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Home Front: Culture Wars
The New Liberal Aristocracy
2013-01-09
‘Limousine liberal” is an old American term used against those who inherited lots of money and then became “traitors to their class” by embracing populist politics.

The Roosevelts and Kennedys enjoyed the high life quite apart from the multitude that they championed. And they were exempt, by virtue of their inherited riches and armies of accountants and attorneys, from the higher taxes they advocated for others. Few worried about how their original fortunes were made long ago, or that as lifelong government officials they had their needs met by the state. Most were relieved instead that as very rich people they wanted less rich people to pay their fair share to help the poor.

But the new liberal aristocracy is far less discreet than the old. Most are self-made multimillionaires who acquired their money through government service, finance, law, investment, or marriage. If the old-money liberals lived it up tastefully within their walled family compounds, the new liberal aristocrats are unashamed about living openly in a manner quite at odds with their professed populist ideology.
Posted by:g(r)omgoru

#2  they were exempt, by virtue of their inherited riches and armies of accountants and attorneys, from the higher taxes they advocated for others.

Yeah, they are good at keeping their own wealth but good at re-distributing everyone else's.
Posted by: JohnQC   2013-01-09 14:28  

#1  Wealth isn't the problem in the USA, it's RENT-SEEKING.

The leaderships of both parties are equally at it too.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2013-01-09 05:01  

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