Meritocracy and Political Discourse

The conversation emphasizes the belief in a pure meritocracy within American society, where jobs and positions are earned purely based on individual performance rather than identity factors like race or sexual orientation. This ideal was critiqued through references to historical quotes about governance by the average citizen versus the elite. The discussion further addresses the discomfort with past conservatism, emphasizing that an over-reliance on prestigious educational backgrounds may blind one to the realities of everyday governance. The speakers express skepticism about the feasibility of true meritocracy, questioning whether qualifications alone can ensure competent governance without societal biases.