Elitism is Imperiling the Democratic Party
“Defund the police!” is an excellent example of the pernicious elitism eating away at the working-class heart of the Democratic Party.
“Defund the police!”
It may sound great when shouted through a bullhorn. It looks good tagged on a police precinct wall, right next to the universally accepted symbol for anarchy. It makes for a nice trend on Twitter.
But “defund the police” it is a blatantly elitist idea.
Obviously, it is the easiest thing in the world for wealthy liberals, middle-class progressives, college campus revolutionaries and other privileged groups to call (on Twitter) to end a public service they don’t use and never need.
Being privileged in America means never having to call the police; never needing to. Never feeling threatened or scared, never being in any danger; neither falling victim to nor impacted by any form of crime beyond contact with the occasional speeder or inattentive driver.
Not ever needing to call the police is nice, but it is one privilege which is, quite unfortunately, not shared by everyone.
People who live in areas beset by high crime rates; poorer people, in other words, often have a completely different life experience.