A "Listen to Us" Election

Mitt Romney wasn't the only one complaining about the 47%. A quick look at Forbes and one reads how it is an elite-- Gates, Buffet and a few others-- who have all of the talent that no one else has. Then, after not much hand-waiving, Forbes, in a post today, reached the conclusion that therefore the few with the talent must not be taxed. Ignore the masses! Feed them gruel! Don't tax us! Tax them!

And, I should not pick just on Republicans. Why is the US still in Afghanistan? Why still the drug war? How has the US responded to the housing collapse? Libertarians-- what is with the fetish about the Federal Reserve? Greens-- do you really think new energy sources will create enough jobs for everyone?

Coincident with the first G.W. Bush presidential campaign, the elitist mind-set became prevalent in my peer group. We are the masters-of-the-universe, coworkers (and management) suggested to me. All we have to do is say something. That will make it true! And, in areas where there is no competition, what is said becomes true... for a while.

It is true that there are people with more talent in their pinkie than I have in my head. It is convenient if these people are in responsible positions, too. But, more important than brains, if one wants society to work and one wishes to be a master-of-the-universe, is an open mindedness and a willingness to consider all points of view. The person getting paid the least invariably knows a dozen things that the person at the top should know, but doesn't. Will the person at the top ever learn them? Not if that person already knows everything.

Lesson 2: It takes morality to effectively lead, as there are places where people will not be led. Ethics are critical. "If you win the rat race, you are still a rat," Lily Tomlin points out.

People heard facts that they knew were wrong.

Even if the facts were right, they we wrong. You and I are not insignificant. Accountants typically only count dollars. Accountants can not gauge the future value in you and I.

People heard that they were insignificant and they must have become tired of hearing it.

In my neighborhood, it wasn't just ethnics that flocked to the polls. It was the downtrodden, the people who get up at 4 a.m. and work several rings of management down from masters-of-the-universe. They were tired of being told what to think.

I've never seen so many tired, unshaved faces. Not even in the slums of Bangkok.

"Listen to us for a change", they said

If political leaders can break habits and listen not to funders and campaign pros, but to real people, this country can advance.

Real people are ignoring what the out of touch have to say.

The out of touch will not lead for long.