A question of leadership

[unixronin]

Let us skip, for the moment, long arguments about what form of government is best, and consider Robert Anson Heinlein's assertion (via Lazarus Long) that democracy is doomed to fail once its citizens realize they have the power to vote themselves bread and circuses, and that possibly the best and most stable form of government is a benevolent dictatorship.

I will emphasize at this point that this is not a debate on whether he was right.  If you disagree with the assertion, feel free to skip the discussion entirely if you wish, but please don't diverge into arguments about why it's wrong.

The point here is quite simple:  Assume for the moment that Heinlein's, or Long's, assertion is correct.  That stipulated, and under that condition, what I solicit is your opinion as to who might make a good Supreme Leader, and more importantly, why.

Conditions:

• Your candidate may not be fictional.
• Your candidate must be currently alive.
• Your candidate need not be a current public figure.

Beyond those ground rules, it's wide open.  Go for it.

Comments

Benny "Dick" Tater

[zeekar.livejournal.com]

Hm. This is a tough call. Definitely not Clinton, though. That sort of wrongheadedness is why we need a dictator in the first place! :)

In all seriousness, I think Jon Stewart would do a good job. Yeah, he's a professional funnyman. And he's got professional writers helping him at it. But from what I've read about him, and assuming things like the 'Tucker Carlson is a dick' appearance aren't totally bogus setups, he's much more reasonable about most issues than just about anyone you see on TV (who tend to be extremists one way or the other). In fact, one of the funniest moments on his show was when he suggested taking to the streets and shouting "Just Be Reasonable!!"

Well, that won't work, so let's just put him in charge and let him make us be reasoanble. :)

I'd take McCain as a fallback, though.

Re: Benny "Dick" Tater

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I must admit I've never considered a professional comedian for the post. I suppose it would bring some levity to government. :)

I'm minded of Wavy Gravy's campaign in Berserkeley: "Why not vote for a REAL clown for a change?"