Author: blueridgemountain_man

David Brooks, a columnist for The New York Times, once wrote:

“We don’t want to live in a populist paradise in which expertise is suspect and ignorance a sign of virtue. Nor do we want to live in an elitist world in which technocrats try to rule the world. As the political scientist James C. Scott showed, technocrats are too abstracted from reality to even see what is going on.

We need to settle upon a place where experts are respected and inform decision-making, but civilians make the ultimate calls. In a healthy democracy people revere great learning on substantive issues; they understand the world is too complex to be captured in bite-size slogans; but they also appreciate the wisdom that comes from concrete experience and know that most hard calls have to be made in light of the deeply held values that have made America what it is.”

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This quote resonates deeply with me. It captures a vital balance: respecting expertise while staying grounded in the lived realities of everyday people. In a healthy political culture, experts inform decisions, but the people—grounded in values and experience—through their representatives, make the final calls. Sadly, that balance seems increasingly absent in today’s polarized world.

Reflecting on Experience

As someone who grew up reading National Review and Mr. Brooks, who once wrote for NR, I’ve always appreciated the importance of culture and the pursuit of “the permanent things.” Coming from a lower-middle-class family, with parents who didn’t attend college, I quickly realized the value of educating myself. Reading well-written journals like National Review about culture and politics became my pathway to understanding the world. In high school and throughout college, I devoured the bi-weekly magazine from cover to cover—an experience that shaped my understanding of conservatism and the values that underpin our country. Although David Brooks and I have evolved in different directions over the years, we’ve held onto a similar core belief: hard decisions must be made in light of deeply held values, not fleeting trends.

The Rise of the “Bobos”

Back in 2000 I eagerly read Brooks’ book ‘Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There,’ his funny and sharp take on a new kind of cultural elite that emerged in America during the late 20th century. He called them “Bobos,” a mashup of “bourgeois” (middle-class, practical, materialistic) and “bohemian” (creative, free-spirited, countercultural). These people, according to Brooks, have taken over the cultural and professional world—and their quirks, contradictions, and influence are everywhere.

He noticed that the old divide between stuffy, materialistic “bourgeois” types and artsy, rebellious “bohemians” was disappearing. In their place was this hybrid: highly educated, affluent people who wanted the best of both worlds. They’re ambitious and wealthy but try to stay laid-back and authentic. They shop at farmers’ markets, send their kids to private schools, wear $200 hiking boots, and call it “casual.” Think of the tech executive who drives a Tesla but vacations at an off-grid yoga retreat—that’s a Bobo.

The Values of the Bourgeois Bohemians

Education is the New Status Symbol:  Forget inherited wealth—Bobos believe the real path to the top is through education. Degrees from Ivy League schools or other prestigious universities are their ultimate badges of honor. They’re obsessed with learning and credentials, and they make sure their kids are too. They’ll pay crazy amounts for private schools and tutors to keep their families in the meritocracy club.

Moral Consumption:  Bobos hate the idea of being materialistic, so they justify their spending as “ethical” or “enriching.” They’ll splurge on organic, local, sustainable everything—food, clothing, you name it. They’re the reason why Whole Foods exists and why you’re paying $8 for a latte with oat milk.

Secular Spirituality:  Traditional religion? Not really their thing. Bobos are into yoga, mindfulness, and “spirituality” that doesn’t involve commitment to any one faith. It’s more about inner peace and personal growth. Their worldview is a mix of self-help books, meditation apps, and the occasional retreat in Bali.

Here’s the kicker. Bobos love to see themselves as egalitarian and anti-materialistic, but their whole lifestyle revolves around privilege and money. They spend loads of cash to look low-key, and they talk about social justice while benefiting from an elite system. Brooks doesn’t hate them for it; he’s just pointing out how funny and self-contradictory it all is.

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Why Populism Resonates Today

There’s a growing feeling out there that the elites—the so-called Ivy League types who populate our institutions—just don’t get it anymore. They’re living in their own world, flying over the country in private jets, sitting in newsrooms, boardrooms, or cushy government offices, and looking down at everyone else. For the average person, it feels like these folks think they’re smarter than everyone and should be running the show, but when push comes to shove, they’re out of touch with what people actually need and care about.

That’s a big part of why someone like Donald Trump can make such a strong appeal. Love him or hate him, he’s not one of them. He doesn’t speak the careful, sanitized language of elite culture, and a lot of people find that refreshing—someone who might actually stick it to the folks who’ve let us down (according to the populists.)

