We have come to revere Education for Education`s sake.   This has resulted in disdain for the less educated.   Essentially, a caste system has devloped along the lines of Education :

1. PhD, MD, LLD, etc
2. Masters
3. Bachelors
4. Technical
5. High School
6. Drop-out

And within the collegiate strata there are the sub-strata of alma-maters:

1. Ivy League
2. Private Universities
3. State Universities
4. Colleges

With the emphasis on Education and its impact on the individual`s status in society the reverence toward Intellectuals has grown.   The reality, though, is that most people who consider themselves Intellectual never have experienced an independent thought.   They merely subscribe to the Philosophy of a `real` Intellectual.   

There are some harsh realities that have been obscured by the elevation of Intellectuals to honor and leadership roles:

• Freedom was bought with the price of blood
• Houses, buildings and cities are built with labor
• The Economy runs on production, delivery and consumption
• Civilization works on good will, a sense of community and law/order
• Inventions and art are the results of making ideas reality

It`s time we return to honoring those who actually provide the products and services to us more than those who simply test well and have devloped a knack for talking.   There will always be a place for Intellectuals - just not at the top.