LEE KRAMER'S ROOM: With Views

[janice shell]

Thanks. I think I agree and disagree with Dowd. I don't really believe most Dems--even the ones who're actually in politics--are "woke". I've never even used the word seriously. Nor have I ever used "Latin-x". What's the "x" for, and why is it necessary? And I've long felt "LBGT" has acquired too many unnecessary extra letters. Now Google suggests we use LGBTQIA+.

LGBTQIA+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. The plus sign (+) represents other sexual orientations and gender identities that are not included in the acronym.

The acronym is an umbrella term that is often used to refer to the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole. It is important for recognizing and respecting diverse identities, and for fostering inclusion, connection, and a sense of identity.

You know what I think? I think that's silly. Do we really need to know all about the sexual orientation of everyone we meet? And while we're on the subject, I'm also tired of "intersectionality".

And I'm not really convinced by the "elitist" argument. What do the people who complain about those elitists mean by the term? Do they wish they had a Ph.D? I very much doubt that; I can in fact assure anyone interested that it doesn't really do one much good. I DO think what they mean is that "elitists" are rich. Their complaint is really about the economy. And so we're back to James Carville.

People have felt this way for a long time. I remember that back in the '80s there was a popular (though not immortal) song that explained resentment of the "U.M.C.", or Upper Middle Class. And I actually managed to find it:

https://www.streetdirectory.com/lyricadvisor/song/cwjlup/umcupper_middle_class/

It begins:

I wanna be a lawyer
Doctor or professor
A member of the UMC

These days--seems the song was written in 1976--that may be true of a lawyer, if he or she is successful, but it no longer applies to doctors, most of whom don't make all that much thanks to the crippling costs of malpractice insurance. And as for professors, they weren't "UMC" back then, and aren't now, unless they also make money doing something else.