Elite counterbalance political extremes

I find disturbing and reckless the frequent references from certain political figures who disparage the elite. Why?

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the elite are the “best or most skilled members of a given social group.” Wouldn't we want our children taught be an elite teacher, our surgery performed by an elite surgeon and our government run by elite politicians? I suspect that political figures who disparage the elite are simply attempting to demonize people they don't agree with.

The dangers inherent in demonizing the elite are evident as we consider history. Consider the Russian purges of the 1920s and 1930s in which political figures, writers, artists and intellectuals were imprisoned and frequently executed. Or, the Cultural Revolution in China in the 1960s where similar people met a similar fate. I contend that the elite in these countries were viewed as an impediment to autocratic social control and were consequently eliminated.

The elite in this country provide a very important counterbalance to political extremism from either the political right or left.

Robert J. Boes

Ely