MSW: In UK and US, political elites squandered deference they once enjoyed

MSW: In UK and US, political elites squandered deference they once enjoyed
In general, surveys show that citizens have little respect for the civil rights of others. It used to be that most members of Congress were attorneys who would at least try to keep popular prejudice out of the law. Of course, economic and religious elites have an easier go of manipulating state legislators.

When the Catholic bishops hooked up with the Koch brothers (who funded the Tea Party and the American Legislative Exchange Council) to whip up the masses about abortion and marriage, it takes the federal bench to push back. Don't ever say that popular reactionaries lack a religious component. Religion is the vanguard of all populist reactionaries.

An ugly outbreak of racism not seen since the days before abortion was an issue for white evangelicals was stoked by Republican elites from McConnell to Trump. Trump simply rode the tiger to where Fox News told him to go.

Reactionaries always rebel against progress, whether it be on making healthcare a right or electing the son of a continental African and a progressive white girl to the Presidency.

The simmering hatred for government (although the unelected bureaucrats they live to hate are usually partisan assistant secretaries, not the careerists)has been the driving force for the canard that the government should be run like a business. Reagan was that kind of outsider, but the hard core CEO idols were Perot and Bloomberg. And then came Trump, who actually won and brought all the amorality of the C Suite to the Oval.

Fox News is the outgrowth of Roger Ailes project to create a counterweight to the media that brought down President Nixon and came of age going after Clinton and supporting Bush and Cheney's wars. Once Cheney was deranged, Bush actually did a fairly good job getting out if Iraq. It was not Katrina that did his party in as much as simmering corruption, both sexual and financial in the GOP Congress, although the Woodward book had to have some effect.

Britain's anti-immigrants were likely stoked by their right-wing news outfits. Guess who owned both? Sir Rupert himself. The ultimate media elite. Lay Brexit at his feet and the lack of courage by PM may to call for a revote.

It is the other media who seem to think that they must give each side equal weight where the system breaks down. Likewise, when the elite of the GOP lack the courage to tame the monster they created to beat Obama, their party is doomed. Let it die with their MAGA oldsters.

Let the other side find the courage to take down Trump. They have the Congress because Trump scared people, not because they agree with Pelosi on healthcare. Waiting for 2020 will be too cute by half. People who want Trump out may stay home if Pelosi does not do it now rather than milk it for electoral gain.

None of this has to do with shedding religiosity. It has everything to do with putting electoral victory over the common good and the White  Evangelical mega-pastors and the Catholic bishops are in on the game.

It is not so much symbolic leadership we need from Francis as removing the bishops who have put party before pulpit. There are smells stronger than sheep he needs to take care of.