Apostles of Privilege

It is fitting that Jackleg Thinktank examine the careers, thoughts, and activities of those who are the leaders in the movement to hijack this alleged democracy. If we want to look at the political scene as a war between classes, as our business and political leaders seem to do, then surely we can identify the leadership of the Privilege movement. Our brother diarist, gid, has graciously agreed to coordinate nominations to an elite group of twelve Apostles of Privilege. It probably isn't necessary to state that the figurehead, the Messiah,the Prince of Privilege is George W. Bush. As we review the criteria for membership in that elite club, the Apostles of Privilege, it should become obvious why there is no need to debate George W. Bush as the Messiah, the Prince of Privilege.

The criteria for inclusion as an Apostle of Privilege are subject to discussion, but should include as a skeletal framework:
1. The individual must be RICH, preferably born rich. The only exceptions that can be made would be for individuals who are not yet rich, but want only rich friends and have spent a lifetime currying the favor of the rich.
2. The individual must never have WORKED for an hourly wage to support his family nor have been a member of a LABOR union. Exceptions can be made for those who were laborers for fewer than, say, five years and then betrayed their former peers when their fortunes changed. Using the pronoun "his" was neither unthinkingly nor intentionally politically incorrect, because it is not likely that many females will qualify for consideration in this group.
3. The individual should have not been the recipient of a public education at the elementary, secondary, or college level. Being exposed to the democratizing influence of the poor, the African American, the nonconformist, the liberal would be a corruption above which a potential Apostle of Privilege might never rise. Exceptions to this criterion are possible, but not likely.
4. A nominee should not served as a member of the armed services, certainly in the enlisted ranks. People who aspire to be leaders, much Apostles, in the Privilege do not have time to serve in the military. Exceptions can be made for those who served in the Reserve or National Guard, especially in the time when it was just about impossible for the children of working Americans to join. Former officers in any service are potential candidates because they obviously thrived in a system based on artificial distinctions between persons based on criteria other than merit. Strangely, there are few such persons who are obvious candidates for the Apostle level among Privileged classes.
5. Being a member of an elite during one's formative years may be a criterion but is most likely just a part of the experience set.
6. Any serious candidate for Apostle of Privilege has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to lie, engage in character assassination, obfuscate, and avoid honorable and honest discourse with those who disagree with the agenda of Privilege.
7. A legitimate candidate to be named an Apostle of Privilege will likely have a history of opposing greater empowerment or participation for some classes of citizens. Examples include women, minorities, and gays.

Other members of the Thinktank or readers of this log may wish to submit criteria for nomination. A speculative and sketchy list for inclusion as candidates would include Grover Norquist (who will, in fact, be nominated today by gid), Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney, Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch, Reverend Moon, Senator Rick Santorum, Senator George Allen, and Lee Atwater. Your contributions will help identify the leadership of the Church of the Fat of the Land, or whatever better name for these fatcats we can devise.