Can we please stop referring to the governing elite?

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 29 Oct 2011, 03:21

I read an article in the Evening Standard a week or so ago that referred to the "governing elite." It said "The feral behaviour of the bankers, politicians, the police and journalists has opened a chasm between ordinary people and the governing elite."

The description of their behaviour shows that they are not an "elite." And why some of them are thought to be elite, I am not sure. Someone who deals in usury for a living; someone who bends the truth to his own warped meaning; someone who uses powers they don't have to hold people where they don't want to be, kettling I think it is called, while asking for more powers to deal with something when they already have them but don't use them: and someone who doesn't let the truth get in the way of a good story; can they be thought of as an elite.

There are plenty of other words we can use such a clique, an exclusive group of people who share common interests, views, purposes, patterns of behaviour, or cabal, a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or person in authority ..., but that has turned round. The government, and their small group of backers, are the plotters against the community as a whole. I prefer cabal but I am sure someone with a greater knowledge of our language can come up with another, somewhat more derogatory but apt term.

And who appointed bankers, the police and journalist to govern us. Politicians, at least, can claim that we have voted them into office to make our laws and generally run the country. But bankers, or *ankers as they have become known, are people who we have appointed to look after the money we entrust to them while we aren't using it. The police are people who are appointed by the government, on behalf of us, the community, to work for us, keeping us safe from those who have no respect for the laws our government has created. Journalists are people who keep us in touch with the goings on in the world. Just because you have a good grasp of language doesn't make you one of an elite. The average journalist has only the smallest grasp of science or engineering, which make our life so comfortable, so why should they consider themselves an elite.

I'll stick to the "governing cabal" for now until someone comes up with a better description.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 29 Oct 2011, 13:23

There's no respect for our betters any more. It's time caps came back into fashion, so we can doff them to those whose role in life is to govern us. We also need to stop complaining that they have all the money, as they deserve it, and we don't. "Ordinary" people are so ungrateful nowadays, and don't know their place.

cubes · Post by **cubes** » 29 Oct 2011, 16:05

From wikipedia

Elite (occasionally spelled élite) (Latin, electus - "chosen") refers to an exceptional and/or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence. Depending on the context, this power might be physical, spiritual, intellectual and/or financial.

According to that definition elite is a correct term to use. otoh, I think the term scum fits far better.

jonny2mad · Post by **jonny2mad** » 29 Oct 2011, 17:22

I like cabal

madibe · Post by **madibe** » 29 Oct 2011, 20:36

Perhaps looking at the wrong people when using the term 'Elite'.

But the 'Elite' control TPTB ...those who are visible to us and therefore considered elite. (note case)

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 29 Oct 2011, 21:48

The word actually just reminds me of condoms.

A cartel? A connivance? A collusion? A cahoot? A chicanery? A coven? A contriving? A conspiracy? A complicity? A clan?

Sorry about being stuck on C.