Elitism

Ask yourself: how has "elitism" become a bad word in American politics? There is simply no other walk of life in which extraordinary talent and rigorous training are denigrated. We want elite pilots to fly our planes, elite troops to undertake our most critical missions, elite athletes to represent us in competition and elite scientists to devote the most productive years of their lives to curing our diseases. But when it comes to choosing the people whose thoughts and actions will decide the fates of millions, we suddenly want someone just like us, someone fit to have a beer with, someone down-to-earth – in fact, almost anyone, provided that he or she doesn't seem too intelligent or well educated.

The problem, as far as our political process is concerned, is that half the electorate revels in Sarah Palin's lack of intellectual qualifications. When it comes to politics, there is a mad love of mediocrity in this country. "They think they're better than you!" is the refrain that (highly competent and cynical) Republican strategists have set loose among the crowd, and the crowd has grown drunk on it once again. "Sarah Palin is an ordinary person!" Yes, all too ordinary.

We have all now witnessed apparently sentient human beings saying things like, "I'm voting for Sarah because she's a mom. She knows what it's like to be a mom." Such sentiments suggest an uncanny detachment from the real problems of today. The next administration must immediately confront issues like nuclear proliferation, ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (and covert wars elsewhere), global climate change, a convulsing economy, Russian belligerence, the rise of China, emerging epidemics, Islamic radicalism on a hundred fronts, a defunct United Nations, the deterioration of American schools, failures of energy, infrastructure and Internet security … the list is long, and Sarah Palin does not seem competent even to rank these items in order of importance, much less address any one of them.

Why are people so excited about "folksy people" in government? We're talking about the presidency of the United States here! Do you really want someone who is an "average joe six-pack" to be in that position? We've had that for the last eight years, and look where it's gotten us: budget deficits, increased spending, economic downturn, and horrible foreign policy (even countries that were once staunch allies now look at us with distrust and disdain).

The President of the United States of America should not be an average person. I want him (or her) to be intellectually superior. I want him to have excellent judgment, and be incredibly insightful. He should be a strong leader; one who inspires those around him to new levels of greatness; inspires them to do better things than even they ever thought they could. The president should not be someone who is quick to anger, and who changes his political leanings to suit the mood of his party (see: John McCain). The president should not be someone who is petty and vindictive, and who will use his power to settle personal scores (see: Sarah Palin).

As always, John Stewart says it best. Fast forward to time index 7:10 on the following video.