In Defense of Elitism

It's pretty obvious that the dirty word of this political season is "Elitist". As in "elitist candidate", "elitist media"and so on.....
Well the definition of elite is to be the best. So being the best is now not politically correct?? Fears of being an elitist should make us all into Budweiser swigging, TV watching, chip chomping couch potatoes?? I don't get this new form of quasi-socialism perpetuated by the Republican party. (The former elitists)
Eating an interesting veggie, say arugula, instead of iceberg lettuce makes you elitist. Why- because it has more vitamins?? Then a friend of mine called me elitist in reference to my opinion that a political candidate should go to a top notch university. Again, a better education is somehow snobby. We should all be drop outs then.
I'm certain that one of the reasons the Europeans don't understand Americans is this strange cultural socialism. That we all want to be Joe six-pack, and our kids want to be "bad-asses" not nerds.
When I think of a few examples of items considered "elitist", what comes to mind is-- classical music, literature, fine wine, art museums, ethnic foods, exotic greens. Of course one could say fine wine is expensive--but greens at the farmers market are usually the same price in Alaska, museums are cheaper than sporting events, libraries and classical music on NPR are free!! So what are we really talking about???? Besides, so many "elitist" foods are healthier--so good health is now wrong too??
Lastly, I speculate that some folks just associate snob with elitist. As elitist technically means the best--does that also mean that people who win awards, medals, contests, etc...are all snobs too?? That we can no longer "be all we can be" ?? In my opinion that is what is most un-American about this debate. If we all continue to embrace the opposite of the best we will simply wind up collectively driving our country downward--in a spiral of unhealthy eating, lackluster education and a loss of interest in classical pursuits. If we don't have the elite to look up to, we can only look down.

I'm Just Like You!--Struggling on $200,000 a Year

In their new found embrace of populist (ahem, Socialist) ideals the new Republicans love to demonize anything 'elitist' or uppity. Anything to do with fancy food, higher education, etc.. is bad, bad, bad...They just want the voter to think--we are like you, you, you!
Hence the new Republican star--Mrs. Sarah Palin. The "everyday hockey mom", who shops at Wal-Mart and knows all the working mans woes.
The last time I checked, median salary for a US family was around $50,000. The Palins on the other hand, usually live on a $200,000+ salary. Before she was governor, her Oil & Gas commissioner job paid $125,000 annually. Not to mention her husband's good oil field "slope" salary and fishing income. They own various properties, a plane (or two?) and reside in a $500,000 house in Wasilla. Not too shabby considering half a million buys you A LOT in that part of Alaska.
So how can she be considered "common"? I have no idea why on earth she even shops at Wal-Mart. Either it's a political ploy, or she doesn't have a clue. There is also the bizarre Alaskan Wasilla custom, where everyone with money likes to pretend "I'm just like you--common Joe". They love to deny that they are rich and stick to burgers & T-shirts.
Even with money bulging form their pockets, big houses, new trucks and RV's out front. These people will brag--"I'm no snob!"
Just look around at Wasilla, any decent restaurant collapses in favor of fast food joints or IHOP, just because nobody wants to be seen eating at an "elitist" restaurant.
It's really a shame though. Because it perpetuates the American ideal that greed is good, but culture is "snobby", hence the dumbing down cycle continues. Meanwhile the rich folks of Wasilla march around self-righteously proclaiming, "I am one of you--the common American, pass the Bud!"

The Lost Souls of the Alaska Playground

I know juvenile delinquents exist everywhere. But there's a special breed of lost boys running around Alaska. A co-worker and I coined them the "lost souls". You see them in the Mat-Su Valley parking lots, with skate boards in hand, dirty black clothes and anger in their eyes. It's not the clothes or the boards that bother me--it's that angry "devil may care" look. You know they are going home to unhappy homes in turmoil when these kids (ages 8-12, no joke) have so much hate in their eyes. I know the difference between bratty posers and real trouble, but these are the real deal.
Today I was at a park in Alaskan suburbia-- a.k.a Eagle River. I was surprised that two of these lost souls were at the playground in this otherwise more gentile region. The two lost boys proceeded to pick on a nicer boy, first by taking his bike helmet, then his bike. They told the boy he could get his bike back for twenty dollars. (Did I mention the tormentors were not a hair over 9 years old)??? I had had enough when they pushed the poor kids bike down a small embankment. So I proceeded to intervene--at least it gave the picked on child a chance for a graceful exit. I sternly told the punks that their attitudes were disturbing and they should go home to their parents--one looked me in the eye and angrily said--wish I could! Of course the bleeding heart liberal inside of me (or is it the old fashioned conservative?)knew that was the case. But what to do?? These kinds of kids are just gone already. If a nine year old is that mean and the parents aren't around, they are just doomed to delinquency. But I don't have the answer.

Is Our Presidential Race just like High School??

