The world is run by ‘C’ students.
2
—Al McGuire
3
Decisions are made by people who have time, not people who have talent.
—Scott Adams, 2011
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
—Aesop
4
Under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is
rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.
—Ambrose Bierce, 1906
I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This
makes me forever ineligible to any public office.
—H. L. Mencken, 1946
***
There is a tragic flaw in our precious Constitution, and I don’t know what can be done to fix
it. This is it: Only nut cases want to be president.
—Kurt Vonnegut, 2004
Anybody that wants the presidency so much that he’ll spend two years organizing and
campaigning for it is not to be trusted with the office.
—David S. Broder, 1973
5
When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. I’m beginning to
believe it.
—Clarence Darrow, 1941
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at
last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
—H. L. Mencken, 1920
6
***
There are men, in all ages, who […] mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They
promise to be kind masters, but they mean to be masters.
—Daniel Webster, 1837
2
If you have any doubt, just watch the news—or apply for a research grant.
3
As quoted, without a date, in several collections, starting not later than 1987.
4
As quoted, without a date, in major collections of his fables.
5
A later (circa 2005) paraphrase of this maxim by Douglas Adams is quoted even more frequently.
6
Note the date. If written today, the verbs’ tense might be different….
164
On Government and Politics
2
—Al McGuire
3
Decisions are made by people who have time, not people who have talent.
—Scott Adams, 2011
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
—Aesop
4
Under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is
rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.
—Ambrose Bierce, 1906
I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This
makes me forever ineligible to any public office.
—H. L. Mencken, 1946
***
There is a tragic flaw in our precious Constitution, and I don’t know what can be done to fix
it. This is it: Only nut cases want to be president.
—Kurt Vonnegut, 2004
Anybody that wants the presidency so much that he’ll spend two years organizing and
campaigning for it is not to be trusted with the office.
—David S. Broder, 1973
5
When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. I’m beginning to
believe it.
—Clarence Darrow, 1941
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at
last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
—H. L. Mencken, 1920
6
***
There are men, in all ages, who […] mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They
promise to be kind masters, but they mean to be masters.
—Daniel Webster, 1837
2
If you have any doubt, just watch the news—or apply for a research grant.
3
As quoted, without a date, in several collections, starting not later than 1987.
4
As quoted, without a date, in major collections of his fables.
5
A later (circa 2005) paraphrase of this maxim by Douglas Adams is quoted even more frequently.
6
Note the date. If written today, the verbs’ tense might be different….
164
On Government and Politics