I wasn't "pooh poohing" that idea. I was questioning whether they were as decisive a force in 1860 as you claim. The elite isn't now what it was in its heyday, and the "elite" is spread all over the country.
The song refers to Washington DC politicians (and maybe Northern Virginia politicians), but there are plenty of Rich Men South of Richmond who agree with them. Even in 1860, Rich Men South of the Mason-Dixon Line could be troublemakers.
I see them as the steering force of the government in the later half of the 19th century, and they continued to be that steering force, effectively till the present.
What other group had so much influence on the government?
The elite isn't now what it was in its heyday, and the "elite" is spread all over the country.
There is some truth in that, but the core is still concentrated in DC, Boston and New York.
Yes, LA, San Fran, and Chicago are all players.
The song refers to Washington DC politicians (and maybe Northern Virginia politicians), but there are plenty of Rich Men South of Richmond who agree with them.
Some truth in that. I see Kemp as being part of that clique.
Even in 1860, Rich Men South of the Mason-Dixon Line could be troublemakers.
Some truth in that, but they didn't have the ear of the ruling powers in DC.
It’s sad when someone’s obsession becomes OCD such that they find themselves seeing boogiemen behind every tree. Or maybe it’s a new derangement - NDS (Northerner Derangement Syndrome). Either way it is unfortunate - and kinda embarrassing.