I think the terms in which you use the word is as important as the word itself. If you use it to describe a US branch of the military, then it wouldn’t offend anyone except our enemies. = ) Now when you have someone running for the highest office in the country portraying himself as an individual who can identify with the “average” American, the term “elite” and “average” are not very synonymous with each other. The first word I think of when I hear elite is, above the rest. I would consider that “elitism” is a mind state as well. Hypothetically, 2 individuals could have the same education, upbringing, and be financially well off. However, 1 could have a viewpoint from the super rich and wealthy prospective, that I have mine and you get yours any way you can with out help. The other could have a prospective that some people in this world really do need help, and share the concerns of the more common man.
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS