Penn Jillette's commentary on a smarter President

[IDrinkaRum]

Why should we have a smart President?

I have no clue if Penn is writing this with his tongue firmly in his cheek (I suspect it is), but it is amusing to read!

[Boozy]

He's trying to be funny when he says we need a stupid president, but most of the opinions expressed are his own. He's a libertarian. That's why the internet likes him.

He's not much of a writer. I think he should stick to TV.

[IDrinkaRum]

D'oh! I forgot that he's a libertarian.

And you're right. He does need to stick to television. I love Penn & Teller's Bu!!sh!t show.

[DesignFox]

but he does have a point Boozy. At what point do we, as Americans, stop depending solely on our government to baby us through life, and take up some responsibility for ourselves?

[IDrinkaRum]

DesignFox! For shame on you. Why should I use my perfectly good brain to think and do things for myself if I can have someone do it for me? Someone I specifically authorized with my vote? (sarcasm)

I did enjoy Penn's commentary. And he is right. We really don't need a larger government to tell us what to do, where to go, what to wear, how to think, give us our special kool-aid. But that's just me.

However, no matter which party we elect, they're going to do something to keep us tied to them. We might need a revolution or a coup or a great cry of our people to get new blood and new ideas into the government.

[Slytovhand]

I read it as being a 'dumb' president is less likely to think they can get away with things that a 'smart' president may think they can manipulate people with.

I figure he's associating 'brains' with 'ill intent'.

Also - a 'dumb' president is more likely to listen to those around him, either other politicians, or maybe just maybe, the people. A 'smart' president doesn't need to bother to listen to those pesky constituent people... he's smart enough to be able to make all the decisions himself.

Vote 1 Anarchy!

[AFPheonix]

Much like horses, there's good smart and dumb, and bad smart and dumb.
A good smart horse is the kind you can take out on a difficult trail and it's going to get you through it safely. A bad smart horse is the kind that figures out it's smarter than you and proceeds to abuse that knowledge by pulling a lot of crap.
A good dumb horse may take awhile to train because it doesn't get concepts readily, but once it has them down, they're there for life and it turns out to be a good kid's horse because it's too stupid to come up with naughty things to try. A bad dumb horse does profoundly dangerous stuff with a lack of concern to its well-being or yours.
Bush is a bad dumb.