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True Liberalism's Demise at the Hands of the Power Elite

True Liberalism's Demise at the Hands of the Power Elite
...always keep in mind that their countrymen are freemen, and, as such, are
impatient of everything that bears the least mark of a domineering spirit.

Alexander Hamilton (June 4, 1791)

By Ladson F. Mills III
Special to VIRTUEONLINE
www.virtueonline.org
July 11, 2016

In the world of celebrity the hierarchy of publicity has replaced the hierarchy of descent and even great wealth.( C. Wright Mills)

Laws are for now only for little people and too big to fail is not just about large banks and corporations. It is a description of a dominate group known as the power elite.

FBI Director James Comey's convoluted explanation as to why former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will not be prosecuted is a prime example. Comey admitted that Mrs. Clinton had been careless and reckless in choosing to handle sensitive national security material on her private email server. However, he mystified even those who agreed with his decision, in admitting that others who make the same mistake would probably be charged. There is no longer any pretense that justice is blind when the Director of the FBI will openly and freely acknowledge a different set of standards exist for those reaching a certain threshold.

The Power Elite first published in 1956 by Columbia University sociologist and leftist thinker C. Wright Mills (No relation-I think) identified an emerging new class known for wielding disproportionate influence according to Elisabeth Bumiller in The Snare of Privilege (New York Times, May 25, 2008).

Mills originally saw this group represented by senior politicians, business and military leaders which President Eisenhower labeled the military industrial complex. It has now grown to include public personalities from all walks of life who attain certain levels. Positon and name recognition are enough to ensure immunity and unlike regular folk they are afforded special treatment.

Politicians and activist are quick to assert that all divisions are the result of racism, sexism, gender or financial inequality. But amazingly no matter how much time, energy or resources are devoted to these issues there is never progress. The way racism is continually decried one might forget there is an African-American President in the White House. Overlooked are the Attorney General, Head of the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Advisor are all African-American. With a black population of 13.4% racial progress has been made somewhere. This rarely if ever receives mention.

Progress is never celebrated because resolution is not the issue. The purpose of the Power Elite is to perpetuate itself and to maintain power by creating dependency. White privilege and cultural appropriation, whatever these phrases mean, are among the newer ways of manipulating people into believing they are victims incapable of helping themselves. The last thing that this power elite desires is for people to recognize that true progress for the most part occurs as a result of our own efforts.

And what is the Episcopal Church doing to offer a vision for hope to this confused and conflicted world. The Presiding Bishop intends to wipe out racism by beating the same old used up racial drum. Unless the demographics of the Episcopal Church has changed radically his own election as the first African-American Presiding Bishop was the result of overwhelming support from non-blacks.

Of course there are serious racial issues as recent events have shown. The treatment of African-Americans by police is unacceptable and must be examined. But of equal importance the 72% plus illegitimate birth rate epidemic plaguing the black community can no longer be overlooked or pushed aside. There will never be any redemptive resolution until all issues concerning race no matter how uncomfortable are on the table.

And now with Christianity the worlds most persecuted religion the major concern of the Episcopal Church leadership is to register dissatisfaction with a North Carolina Restroom law which is deemed as demeaning the dignity of the transgendered. And not to be outdone the Diocese of Georgia has joined the ranks of the inane with its decision to have the president of Integrity lead a conference on teen issues.

Perhaps it would be worth considering what would happen when a middle aged male pedophile decides that he is in reality a pre-pubescent female trapped in a male's body. He can demand his legal right to use the female restroom. Once you adopt insanity as normality the stupidity never ends. Or as John Wayne aptly described it, life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid.

The Episcopal Church is not alone in its fast track to become the poster child for the ludicrous. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby recently suggested Britons who voted to leave the European Union did so as an excuse for hatred. His statement betrays his true concern. When people accept personal responsibility then they are no longer dependent upon being told what to do. This spells trouble for those like Welby and others who currently occupy the seats of power. The real issue he should have raised is why the European Union offers only two choices to its membership; stay and do as told, or leave.

The Power Elite react negatively to anything that unsettles their world. Perhaps this is why the Presiding Bishop continually presents a 1960's vision of race relations. It unmasked the reason why the National Chancellor of the Episcopal Church David Beers would rather face ruin than give up dioceses like South Carolina. Beers knows there is no alternative to total power and domination when there is nothing left to offer.

Carol Hunt of the Irish Independent observes, we've all become utterly terrified offending other people's political, religious, and cultural sensibilities, we're not in the habit of telling others their beliefs are complete and utter hogwash.

It is time to say oink oink to those who continue to advance such utter nonsense. We have experienced more than enough deception and failure from the power elite.

If there is an interest in tackling the real issues that plague our world, then it's time we get back to proclaiming the Gospel. But the game playing must stop.

Ladson F. Mills III is a priest with over thirty year's pastoral experience. He is retired and lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in Residence at the Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to VIRTUEONLINE.

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