"Is [the morons in the previous generation letting you] how the previous generation became successful?" More or less, yes. Some people, by luck or otherwise,

"Is [the morons in the previous generation letting you] how the previous generation became successful?" More or less, yes. Some people, by luck or otherwise, end up moving up the food chain; others down. But one's parents' social class is a strong predictor of one's own social class.