9.11.2008

Penn Jillette on CNN

Penn wrote a commentary on CNN's politics website, and it's worth a quick read. It's called "Last thing we need now is a great leader," and in it, Penn uses his trademark humor to nail down a major problem with politics today, and what most people seem to be looking for in a president.
I don't want anyone as president who promises to take care of me. I may be stupid, but I want a chance to try to be a grown-up and take care of my family. Freedom means the freedom to be stupid, and that's what I want. I don't want anyone to feel my pain or tell me to ask what we can do for our country, or give us all money and take care of us. ...

Our first seven presidents averaged a bit more than three public speeches a year, and they didn't promise jobs for everyone, day care, dental exams and free stuff.

It's really hard to find someone who trusts Americans to take care of themselves and each other without government force. It's hard to find someone running for president who would be content to be what George Washington humbly called the "chief magistrate."
This is why the best I can hope for from Washington D.C. is that there is massive gridlock, and they get nothing done. I mentioned that to a co-worker the other day, and she said "Oh! That's such a cynical attitude!" I replied that it wasn't just negativity or pessimism, but that virtually every action taken by the federal government just leads us further down the path of full statism, and that gridlock in Washington is just about the only thing slowing it down right now. That argument had no impact on her, however, because she seems to believe fully in the progressive ideal of an active government "making our lives better." (whether we like it or not)

Penn finishes up his commentary, coming to the same conclusion many Objectivists have; namely, that abstaining from voting is the way to go this November.
The choice shouldn't be which lesser of two evils should have the enormous power of our modern presidents. The question should be, who would do less as president? Who would leave us alone?

If we could find a lazier, less charismatic, stupider person than me to be president, I'd be all for it. But, it's not going to be easy; stupider than me is rare breed.

So remember, the only way to waste your vote is to vote! [bold added]


{HT: RoR Forum}


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