light. — Ilya B Shambat
To whom does it appear as a shining beacon of greatness? To some people in poor countries that would like to be as wealthy as the average American, sure. To people in other developed countries that have different ideas about what makes a nation great - such as being able to send their kids to school without worrying about them getting shot, or being able to go to hospital if they have a serious injury without fearing they will be financially ruined - not so much.For centuries America has stood as a shining beacon of greatness that people can accomplish — Ilya B Shambat
I believe that a true American — Ilya B Shambat
First of all, what is an elite? An elite is a group of people who got good at something or other. — Ilya B Shambat
Of course not everyone in the elites is a good guy; but then neither is the average person. There are plenty of people who are not a part of any elite whatsoever, who are complete jerks. There are many average people who beat their wives, rape their children, slap “hos” and do any number of other ugly deeds. Elites do not own evil. It cuts across social boundaries, and while some people in the elites are indeed evil so are many people who are not part of the elites. — Ilya B Shambat
There are people who claim that the regular people are – or should be – socialists and are being preyed upon by conservative business and military elites.
There are other people who claim that thenregular people are – or should be - conservatives and are being preyed upon by liberal media and academic elites. — Ilya B Shambat
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