(This is the beginning of a post at a blog called A Brief History, by Mike Kennedy, a retired thoracic surgeon and perpetual Renaissance man, with interests in medicine, science, history, boating and politics. I also contribute to the blog from time to time. The blog’s title refers to Kennedy’s fascinating book, A Brief History of Disease, Science and Medicine.
In this post, Kennedy describes the characteristics of the governing class, as opposed to the governed, and the former’s consternation that the governed is organizing to offer its own agenda, in groups such as the Tea Party movement.)
— Bradley J. Fikes
The Governing Class
By Mike Kennedy
We are now at an inflection point in the political history of the United States. The people are being subjected to increasingly arbitrary and ideological rule by a small governing minority. There have been several episodes of similar disconnect in our history. The election of Andrew Jackson, after the “corrupt bargain” of 1824. The Federalists of 1824 had as much fear of a backwoods candidate as the present day Democratic Party fears Sarah Palin. He was uncouth and did not understand the subtleties of governing as did John Quincy Adams, for example.
The present day Democrats celebrate Jackson as an exemplar of the Democratic Party when, in fact, he is the antithesis and would feel comfortable in the tea parties of 2010. James Buchanan is another example of rule by a president who did not support the policies and aspirations of the public. He disdained and opposed the policies of the new Republican Party of the day. He sympathized with the Confederates and, it is widely believed, assisted them in weakening Federal control of US property. He later attempted to defend himself and his record is mixed.
Finally, Woodrow Wilson is a revered figure of the Democratic Party although his well known racism (He segregated the civil service and military) would normally affect his reputation. His government in the World War had many characteristics of Fascism and has been the model for corporate government ever since.
Now, we come to an essay that everyone concerned about the present trend to statism should read. Angelo Codevilla is a retired professor of International Relations and former Foreign Service Officer.
Read the entire post here at A Brief History