Who wouldn't want to be rich, powerful, have revolving door opportunities, first pick in education and first pick for jobs and postitions? It would be nice right? Get all the things you want and only need to work half as hard. What makes one elite versus not elite is often the financial wealth they hold, their social connections and the opportunities other decision makers in society give to them. However, there is a detractor to promoting elitists and giving them the things they want but didn't necessarily earn on their merit. Weaknesses can arise in societal adaptability and strength.
The way I see it, many of the elitists are neither good or bad because at their they are like everyone else. If you gave anyone wealth, power, and privelidge they are going to use it for their benefit. They are going to enjoy the fruits of influence and their kids are also going to enjoy the fruits of influence (About 3 generations unless your really smart and put everyting into a large investment trust with managers.). All of that makes sense and most people when put in that position are going to do the same. Its fairly natural from a psychological perspective to be somewhat selfish.
Where it starts being a societal problem is when elitists are put in positions of authority that restrict the development of society based on their advantage. The problem with elitism is that the very socializing that occurs to solidify well to do networks provides a distinction when compared to the rest of society (It kind of always bothered me when people suck up to others because they have wealth. It should make no difference.). They do not know what it is like to live pay check to pay check or be locked out of good schools even if you outperform everyone else (i.e. schools on performance versus elitism).
That limited perspective begins to impact society and it limits the adaptability of our institutions. When you inherently view yourself and people you see as like yourself as more worthy when compared to others who may have accomplished much more with less resources then you are not allocating resources to those who can have those most benefit to society. As a general rule for most of society it makes sense to give resources where they can grow and flourish for maximum benefit of many different stakeholders.
I have ran with the elites and I have never outran my blue collar and small business owning background.There is still something meaningful to having a cup of coffee and do it yourself working on your house/project. Perhaps throwing a fishing line from the shore is of interest as well. Served in the military (I'm a big supporter as an equalizer in society), continue to serve through volunteering and firefighting. Can kickbox and do martial arts fairly well. I like Levis, Dickies and my favorite hat is from a Hardward Store in OB (Surfers, Bikers, Hippies). Mostly I wear cowboy and work boots but still look good in a suit when I need to look professional (I can dress like a gentleman with all the social graces because I have earned the sophistication and not the facade). That humble background is engrained in you.
Learned over the years some of the cultural stuff that were more akin to private boarding schools. I can ride horses well, played music in the past and could have got a scholarship for it (Still practicing the harmonica because its mobile and light. Hope to learn 10 songs I can play in public.), can fence with multiple swords, have sold a few pieces of art, wrote a few poems, danced a few dances on stake, took a few lead spots in theater, and pretty much would like to do more of those things for fun. They don't pay the bills but every once in a while I might get a little for some art piece in my virtual gallery or activity in my skill bank.
Still like nice restaurants and vacations but usually option for middle of the road and budget friendly because I had kids that should have an opportunity to attend college (They are not old enough to appreciate those sacrafices yet. Neither is the rest of society I guess.). Hopefully soon I can reallocate a little of that expense soon to buy a Harley and the Old Ford or Chevy pickup I was thinking about. I need it as a work horse. However, I would like to drive a Harley in a suit to a business meeting or fancy restaurant at least once would be fun.
I can devour books and information like a polymath and a couple people in my family were diagnosed as genius. I guess I'm highly gifted from multiple assessments but it has been a little of a curse in the world I grew up in. Wrote a few unread books that successfully projected trends, working on a new one, invented some mallets, developed an economic model (Some positive changes came from that.), a community development model, and redesigned the possibilities of education (That one cool and works but you never know.). I have maxed out in education, read for fun, and do run a philanthropy side business that seeks to give 100% to charities that help communities.
Why do I do all that sort of random usless stuff? Beyond a constant urge for the novel it is because life is unfair and people make all types of decisions to keep it unfair. My defiance to those who judge us and those who didn't support us.
I know that unfairness from the bruises, scars, bashes, rumors, disparities, injustices, and the wide variances in race and religion that change is needed competitive as a nation is needed to develop our human capital from a broad set of the population. Sometimes the environment maxes you out before you are maxed out and that is a waste and inefficient in national development. To some broad based development of our people is a silly idea but too me it creates new opportunities when technology, education, skill, and new perspectives come to light. That light is the guide to the next generation and I'm still out there removing the roadblocks for them. At least someone cares no matter how small the contribution.
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