Take the COVID shutdowns. Sure, it’s easy for an elite with a nice house, a stocked fridge, and a laptop job to say, “Stay home, save lives.” But for small business owners, or people who need to show up somewhere to make a paycheck, that advice felt like a gut punch. Shuttering businesses, closing schools, and locking people down had real-world consequences that the experts didn’t seem to grasp. Small businesses, the backbone of so many communities, were crushed, while big corporations like Amazon thrived. And now, looking back, some are questioning if all those decisions were worth it. People remember being told to “trust the science,” only to watch the so-called experts flip-flop or ignore the struggles of ordinary folks.

Then there’s the whole gender ideology thing and the cancel culture it spawned. For most parents, it feels like it came out of nowhere. One minute, they’re helping their kids with math homework; the next, they’re hearing about pronouns, gender identity lessons, and books in the school library that they never imagined their kids would be reading. To parents who just want their kids to grow up with some sense of stability and common sense, it feels like these ideas are being pushed on them by the same cultural elites who already run the media, Hollywood, and universities (see stats below). The whole thing feels disconnected from reality, especially for families who are just trying to teach their kids right from wrong, without all the added confusion.

And then there’s the media. Trust in journalism is at an all-time low, and it’s not hard to see why. The news used to feel like it was about getting the facts and letting people make up their own minds. Now, a lot of people feel like the media is more interested in pushing a narrative or looking down on anyone who doesn’t agree with them. When working-class concerns—whether it’s inflation, crime, or the border—don’t seem to get the same airtime as elite cultural debates, it’s hard not to feel ignored.

Inflation—A Tax on Everyone

Another sore spot for the average person is inflation—the so-called “hidden tax” that hits everyone, but especially those who can least afford it. While elites might feel the pinch of rising prices at the steakhouse or on luxury vacations, for most families, inflation isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a crisis. When groceries cost more each week, gas prices eat into the budget, and rent skyrockets, people start asking tough questions: How did this happen? Why didn’t the experts see it coming? And, most importantly, why aren’t they doing more to fix it?

For those outside the elite bubble, it feels like policymakers and central bankers are insulated from the pain they’ve helped create. Printing trillions of dollars and flooding the economy with easy money might sound like a good idea in a committee meeting, but the ripple effects hit real people in real ways. Paychecks don’t stretch as far, savings lose value, and the dream of homeownership drifts further out of reach. Meanwhile, the very institutions responsible for managing the economy often feel like they’re playing catch-up, offering little more than excuses while ordinary folks bear the brunt of their missteps.

All of this adds up to one big conclusion for a lot of people: the institutions that are supposed to work for everyone—government, schools, media—aren’t doing their jobs. And worse, they seem more interested in serving themselves than serving the people. That’s why there’s this populist energy bubbling up. People are tired of being told to “sit down and trust the experts” when it feels like those same experts don’t trust them or understand what it’s like to walk in their shoes. It’s a pushback against a culture that feels elitist, out of touch, and sometimes even hostile to the values and struggles of everyday Americans.

That’s what modern day populists think.  And, they have a point. 

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Let’s take a closer look at the political leanings within some of our key institutions, focusing on campaign contributions and voting patterns. These are not the only metrics, to be sure, but they will shed some light on the concerns about elite influence.

The Media and Institutional Bias

Once seen as a neutral conveyor of facts, many now view the media as a partisan echo chamber. Surveys show journalists lean heavily left, with political donations from major outlets overwhelmingly favoring Democrats. While professionalism strives for objectivity, subconscious biases—or outright groupthink—can shape what gets covered and how.

This ideological homogeneity extends beyond journalism to education and government institutions. For example, Ivy League faculty donations skew almost entirely Democratic, with Yale’s faculty contributing 98% to Democrats in recent cycles.

Educational Backgrounds of Journalists

• A large proportion of journalists at major outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and major TV networks (CNN, NBC, ABC) are educated at elite universities (e.g., Ivy League schools, Stanford, Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Columbia Journalism School).

Political Preferences of Journalists

• Surveys consistently show that journalists lean politically left:

• A 2017 study by the Center for Public Integrity found that 96% of political donations from journalists went to Democratic candidates during the 2016 election.

• Pew Research Center surveys indicate that most journalists identify as liberal or left-of-center, especially in larger national outlets.

Is it any wonder that many people have increasingly turned to alternative media over the past few decades?

Ivy League School Administrators and Faculty:

Political donations from Ivy League faculty and administrators heavily favor Democratic candidates. For instance, during the 2022 midterm elections, 96% of donations from Ivy League professors went to Democrats, with only 4% to Republicans. This significant disparity highlights the liberal inclination prevalent in these prestigious institutions.  