I am confused, puzzled and in a state of disbelief as to the number of normal white women who have told me that they support Sarah Palins run to become v.p. Many know nothing about her except that '"I like her" "she's personable" and "well-spoken" or "just like me".
Now when did being "just like me" make you a good candidate for president?? Does that mean everyone thinks they can be president too??
The thing is that Sarah Palin has this undeniable magnetism, that somehow hooks and draws people in. It's like the most popular cheerleader or girl at school and everyone wants to be her friend. It's a sad day for women, when they care so little about their candidates stance on issues, experience, but just want to like the person!! (or vote for a woman)
Again, I too find her a likable person, and had no problem with her being Governor of Alaska. But is she ready to lead the Nation? Or the prom queen parade?

When Did the Republican Party Become Socialists?

So listening to the Republican National Convention speeches last night, you could see that the obvious theme was how the McCain/Palin ticket is not "elitist" and understands the common man. Of course that is the big appeal of Palin--she's just a Wal-Mart shopping hockey mom with her blue-collar husband. Doesn't know much about the upper class and prefers to keep it that way. Her most popular move in Alaska has been the promise of oil money "kick-backs" to make sure all Alaskans share in the wealth of high oil prices.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that these populist attitudes reflect the policies of the South American socialist leaders much more than typical Republican banter....Power to the proletarian! is the new Republican slogan...We come from the masses and hate the elite! Down with the big oil monopolies! Down with the status quo!
What gives?? I'm actually no socialist hater, but the Republicans need to get their message straight. For years and years it has been love the big oil, big business and corporate America keeps us all employed...
The Republican "think tanks" FUNDAMENTALLY believe that common people power is toxic--as their philosophy is very simply based upon the notion that wealth is an earned right to those that are chosen from the "better, industrious, smarter, prettier" gene pool. And that these wealthy folks will rent enough golf carts and eat at enough restaurants to keep the rest of us employed through the beauty of trickle down economics...yeah right.
I mean if the Republicans really took the people seriously, they would have gotten rid of the electoral college and allowed the candidate that won the polular vote to win in 2000-wouldn't they?? But no, they know that our forefathers specifically created the electoral college to make sure that the common (re: uneducated) man would not have the final say in who was elected president. They feared this notion that they now so eagerly embrace>>>

Wasilla Alaska Rednecks 101

There has been a shocking amount of interest in the love drama between Sarah Palin's daughter and her baby daddy, Levi. Looking at all the media hype, many like to refer to the boy's apparent redneck pride.
Well let me tell you folks a few quick factoids about Wasilla:
1st- Many, many residents of Wasilla wear their redneck label as a badge of honor. Instead of "redneck" the other favorable term of endearment is "Valley Trash", as in "Proud to be Valley Trash" bumper stickers. (this term was actually coined by Ben Stevens, Senator Ted Stevens son)
2nd- Wasilla is the duct tape and Wal-Mart capital of the world. Don't know the exact standing as of today, but record amount of folks congregate at the Wasilla Wal-Mart and spend many of their purchasing dollars on Duct tape.
3rd- Wasilla high school has been called a "drop out Factory". There is not much stigma at all attached to dropping out of school in some parts of Alaska. Note that the baby-daddy himself may not have graduated.
4th- Wealth in Wasilla is measured purely by the size of your truck tires.
5th- It's hard to relate to the rest of the country as a born and bred Wasilla person. Note how Bristol's baby daddy was chewing gum on stage at the RNC! Yikes! I actually felt bad for him and just wish someone had told him to spit it out!!
Lastly: Some folks drive around with "Lord Help Me Get Through Wasilla" bumper stickers. I still haven't figured out if that means--help me avoid pulling over at the local meth lab, or please don't let me get struck by a monster truck....

That said, I really don't want to engage in too much Palin bashing, after all she is freakishly likable. But people really need to to get a better picture of what Wasilla really is. And is the world ready for it??

Black Bear, Brown Bear, Dead Bear

The new craze in Alaska is bear attacks. Ok, I guess I can't call it a craze, but it is an increasingly common phenomena. Usually the story is very similar--someone is jogging or biking in the twilight hours near a bear & cubs--then gets attacked. Almost always this is a grizzly (brown bear).
Now, the argument is--are the amount of bears increasing in the city areas? Or are the amount of people increasing?? Interestingly these two arguments are nicely sliced between the "greenies" and the "hunters". The greenies claim there are too many people in bear territory, but the other "hunter" group thinks bears should be hunted and prohibited/eliminated from living in city limits.
What makes it a little funny, is that the group claiming the bears should be shot--isn't the one getting attacked. As these outdoor hikers & joggers are often greenies--they don't necessarily "blame the bear" when interviewed afterwards. And thank goodness that everyone has survived this year, otherwise it would certainly be a different story.
My own personal bias, is that more and more people are becoming "bear phobic". Especially towards the more common, smaller and shy black bears. For some reason everyone likes to use the term "bear" without differentiating between the two species. The end result being innocent black bears get shot on sight (like the poor guy who was roaming our neighborhood) or folks become afraid to go hiking and enjoy the great outdoors. It's really a shame.
Bottom line: everyone should always practice good bear behavior. Make noise, wear bells, stay away from salmon streams at dusk. And most of all --watch your rear when jogging!!!