Pandemic 2.0: Why the elites love the Russia-Ukraine war
If there’s one thing elites love, it’s being elite.
When millions of people were forced under lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were treated to videos of Hollywood celebrities consoling them. “We’re all in this together,” they said from their mansions.
Those who could still afford WiFi were regaled with video montages of movie stars singing “Imagine”.
Various Democratic politicians also violated their own lockdown mandates to take much-needed vacations, such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
When the lockdowns were lifted but the mask mandates hit, Hollywood celebrities again trotted out to lecture the peasantry on the importance of masks. “Wear a damn mask,” said Charlize Theron. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said he was “baffled” that some people thought it was a choice to cover their face.
The celebrities were joined by a chorus of overpaid TV anchors, politicians and media glitterati, who scolded anyone without a mask as they cavorted barefaced when the cameras were off.
And all the while, the rich got richer. Netflix’s market cap grew by nearly $100 billion. Dr. Anthony Fauci became the highest-paid federal employee, even more than Joe Biden. Amazon recorded record sales. Google’s profit more than doubled.
The COVID-19 pandemic deepened the divide between the haves and have-nots, the nobility and the peasantry, the classy and the classes, the superior and the inferior.
The best part was, the aristocracy was able to do it all righteously and piously, in the name of public health.
Now, as war between Russia and Ukraine helps Biden rocket gas prices to over $4 a gallon, the elites are positively giddy.
Late Night host Stephen Colbert, who is worth an estimated $75 million, reassured his audience on Monday that what they lose financially they will gain in virtue.
He also comforted them by letting them know that he, at least, can afford higher gas prices.
“Today, the average gas price in America hit an all-time record high of over $4/gallon,” said the TV host. “OK, that stings, but a clean conscience is worth a buck or two. It’s important. I’m willing to pay $4/gallon. Hell, I’ll pay $15 a gallon because I drive a Tesla.”
On Friday, former Star Trek star George Takei, who is worth an estimated $14 million, also lectured the masses that buying food is not as important as punishing Russia.
“Americans: We can endure higher prices for food and gas if it means putting the screws to Putin,” tweeted Takei piously. “Consider it a patriotic donation in the fight for freedom over tyranny.”
On Monday, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg offered a solution to those who are being impacted by the rising gas prices, which in some areas has reached over $7 a gallon: buy an electric car and help climate change.
Not surprisingly, CNN joined the call for financial sacrifice in the name of moral superiority.
CNN Business and Politics correspondent Vanessa Yurkevich assured viewers on Tuesday that people are fine paying more money just to take a stand in the Russia-Ukraine war.
“People we’ve spoken to over the last couple weeks, they’re okay with paying higher prices if it means holding Russia accountable for what they are doing in Ukraine,” said Yurkevich.
The Left also took to social media to assure people that taking a moral stance is worth rising prices.
“What I spend on coffee, brunch, lunch, drinks w/friends, nails etc. is probably 3x [what I pay for gas],” tweeted Occupy Democrats journalist Ty Ross. “It’s not the price of gas, it’s that people don’t want to make changes.”
“I’ll pay more for gas… for THIS angel,” wrote another user, who identified herself in her profile as a BLM supporter and Trump hater. The caption was placed above a photo of a small child holding the Ukrainian flag.
If there’s one thing elites love, it’s being elite.
