j.r. leonard

2. A nation or world built on the rule of law must be built on integrity. Not perfect integrity, but enough. We do not have that now. Since the late 1970s, we adopted a philosophy of economic selfishness mixed with cultural tolerance. It's might makes right but no racism please.

3. We have treated one another, and ourselves, as selfish monsters. That is baked into our economic models, our laws, our corporations, our unions, our beliefs. This goes under the guise of efficiency or economics, but it is not efficient or economical.

4. And treating each other like monsters, we have become monsters. Some of us adopt white supremacy, others financial supremacy, some bullying and abuse based on other factors, some do nothing but enable as meek liberals or leftists. But it is about creating an aristocracy.

5. What people miss is that aristocracy is deeply compelling. It goes by many names. Harvard. McKinsey. Google. Koch Industries. Brookings. Economists. It is coercive, socially. It has a moral system. We are not racist! We are gender-blind! We are global and cosmopolitan!

6. And not just to those at the top, but to those at every level. Don't want to be part of our aristocracy? Fine, we'll push you down a level. And another. And another. It's a long way down. And integrity isn't even a factor. I mean, integrity isn't going to get you swing voters.

7. Parents will kill to get their four and five year olds now into pre-feeders for pre-feeders for pre-feeders to Ivy League schools. Not out of love, but out of fear. This is the society we have created. It was created by progressives as much as anyone else.

8. Obama hangs out on Richard Branson's island, borrows private jets from billionaires, and takes endless corporate speaking fees. He does this publicly. He is the living embodiment of what justice looks like in our aristocracy. And it is a picture that is just so unjust.

9. This is our republic. It is our Democratic Party. It is our culture. And we chose Obama, and Biden. We showered them with love and affection, for brutalizing us. We did the same for Clinton. And we scoff at the Republicans for being conned by Trump. But they scoff at us too.