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Downton’s Class System — and Ours: We have a ruling class that despises the free market and does...
American Spectator ^ | May 2013 | TOM BETHELL

Posted on 05/26/2013 5:16:55 PM PDT by neverdem

We have a ruling class that despises the free market and does all in its power to restrict its scope.

--snip--

In these pages a few years ago, Angelo Codevilla gave us a lengthy analysis of “America’s Ruling Class” (TAS, July/August 2010). The major parties aspired to merge into a governing class, he said: “Republican and Democratic office holders and their retinues show a similar presumption to dominate and fewer differences in tastes, habits, opinions, and sources of income among one another than between both and the rest of the...”

--snip--

The ruling class also supports and is supported by a “client underclass” which receives lavish government benefits and votes reliably Democratic. It is opposed by what Codevilla called the country class, and might now be called the Tea Party.

--snip--

Think of a ladder whose the lower rung is too far off the ground. Making that big step up may well entail losing your state benefits. Therefore it is rationally discouraged. Why get up and go to work when you can earn more by staying home? As argued in these pages last month, the black overclass, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the NAACP work against the interest of poor blacks by supporting a higher minimum wage. In so doing they resemble true-blue ruling-class members.

The old class system as seen at Downton Abbey had its unjust aspects (privilege shouldn’t accompany “birth,” for example), and the market system that replaced it was far more productive. But the old system had its merits. It lasted so long that it was obviously stable. Our own new class system, with its anti-religious overtones and with the institution of marriage teetering, is likely to prove unstable. And once the wobbly, less-than-free market that sustains it begins to topple, there will be hell to pay.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gope; rulingclass; therulingclass
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1 posted on 05/26/2013 5:16:55 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

The big-government/big-corporate criminal complex is the ruling class.


2 posted on 05/26/2013 5:20:00 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (It is the deviants who are the bullies.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Add Big-education to your Triumvirate.


3 posted on 05/26/2013 5:22:13 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: central_va

The problem is, Communist China.

Where is Republican voting going to come from, if everything is made in China?

I’m serious. Everyone will go on welfare, and vote Democrat.

We need to make things in America.


4 posted on 05/26/2013 5:24:28 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network
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To: neverdem

We just finished watching Downton Abbey through season three on DVD. If you like historically based period pieces you’ll like this one.


5 posted on 05/26/2013 5:26:25 PM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: AngieGal

Ping


6 posted on 05/26/2013 5:26:39 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The Lear Jet Leftists expect to form the core of the global ruling Party. They will continue to enjoy the finest foods and most advanced gadgets the world has to offer — while deciding your fate for you.


7 posted on 05/26/2013 5:27:30 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: neverdem

It is called jealousy.

Our ruling class knows well that they would be fired from a burger flipping job for incompetency.

Hence, their hate of all who actually produce value.

I respect my garbage man immensely.

I loathe, disdain and f*rt in the general direction of the vast majority of our congress critters.


8 posted on 05/26/2013 5:35:11 PM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: Da Coyote

All ruling classes despise free markets.

The private sector expects results, and ruling classes operate on who they know or are, not on what they accomplish.


9 posted on 05/26/2013 5:44:07 PM PDT by Sherman Logan
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To: gorush

Agree, that’s a pretty good show, they actually show rich people being nice.


10 posted on 05/26/2013 5:44:49 PM PDT by psjones (u)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

China is a slavocracy. We will crash and burn if cheap chinese goods are withdrawn from our economy. We needs Chinese slaves to get through the day.


11 posted on 05/26/2013 5:48:22 PM PDT by x_plus_one ("One useless man is a disgrace. Two are called a law firm. And three or more become a Congress.")
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

We do make things in America. Lots of things.


12 posted on 05/26/2013 5:56:28 PM PDT by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is it is the only answer.)
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To: Lurker

Less all the time...

China now exports, more than America exports.

China is growing. Largely, by taking over American manufacturing.


13 posted on 05/26/2013 5:58:32 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

It’s called “competition” and it’s good for both the producer and the consumer. Where did you learn economics, in a comic book?


14 posted on 05/26/2013 6:00:36 PM PDT by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is it is the only answer.)
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To: Lurker

Don’t let the thread be hijacked. Please. We have FReepers who “despise the free market and do all in its power to restrict its scope,” as well. Just indulge them.


15 posted on 05/26/2013 6:02:45 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
Where is Republican voting going to come from, if everything is made in China?

What does the GOPe care if they are in the minority. They'll still get the same payoffs and gold-plated benefits. And if the Party goes kaput they will just switch to the Democrat Party, take a job with an Insider Corporation, or retire to Switzerland with their pilfered billions.

16 posted on 05/26/2013 6:04:26 PM PDT by Count of Monte Fisto
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To: 1rudeboy

It would be nice to actually experience a free market for once.


17 posted on 05/26/2013 6:09:02 PM PDT by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is it is the only answer.)
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To: Sherman Logan
All ruling classes despise free markets.

The private sector expects results, and ruling classes operate on who they know or are, not on what they accomplish.

That's a mighty fine summation, Sherman Logan!

18 posted on 05/26/2013 6:09:05 PM PDT by Standing Wolf
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To: Lurker

We have one. Unfortunately, it’s called the “black market.” Pay your neighbor’s kid $30 to cut your lawn, and it won’t be long before the government unloads on you, and someone else will complain that you took away a high-paying lawn maintenance job from someone who “deserves” it.


19 posted on 05/26/2013 6:13:33 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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