As I follow the general buzz going on in politics, and when I correspond with my friend "Kyle" (see previous posts), I have been struck of late by how often the word "elite" or "elitist" is attached to either "liberals" or "intellectuals," or anyone with whom the right wing disagrees. Apparently, conservatives and/or Republicans are guided by "common sense" and down-to-earth notions of right and wrong, whereas liberals (especially if they live on the East Coast--funny how that works) are "elitist" and somehow out of touch with ordinary folk, left only with their abstract and pointless theories.
To the extent that one thing which is implicit to elitism is feeling "superior" to the rest of the world, I find it ironic that conservatives should even consider using this word. If there are people who are more cock-sure of themselves and their thinking than the rest of us--i.e., elitist--it would have to be people like Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, and Coulter. Right-wing elitism is not an oxymoron or a contradiction in terms: these people make liberals and intellectuals look fair-minded and reasonable by comparison.
You wanna talk elitism? Bring it on! Liberals and academics may have their opinions, but they also have a better measure of doubt, perspective, and humility. And yes, once in a while (such as when Ms. Palin cannot explain why there are two Koreas or believes that Saddam Hussein was the mastermind of 9/11), the Contentious Introvert can indeed feel a little smug. Maybe even elitist. But for better reasons, I think!
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