The "Elites" (Clinton, Obama, independence, politicians)

[charlygal]

Let’s try to stay on topic here.

In the current election cycle, we keep hearing about the “elites.” Simple question:

Who are these “elites?”

Are they people who live in a certain part of the country?
Are they those with a college education?
Are they people who make a certain amount of money? 50k? 75k? Over 100k?

Please, please avoid foolish answers like “Obama, Clinton, and their friends.” That’s a brain dead, useless answer.

Provide a DEMOGRAPHIC DEFINITION only.

[nicet4]

There is no such thing as an elite but there are crooks, liars, thieves and of course hypocrites.

[charlygal]

^Our first useless answer.


Let's define "elites."

[Goinback2011]

Those in the top 1% who control the actions of politicians.

[charlygal]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

Those in the top 1% who control the actions of politicians.

Please put a number on the 1%. Unfortunately, that term has become more undefined propaganda.

[Retroit]

I don't think they are a demographic. It is more of a philosophy that says "The government knows what is best for the citizens." In order to be in the ruling class (so they believe), you have to despise free will, free market, personal responsibility, independence, etc. Instead, you have to embrace social engineering, government dictates and mandates, anti-capilatism, and social welfare. If you follow these principles and can convince enough stupid voters to believe in them and vote for you, you are the elite.

[andywire]

Originally Posted by charlygal

^Our first useless answer.


Let's define "elites."

Only useless because you didn't get the answer you were fishing for.

[sandsthetime]

Originally Posted by Retroit

I don't think they are a demographic. It is more of a philosophy that says "The government knows what is best for the citizens." In order to be in the ruling class (so they believe), you have to despise free will, free market, personal responsibility, independence, etc. Instead, you have to embrace social engineering, government dictates and mandates, anti-capilatism, and social welfare. If you follow these principles and can convince enough stupid voters to believe in them and vote for you, you are the elite.

So we have a lot of theories but nothing of substance.

[bklynkenny]

Originally Posted by Retroit

I don't think they are a demographic. It is more of a philosophy that says "The government knows what is best for the citizens." In order to be in the ruling class (so they believe), you have to despise free will, free market, personal responsibility, independence, etc. Instead, you have to embrace social engineering, government dictates and mandates, anti-capilatism, and social welfare. If you follow these principles and can convince enough stupid voters to believe in them and vote for you, you are the elite.

So everybody who's not a Libertarian?

[T0103E]

Whenever I personally refer to the elite, I'm talking about both the politicians and bureaucrats (all of them, but especially the ones with the most power) and those in the private sector that are politically connected - the ones who use state power to rig things in their favor at the expense of others.

That applies to the whole world, not just the U.S. I'd also include the Federal Reserve and other central banking institutions.