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Political Elites, Congress: The American Fopocracy
DBKP ^ | November 2, 2009 | Mondo Frazier

Posted on 11/02/2009 6:51:21 AM PST by mondoreb

Lord Foppington


OF FOPS, FOOLS and ENTITLED ELITES
Keeping Congressional Districts & Senate Seats in the Family

From the ranks of the English and French upper classes and nobility came the “fops”. These over-dressed dandies were more concerned with style than substance. With almost 10% of Congress related to another person who’s “served”, are politicians the new nobility? Is the American political elite class the American fopocracy?


Are American political elites the new American 'fopocracy'? There's some evidence to think so. There's also gathering evidence that Americans are ready to show some of their members the door.

What is a 'fop'? We knew, in general, it was an over-dressed fool; but we consulted Wikipedia for a more exact definition. From Fop:

"The fop was a stock character in English literature and especially comic drama, as well as satirical prints.

He is a "man of fashion" who overdresses, aspires to wit,"

"and generally puts on airs, which may include aspiring to a higher social station than others think he has."

"He may be somewhat effeminate,"

"although this rarely affects his pursuit of an heiress."

"A fop is also referred to as a 'beau,' as in the Restoration comedies The Beaux' Stratagem (1707) by George Farquhar, The Beau Defeated (1700) by Mary Pix, or the real-life Beau Nash, Master of Ceremonies at Bath, or Regency celebrity, Beau Brummell. The sexual recklessness of "beau" may also bring intimations of homosexuality."

What class did the fops come from?

(Excerpt) Read more at deathby1000papercuts.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: congress; dynasties; fools; fops
While researching "fops", it struck me how much the definitions matched various members of Congress and the Senate. Hope you enjoy!
1 posted on 11/02/2009 6:51:23 AM PST by mondoreb
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To: mondoreb
when they’re used to the perks of “service”, they may lose touch with what it’s like to live in the real world.

Perhaps that’s why it’s so easy for Congress to vote for more taxes.

That is why term limits for congress must be a top priority.

2 posted on 11/02/2009 6:57:20 AM PST by YankeeReb
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To: YankeeReb

What ever happened to the enthusiasm for politicians for term limits. I know there was never a rush for them on the Dem side, but they seem like they just faded away....

I’m always dissing the “There ought to be a law” crowd, but that is one law that seems needed. Of course, a better educated electorate would be better, but seems further away the more time passes.


3 posted on 11/02/2009 7:04:44 AM PST by mondoreb (Proud to be "half-baked".)
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To: YankeeReb
We definitely have to change the way we choose our representatives. It does seem like they all come from the same pool of people. We have to start bringing up candidates from the grass roots level instead of the AstroTurf level.
4 posted on 11/02/2009 7:09:18 AM PST by peeps36 (Democrats Don't Need No Stinking Input From You Little People)
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To: mondoreb

Orrin Hatch’s collar-tie combination makes me think he’s a dandy, not a fop.


5 posted on 11/02/2009 7:41:38 AM PST by Oratam
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To: mondoreb

Enjoyable. Thanks mondoreb.


6 posted on 11/02/2009 7:50:22 AM PST by PGalt
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To: peeps36
We definitely have to change the way we choose our representatives

That, and taking away the main reason for running for office - those lush, COLA, taxpayer-funded retirements. The whole thrust in getting re-elected is to get vested in that sweet system. Replace with 401Ks. The current bunch would have to be grandfathered in, in order for them to throw the Newbies under the bus.

No way in Hell right now, but I suspect if some conservative came out for that, calling it the first step in breaking up this self-appointed nobility, I suspect he'd get quite a following. If nothing else, even just the discussion would scare the living Hell out of the current bunch. (Everyone I talk to about that approach light up like a bulb, only to fade and say "It'll never happen.") Let's give it at least a hearing.

It looks like the tide just might be turning, so now is the time to push it.

7 posted on 11/02/2009 7:51:33 AM PST by Oatka ("A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves." –Bertrand de Jouvenel)
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To: Oatka

Taking away the perks (retirement, etc) is good.
Cutting back and taking away the control over billions, trillions that the government doles out is good.
BOTH are great!


8 posted on 11/02/2009 8:23:36 AM PST by mondoreb (Proud to be "half-baked".)
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