The National Divide

For John, BLUF:  There are arenas where the likes of us will never play.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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'Front Row Kids' and values have taken over our courts: Glenn Reynolds

Here is the sub-headline:

The problem is not just that Back Row America’s values won’t be considered — it’s that the Supreme Court may not even realize it’s ignoring them.

From USA Today, for 23 October 2016, by Law Professor Glenn Harlan Reynolds.

In the wake of the 2016 presidential election, we heard a lot about America’s division into two mutually hostile camps:  A largely coastal, urban party run by educated elites, and a largely rural and suburban “Flyover Country” party composed of people who did not attend elite schools and who do not see themselves as dependent on those who do.  This divide is more fundamental than mere partisan identification, as there are Democrats and Republicans in both groups.

One of the best formulations of this division comes from photographer Chris Arnade, who has spent years documenting the lives of America’s forgotten classes.  In his characterization, America is split between the “Front Row Kids,” who did well in school, moved to managerial or financial or political jobs and see themselves as the natural rulers of their fellow citizens, and the “Back Row Kids,” who placed less emphasis on school and who resent the pretensions and bossiness of the Front Row Kids.

While teaching constitutional law after the election, it occurred to me that while the Back Row Kids can elect whomever they want as president, senators or representatives, there is one branch of the federal government (and all state governments) that is, more or less by its nature, limited to Front Row Kids: the judiciary.

Speaking of "check your privilege".  There are levels of elitism in the Law.  West Coast Law Grads need not apply for East Coast jobs, including in DC.  There are exceptions, but, as the French would say, "The exception that proves the rule."  Even amongst East Coast Law School Graduates, there is a hierarchy.  Look at which schools produce the membership of SCOTUS.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff