He Seems Presidential

I watched some of the presidential debate last night, interested in what the candidates might say and how they would respond to questions from the American people.  I agreed and disagreed with both men on different counts. And somewhere in the midst of the political wrangling, I found myself wishing career politicians weren’t running our country but that we were in the hands of tested businessmen instead. Men possessing knowledge about what it means to balance a budget, an ability to make things efficient and effective, and creative thinking skills.

I became even more disturbed by the voters’ responses to the candidates.  For instance, take this conversation between a reporter and a debate attendee:

“Did you know who you would vote for before tonight’s debate?”

“No.”

“So what are your thoughts after hearing from both candidates?”

“I am leaning toward Barack Obama because he just seems more presidential.”

 

WHAT?!  Seems presidential!  Since when did having the appearance of a president become a criteria?  Someone who drives a Lexus and wears expensive suits may have the appearance of being successful…or he might be in debt up to his eyeballs! And the guy next door driving a beat-up pickup truck and cowboy boots may be sitting on millions.  Success is not determined by appearance.  The true test of the next United States president is not how he presents in front of the TV cameras but rather what he presents.  Consider this statement:

 

“A human group transforms itself into a crowd when it suddenly responds to a suggestion rather than to reasoning, to an image rather than to an idea, to an affirmation rather than to proof, to the repetition of a phrase rather than to arguments, to prestige rather than to competence.”

 

This quote by French philosopher and politician Jean-Francois Revel was not in reference to Barack Obama, John McCain or the United States but to humanity in general.  He was part of the French resistance movement in WWII and saw the adoring crowds in the 1930s and 40s swooning for their fuehrer, Adolph Hitler.  In hindsight we look back on these people with pity, knowing what would become of idolizing a man who would save them from severe economic times.

 

Are we becoming a dumb country?  Are we losing our ability to think critically?  Do we believe everything we hear or base our opinions only on appearance?  Are we only looking for the one who can tickle our ears?  Do we think only of the short-term relief and ignore the long-term ramifications?  Have we become lulled to sleep and find it too cumbersome to ask questions that go beneath the veneer? I hope not – we can do better than that.

 

Here are a few things we can do to keep our critical thinking sharp:

 

#1 Read – reading helps us develop a knowledge base to draw from as we interact with ideas.  Don’t just read those with whom you agree but interact with opposing viewpoints.  I recommend the Bible, What’s So Great About America by Dinesh D’souza, Understanding the Times by David Noebel, The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman, The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford and Ideas Have Consequences by Richard Weaver as great books to get you started.

 

#2 Ask Questions – get beneath the rhetoric by asking probing questions like: “What are the short and long term ramifications of these ideas?”, “What worldview is driving this?” or, “What does this idea look like taken to its end?”.  As we ask questions we begin to get at the underlying issues and past phrases and clichés.

 

#3 Dialogue – get yourself around people who think critically and talk with them.  As you listen and talk about different perspectives you will learn to dissect and interact with ideas more quickly and with greater insight.

 

The principles of democracy, free markets and individual equality were not pulled out of a hat. They were wrestled through and driven by principles -- principles for which thousands have died.  Let’s not throw away intellectual wrestling and debate simply because someone “seems presidential.”

Comments

[cait]

so true! one of my friends told me a few weeks ago that she was going to vote for Barack Obama because "at least he looks like he knows what he's doing." it just concerns me that so many people I know--Christians who I've either grown up with or gone to school with--aren't thinking about the issues but are instead turning it into a popularity contest.

[Colin O'Bryant]

I love the observations and advise Aaron! I saw that conversation after the debate, and I distinctly recall thinking how messed up the logic behind the "seems presidential" statement was. How ironic that we have greater access to information than at any time in history, and the potential for self-education is seemingly unlimited, but our people are the least educated they've ever been.

Just yesterday I was talking to a friend about the election and in particular this "Acorn" group that has been notorious for rounding up shady characters with felony convictions, homeless people, among others to register them to vote. Acorn is being investigated in several states for illegal voter registrations and fraud. (It also just happens that probably 99% of the people they register end up voting democratic.) In regards to that group and the basic political ignorance we see all around us during election season I couldn't help but say to my friend "There should be mandatory literacy tests for voters." I kind of caught myself on that one...I'm pretty sure that's a trick they used to employ to keep former slaves from voting after the Civil War. I don't think I want to take that approach.

In Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" the Mob is one of the central characters. The Roman general public is repeatedly shown to be uneducated, overly emotional, prone to riot and able to be pacified with simple mind-numbing entertainment. I suppose not too much has changed in 2000 years.

One thing we've got to accept about democracy is that it is going to be messy and slow and in many ways sub-optimal. Millions of people with little insight will vote and choose our leaders. However, it is the very fact that everyone gets a say which makes democracy so special. China is able to make very drastic and quick moves because of their autocratic style. But who wants that when it so often requires trampling on the basic freedoms for individuals that we cherish?

God bless America and our ridiculous elections...and in the meantime I hope a lot of people read your post and take the advise!

[Ryan]

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
-Benjamin Franklin

“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never can be.” - Thomas Jefferson

[Katie]

Another great post.

Unfortuntely, the more I look and listen to both candidates, the more I dislike them both. I feel like this election I am forced to vote for the one I think will do the least amount of damage.

[Mocha Dad]

I like the section on critical thinking. I wish more people would take your advice.

[Carol Prentiss]

Hey great blog Aaron. I think people are so busy today that they don't have time to research, they want quick answers, and when they aren't busy, they want to be entertained, even by presidential candidates unfortunately. They may pick someone just if they sound good and look good, and not even look at decisions the candidate has made in the past.

[Thea]

Great blog - there are so many half truths anymore. We could use a good dose of "homework" on a variety of topics but thanks for getting people thinking.