The Longer Elites Ignore Populist
Outcries, the More They’ll Be Surprised
National Review,
by
John Fund
Original Article
Posted By: Pluperfect,
10/7/2019 4:34:56 AM
Los Angeles — It’s been three years since the Brexit referendum and the election of Donald Trump sent shock waves throughout the world.
Those events in Britain and the U.S. symbolized a broader revolt against elites by frustrated voters in other countries. The populist revolt was a reaction to elites’ reckless and anti-democratic push for ever greater integration. Many critics have tried to paint these uprisings in scary terms by branding them as rooted in racism or xenophobia. I myself part company with the more radical populist movements on some issues — especially those that want to shut down legal as well as illegal immigration.
But it’s unarguable that many
Reply 1 - Posted by:
Chabis 10/7/2019 6:31:46 AM (No. 199882)
It seems to me that Fund still largely misses the point. His view is that the "Elites" are being unwise and impractical -- leading to their own hurt -- by ignoring working people. But much like corporate boardrooms today who seem to look and act almost solely focused on this quarter's bottom line, not the company's long term prospects, so the said 'elites' do as well. -And often for the very same reason: They are shallow and self-absorbed people with no connection to anything meaningful beyond themselves.
Look at American politics and you see one person after another with no accomplishments and no attachments outside of the government and party structures. If they can enrich themselves and retire they have accomplished their goals. If they can help their cronies and relatives do the same they are, ib their own circle, heroes.
I often ask myself if there is anyone, apart from our very boisterous president, who seems to give a damn about anyone but himself? And I do so after a now fairly long lifetime of seeing todays sung political heroes shown up to actually have been nothing of the kind.
It is all P.R. It is all B.S.
Yes, Fund has a point -- the 'elites' may not be helping themselves. But all that Fund does is suggest a possibly more effective path to help themselves. At no less our expense.
70 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
Rinktum 10/7/2019 6:42:47 AM (No. 199886)
#1, Nails it.
18 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
walcb 10/7/2019 7:00:03 AM (No. 199900)
Yes, #1 is correct. What is the answer then? Term limits and politicians receiving the same benefits as the general population is the only way to get power back to the people away from the ruling class.
35 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
StormCnter 10/7/2019 7:12:19 AM (No. 199905)
I would be interested in your source for John Fund supporting illegal immigration, #3.
5 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
udanja99 10/7/2019 8:18:58 AM (No. 199951)
#5, he states his support in the 2nd paragraph of the article. Read more carefully.
14 people like this.
FTA: "I myself part company with the more radical populist movements on some issues — especially those that want to shut down legal as well as illegal immigration."
#6 - I interpret that to mean Fund parts company with those who want to stop LEGAL immigration in addition to stopping illegal.
In many ways Fund's thoughts are troubling in that it seems fairly clear that the people are being denied by their elected government. It begs the question of why the electorate continues to support such behavior at the ballot box. Habit?
7 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
Pook60 10/7/2019 8:40:21 AM (No. 199967)
I don't claim to know John Fund's position on all things immigration, but the second paragraph of the article only proves he is not in favor of shutting down legal immigration. That being said, I'm not aware of that many people wanting to shut down legal immigration. I'm sure there are some fringe groups that take that stand, but it's not most of the people in consideration in this article.
5 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
StormCnter 10/7/2019 8:40:42 AM (No. 199968)
That paragraph does not state he supports illegal immigration. I took his point to be he objects to the ones who want to shut down immigration altogether.
5 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
stablemoney 10/7/2019 8:45:53 AM (No. 199974)
Now we are called populism, and disparagingly. This is why DC has a popularity rating in the low single digits.
8 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
Paperpuncher 10/7/2019 8:59:03 AM (No. 199994)
Ditto #7, 8 and 9. I interpreted it the same way. There was nothing there to indicate he is in favor of illegal immigration only that he is in favor of legal immigration.
3 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
Lawsy0 10/7/2019 9:25:47 AM (No. 200021)
If the vessel we know as National Review is beginning to tack starboard, it would only be to try to recoup their readership losses. Good luck with that.
13 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
Ida Lou Pino 10/7/2019 9:37:27 AM (No. 200037)
Sorry - - no clicks for NRO.
They are on my eternal, never-remove s-list.
Traitorous bums.
13 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
Strike3 10/7/2019 9:57:02 AM (No. 200054)
Europe used to be a charming and educational destination for vacationing, except for some back alleys in a few of the major cities. Immigration, whether legal or illegal, has ruined that concept. When you visited Germany you visited Germans. The same for France and Britain, you could indulge yourself in the native culture and the characteristics of the people. There is hardly a difference in the behavior of the muslim hordes that have taken them over, they all hate their host countries and commit crimes by the dozen. Europe has become one big mess due to the egos and stupid ideas of their weak leadership. The common currency and the ease of travel was a good concept but abuse of each individual country has killed an entire continent. Regardless of what this particular author believes, illegal immigration should be stopped cold and legal immigration should include only people who will be of benefit to their new home, not a burden and a criminal blight.
21 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
The Remnants 10/7/2019 10:22:26 AM (No. 200080)
The "Elites" want us to overestimate them, and underestimate ourselves.
The best way is not to underestimate anyone.
7 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
clayusmcret 10/7/2019 10:53:25 AM (No. 200110)
Fund had me until early on when he wrote "I myself part company with the more radical populist movements on some issues — especially those that want to shut down illegal immigration." From that point on, I knew he still didn't understand fully what or who he was talking about.
5 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
MDConservative 10/7/2019 11:23:40 AM (No. 200140)
#15 - It wasn't immigration that "ruined that concept" of Europe being a charming and educational destination. It was decades-long cultural homogenization primarily fostered by open borders, the dilution of national identity, and near universal acceptance of english as a second language. Entertainment also played a large part, as did technology and inexpensive travel as budget air grew, forcing the railroads to compete.
Most Euros that I know have no interest in their quaint national/ethnic "culture". It's all about celebrating diversity. No lederhosen or wooden shoes, except for the millions of tourists. The rubes ain't rubes anymore, but they can play the part if the price is right.
There's always Euro Disney for the real McCoy!
1 person likes this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
NotaBene 10/7/2019 11:28:41 AM (No. 200143)
The National Review is a National Disgrace.
Let me list the writers of Rich Lowry’s AGAINST TRUMP issue:
Glenn Beck, David Boaz, Brent Bozell, Mona Charen, Ben Domenech, Erick Erickson, Steven F. Hayward, Mark Helprin, William Kristol, Yuval Levin, Dana Lieschke, Andrew C. McCarthy, David McIntosh, Michael Medved, Russel Moore, Michael Mukasey, Katie Pavlich, John Podhoretz, R. R. Reno, Thomas Sowell and Cal Thomas.
Keep Making America Great Again
9 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
Smart11344 10/7/2019 1:45:05 PM (No. 200277)
Regular everyday American's are what made America great. I don't mind how much money any makes. But, the uppity, snobbish elites can can't a hike.
1 person likes this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
LC Chihuahua 10/7/2019 1:53:18 PM (No. 200288)
As time goes on, it becomes more and more evident that the 'elites' are only concerned about themselves, and only want to view the general public as cheap labor or even slaves. These people aren't looking out for us. They are only focused on wealth, power, control, and influence. They aren't fit to lead or govern.
The 'elites' live in their own world. Their own reality. Their own bubble. They already know people are rejecting them. That is why they control who gets elected. They buy elections. Those who get the money, win. They got their way when McCain and Romney ran against Obama. Their interests were covered regardless of whomever got elected. it did not work when Trump was elected President. People want an alternative. They got one in Trump.
The 'elites' are hoping things will go back to 'normal' once Trump's presidency is over. Hope they are wrong, but they largely control the purse string to Washington. Its still an uphill battle.
2 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
iraengneer 10/7/2019 2:01:19 PM (No. 200300)
Well count me as one of those in favor of nearly shutting down ALL immigration of either sort. All.
Look at the legal invasion, with the active assistance of some GOP-e traitors, that have led to Dearbornistan, and "Little Mogadishu" and others like it.. Remember the Tsarnaev types and their bombs? Legally present. Need more examples? For there are many such.
No, we need an extended period for assimilation of our current population. We've done so in the past, and benefited from it. Repeat it. We the people of these United States owe foreigners precisely nothing, and I am weary of hearing fools describe unrestrained entry as a human right, a lie if there ever was one.
6 people like this.
Reply 21 - Posted by:
Omen55 10/7/2019 2:55:28 PM (No. 200352)
The "elites" need to go extinct.
1 person likes this.
Reply 22 - Posted by:
DVC 10/7/2019 3:51:35 PM (No. 200401)
#6, may I gently suggest that it is you who should read more carefully?
Fund doesn't want to end LEGAL immigration, along with ending illegal immigration.
1 person likes this.
Below, you will find ...
Most Recent Articles posted by "Pluperfect"
and
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)