I suspect we had better elites to emulate, in earlier times in this country. Many came to their position through hard work, and did not begrudge those ‘beneath’ them on the economic ladder. They shared the same culture, beliefs, and in many cases institutions.

I think this started to change, like so much, in the so-called Progressive Era.

Now our elite are decadent and our society is fragmented beyond belief. We are a society in name only.