• Yale University: A 2023 analysis by the Yale Daily News found that 98% of faculty political donations went to Democratic groups, with only 2% directed towards Republicans.  

• Harvard University: A survey conducted by The Harvard Crimson reported that 77% of Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences identified as “liberal” or “very liberal,” while fewer than 3% identified as “conservative” or “very conservative.”  

• Ivy League Employees Overall: An analysis by Times Higher Education revealed that employees of Ivy League universities contributed 95% of their political donations to Democratic candidates .

Government & Institutional Bias

Federal agencies reflect similar patterns, as highlighted by data from OpenSecrets.org. Such lopsidedness makes calls for diversity and inclusion ring hollow when diversity of thought is conspicuously absent.

Federal Government Bureaucracy:

1. Pentagon (Department of Defense):

In the 2024 election cycle, employees from the Department of Defense contributed approximately $621,206 to Democratic candidates and $448,713 to Republicans, indicating a slight preference towards Democrats.  

2. Justice Department:

During the same period, Justice Department employees donated around $448,713 to Democrats and $149,747 to Republicans, showing a stronger lean towards Democratic candidates.  

3. Treasury Department:

Employees here contributed about $253,190 to Democrats and $60,274 to Republicans, reflecting a significant tilt towards Democratic support.  

4.  Department of Education:

Notably, Department of Education employees donated $65,155 exclusively to Democratic candidates, with no reported contributions to Republicans.   None.

In this cycle, (2024) the Air Force is the only Federal agency listed with more donations to Republicans than to Democrats.

Agency	Democrat Donations	Republican Donations
Education	$65,155	$0
Interior	$282,684	$6701
OPM	$33,197	$0
Commerce	$371,159	$33,045
Labor	$85,897	$4201
Agriculture	$352,308	$28,216
Defense	$621,206	$448,713
Justice	$448,713	$149,747
Energy	$374,157	$17,885
Treasury	$253,190	$60,274
Transportation	$204,130	$95,665
Army	$363,213	$314,514
Navy	$303,956	$214,735
Air Force	$209,378	$221,779
Veterans Affairs	$694,951	$223,202
Total	$4,139.734	$1,819,677

Source: OpenSecrets.org

If you exclude current military service members—whose donations tend to reflect a more balanced political composition—the disparity in political contributions by federal agency employees becomes even more pronounced. Democrats receive $3,263,188 compared to $1,068,649 for Republicans, a striking 75% to 25% split. This contrast underscores the diverse, meritocratic culture of the military, where service and mission take precedence over partisan ideology, fostering a political balance more representative of the nation as a whole. (Although you should read an earlier post about DEI indoctrination in the military.)

Toward a Better Balance

It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it? The same elite institutions that proudly wave the flag of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) often seem to lack true diversity where it matters most—diversity of thought. While their contributions to informed discourse and public service are undeniable, their apparent ideological uniformity make their calls for equity and inclusion feel a bit hollow—especially when alternative viewpoints are often dismissed, ignored, or even suppressed. It’s hard not to wonder: where’s the real inclusivity in all of this?

Yet, it doesn’t have to be this way. Restoring viewpoint diversity doesn’t mean rejecting expertise or turning against institutions. It means ensuring that all voices are heard—especially those that challenge the status quo. Populist frustration isn’t just a rebellion against elites; it’s a cry for recognition, fairness, and accountability.

Final Thoughts

As someone who values cultural conservatism and Christian faith, I don’t always agree with populism’s style or substance. Yet I understand its appeal. People are tired of being told to “trust the experts” while watching those same experts fail to grasp their struggles. Instead of dismissing these concerns, we need open, honest conversations that bridge divides rather than deepen them.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of Trump’s style. There are plenty of moments where I find myself cringing at his tactics, not to mention his past ethical lapses, which aren’t exactly inspiring. But at the same time, I don’t buy into the idea that he’s some kind of dictator-in-waiting. We have a system of checks and balances for a reason, and it’s built to prevent anyone from grabbing too much power—no matter who’s in office. Maybe what we’re seeing right now is more of an over-correction than anything else, a reaction to years of feeling like the elites have ignored or dismissed so many people.

As we move forward, we must commit to fostering a culture that values viewpoint diversity—a kind of diversity that is too often overlooked in today’s institutions. Without it, we risk isolating ourselves in echo chambers that only amplify division and resentment. True progress comes when expertise and lived experience complement one another, and when differing perspectives are not just tolerated but actively sought out. Let’s work toward a democracy that genuinely serves all its people by embracing the messy, challenging, yet vital conversations that arise when diverse voices are heard and respected.

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Celebrate Viewpoint Diversity