Tuesday, December 27, 2011

WAR Between the Classes Is More Than Economic

In Novemeber, there was an article in Time that intrigued me. The article suggested that there had been and now is a wide gap between what Time called "the military class" and "the Political Elite". And this is what got me thinking today, as I was thinking about class warfare and its usefulness for political manipulation.

The Times article suggested that the military class was becoming ingrown, as more and more children of military families volunteer for military service. These understand military culture, which values duty, honor and country. And such an ingrown culture is not unlike that of elite academia, which until recently didn't allow ROTC into their university environments. Such a condition can't help but alienate "the Academy" from "the military class" and it widens the gap of understanding between the military and those that work in other areas of government. When such alienation happens, it is no wonder that each talks "past each other", because they have different goals and foci.

While the military has been gathering a more ingrown culture, the political class has forgotten the military's major reason for existing and their duty to protect the citizenry against foreign powers under the protections of a Constitutional government. The "academic elite" are those that usually get into political office these days. Those that serve as "Commander in Chief" aren't required to serve in the military, and as a result, humanitarian emphasis has become as important as our nation's political interests. Humanitarian interests sometimes conflicts with the public interests and the public trust of the elected official and national security issues. Should the elected official do his duty of serving his country as elected or seek to implement a change that is not limited or accountable to the people or other branches of government?

Yesterday the Washington Post had an article about the rising costs of campaigning and how limited the average person is in running for office and having an ability to win. Today, the wealth accumulated by our elected officials has furthered the gap between the citizen and the political class.

Such gaps of wealth accumulation further propitiate a "ruling class" where their personal business interests become a consideration when overseeing public affairs/policy deicisions. Where is the ethics of a Congress that can grant exceptions and exemptions to their political allies? Croynism becomes the culture of corruption and leaves the little guy wondering what is happening to his own material security.

Our society if fraught today with many Wars. The culture war between faith and the political; the class warfare between the rich and the poor; the political class and the military; and the ruling class and the peasant. Is it any wonder why the French revolted when their country used public trust and public funds to help other countries, while their own society disintergrated into desolation? Is it any wonder that those that play on political chaos for ther own political gain have the makings of dictators that have no sense of boundary regarding their office? Is it any wonder that the Tea Party and the Occupiers have expressed various concerns, and why the political class isn't interested because they don't really have to be? They are unaccountable and well equipped to take care of themselves without considering what their own self interest costs the nation. Whenever government and its officials become a "law unto themselves", then the rest of us had better be prepared for some rough waters ahead.

5 comments:

Brian Tubbs said...

Hi Angie. Happy New Year. Some interesting observations about the military culture versus the academic culture. You're onto something here. The military is most definitely a distinct culture, with its warrior ethos, acronyms, sense of duty, patriotism, uniformity, etc.

I'm very found of that culture actually, and don't take kindly to when people on the outside condemn it so cavalierly. I think you show signs of trying to understand it as opposed to so many of its other critics. And that's commendable.

The more people try to understand others, the more civility is within reach.

Good article!

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Thanks, Brian.

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Conservatives value order over and above liberty. The military has a structured order for reasons or organization and accomplishing certain ends, that those in leadershiip deem important.

Liberals value liberty over and above order, because they value "the person" over and above the organization. But, such values undermine order, which can be useful to political ends that might not be so "liberal" as to liberty. Totalitarian regimes become empowered, when chaos necessitates bringing order.....

Angie Van De Merwe said...

but, the other side of the argument is JUST as valid. Authoritarianism is abuse of power which our government protects against, because it was divided and separated....Most abusive governments (or any other relationship) is based on authoritarianism (totalitarianism)....

Angie Van De Merwe said...

conclusively, I would say that one's choice as to how to respond depends on one's personal values, not just those of an organization, otherwise, we do choose the organization over and above the right of a person. Such have been religious, as well as business interests....when the two are combined, it is DEADLY because the Cause of God is equated to the "vision" usurping any other right!!! And we believe in America with voluntary service, and association, as well as civil liberties.