“Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”
- Douglas Adams
Is my commentary really even necessary for this one? This quote is so beautiful, concise and true, I have nothing to add but a few reflections.
I think of all of the many presidents this country has had, and I think about their “qualifications.” I think that by the time you arrive in a position of being capable of becoming the president you are no longer in the same tax bracket, education bracket, social bracket or any other bracket as those who you are to represent as president.
When will [Bret Peters], my neighbor, make it to the ballot? How about my favorite high school teacher, [Mr. Williams]? Sure, we could all write in the same name and elect a president that should be allowed to do the job, but how could such a feat ever conquer the millions of dollars the official candidates spend each election for campaigning and how could we all agree on the same person?
A qualified person could never be elected, then, because if they have the money and political status necessary to win under our current system they are, by default, unqualified (out of touch); and a single qualified candidate could never be decided upon by the whole populous. Obviously, if a humble (in touch) rich person with no serious time in politics who has not lost touch with his (or her) roots could be located and convinced to run for the presidential office, perhaps they could campaign with the rest of them and get elected. I have to ask myself though, would the election process be enough to corrupt them and maintain the veracity of these words from Mr. Adams?
Perhaps, but we shall never know for sure.
