Us versus the Political Class

As career politicians and bureaucrats become increasingly entrenched in statism it becomes more difficult for citizens to tolerate their arrogance and contempt toward we, the People, whom they should serve—and the polls show it.

Our ideas of the proper role of government in our lives do not match their visions. They often use their power over us to promote government activities we can’t abide. Worse, many of them think we are too stupid to know what’s good for us, and too ignorant to know what government should and shouldn’t do.

Pollster Scott Rasmussen in his book “The People’s Money” describes the disconnect between what he calls the “Political Class” and the rest of us; how they deceive and the views of the people on restoring “fiscal sanity” to America based on polling evidence. Rasmussen defines the Political Class as an elite cabal of elected officials, lobbyists, political staffers and activists.

He writes: “Only 10 percent of voters now trust the judgment of the nation’s political leaders more than the collective wisdom of the American people.” Less than that number support the Political Class worldview. The King of England had more support from the colonists in 1775 than do our current rulers from us—not a good sign.

Rasmussen writes about what’s going on in Washington, D. C., but we endure deceit and disdain also at the local and state government levels. He cites the case of our feckless governor Beverly Perdue who recently suggested that congressional elections be suspended for two years; offensive to citizens and an “affront to the very notion of a self-governing society.”

Then, there’s the contempt shown toward us by Wilmington city council members, their staffers and lobbyists. The Wilmington StarNews editorial board (frequent supporter of the Political Class) expressed subtle disrespect toward those who currently object to the city council’s scheme to publicly subsidize a baseball stadium for a wealthy regional club in Atlanta. (link)

Editors snidely say it’s “easy” for us to be against anything that costs money. Problem: 75 or 80 percent of the “$40 million price tag” (probably much more) will be the people’s money. Editors praise the “harder” choice of the city Political Class to take a “chance” on the project.

What risk to them? It’s not their money. The city council visionaries, say editors, are “forward thinking” to spend our money in a time of “tight budgets.” On the other hand, we “overly cautious…prefer to play it safe.” Actually, we prefer respect from responsible officials.

I ask: What is the more forward thinking and responsible group—us or the Political Class?