Calling someone a member of the establishment is much nicer than referring to the same person’s ancestry or curious sexual proclivities. Nobody wants to be part of the stale guard who lusts after maintaining their own power more than anything, especially at the cost of everyone else’s autonomy.
Being grouped in the elite political fraternity is the biggest insult short of claiming that one thinks that one’s race is superior to others. Even then, those accused of bigotry may be secretly relieved that at least they weren’t alleged to be part of the ruling class.
The establishment doesn’t reside in an established location. Sure, lots of well-dressed weasels are naturally attracted to the charmless, fetid swampland upon which our nation’s capital was built. You don’t need to tell them twice where to find a limitless supply of weasel chow.
But some people who desire to grasp power only reside outside Washington because they can’t win their way inside. Similarly, trustworthy dudes and ladies can work anywhere and have principles that reflect a commitment to defying The Man and his excessively starched dress shirts. What’s important is the willingness to threaten centralized control by saying those who have it should have far less of it.
Attitude transcends position. You can throw a spanner in the works from the inside or conversely beg those mean kids to let you in their tree house.
Ronald Reagan worked 16 years in government but would never be considered of the government. He just gave it a desperately-needed kick in the tail from the best spot to do so. By contrast, Mitch McConnell wants to remain submissive through his, and our, horrid ordeal.
Like a good victim, many Republican leaders beg to go along with what those in control want. The behemoth’s guardians might be slightly less mean if we adequately acquiesce.
But nobody should let suited thugs push them around. This election is about not letting corrupt inside men dictate the pace of our decline before they determine how many champagne crates to stock in each escape pod. Outsiders are righteously attempting to codify their grip on the hair of those on the inside and pull it at will. They’ll never learn if we don’t yank by the roots.
But some of those who lust for control are gelling their hair in anticipation. Mitt Romney is still basing his entire campaign around being sent from Central Casting. His pitch comes down to proclaiming “hooray” for America. But voters see him sitting on a deck chair and managing the nation’s transformation into Earth’s most faded welfare state everywhere but inside the gated community.
Our government should be winding down its intimate involvement in your checkbook. Cutting entitlements would do more to encourage strong families than anything else. But the authority class would rather take money to care for us from either us, or at least from our employers. The worst part of the Old Guard is how they’re reflexively liberal despite the alleged Republican-style disdain for riffraff.
The Republican nominee will be either someone who’s spent too much time in Washington or the guy who only hasn’t because he’s lost so many elections. Whoever we’re stuck with, make darn sure he knows why you voted for him and what you expect in exchange for your valuable support.
Whoever limps to the GOP nomination be a brutal disappointment, but only if you don’t compare him to the incumbent. “He Sucks Less” probably won’t be a slogan used by Mitt Romney’s campaign, but I’m still willing to sell my intellectual property to them.
They might be in the establishment. But you’re not. And you’ve got a blog, Twitter account, email address of your representative, and phone number of your senator. Most importantly, you’re willing to share how you don’t care for anyone who thinks Washington is a good place to get fat and happy by spending your money to hasten the crawl to dependency.
The aspirants to permanent inclusion among the powers that be would find themselves aimlessly and amusingly lost if they were sent back home by astute voters. The consequence would be having to see more of politicians who were returned to their districts. But it’s better to dodge unpleasant people at the supermarket or tavern than get rid of them by sending them to be part of government.
Avoiding fired politicians at home is better than not having to personally encounter them in Washington. And there’s nothing more enjoyable than the thought of people who count on elections to stay employed trying to find work.
When an erstwhile establishment member comes into your place of business looking for a way to make money, save his dignity by humoring him and letting him fill out an application. They’re fibbing if they use me as a reference.
Anthony Bialy is a writer and “Red Eye” conservative in New York City. He tweets at http://twitter.com/AnthonyBialy.
