Yes, that's true, James. Doubtless there are many good men and true up in New England. Up in Northern Vermont, for example, drove by a guys' house with an American flag and a sign in his front yard that said, "Take Vermont Back." And I am sure there are many brave military people serving from New England. The death of noblesse oblige on the part of the elites is a national tragedy that is not confined to just one area of the country.

But... it could even be argued that oblesse oblige has not died, it is in fact a long-standing American tradition. Graveyards around the world are filled with young Americans who gave their lives that others might be free. It doesn't get any more "noblesse" than that. The whole concept of "giving back" is uniquely American. We've been so blessed that we want to share our good fortune with the less fortunate, in the practice often misguidedly and usually to our own disadvantage.