More on Peggy Noonan - Is it really that bleak?

As I have thought about the issues raised by Peggy Noonan in the previous post I am not sure I can agree with the full impact of the statement. Sure, some or even most elites have done what Noonan suggests. But there are some really important counter examples of elites that have taken their social responsibilities seriously. USC in the last decade has shown a continuous and deep commitment to the neighborhood where the University is located. They do thousands of hours of community service. They have adopted five local schools and are conscientiously working on improvements in those schools. They are doing all sorts of experiental learning bringing students into areas like tutoring or health and dental care to helping students think about building community institutions. And that example is replicated in a number of other colleges and universities as close as the Mount St. Mary's Doheny Campus, or a long list of others around the state.

The more important question raised about Noonan's commentary is OK - so the elites (or a significant subgroup) have given up in their normal role. So how do we change that situation? That should be the real question.