General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The "liberal elite" [View all]H2O Man
(75,577 posts)Of course there are "conservative elites." They are found in every community in the United States. They prey upon the ignorance of the registered republicans who are hoping to reach the elite status, and who blame non-republicans for their every failure.
Republican elites are found in both corporations and in government positions -- including both elected and non-elected offices. The synergism of corporate and government power allows the elite to become entrenched in terms of economic and political power. I've yet to see a single DU forum member who is unaware of, or who denies, this glaring reality.
Many Democrats -- and a higher percentage of the Democratic Left -- recognize that there are democratic elites. This again is based upon economic status, and access to the political power that allows them to become entrenched and generally out of touch with the reality of the problems that the majority of citizens are confronted with. That does not mean the Democratic Party is "elitist." That is not what Bernie is saying. It simply means that in some important instances, those Democrats in power are not representing the thoughts, beliefs, values, or needs of the common citizen.