Message to The Kids: Don't be Too Smart, You May Not Be President!

Our President to be (am I going out on a limb here?) is having to live down perhaps one of his greatest accomplishments ever; the attainment of higher education despite the odds. Obama is a highly educated individual. Graduate of both Harvard and Columbia Universities, a professor at one of our most prolific academic institutions, The University of Chicago.



What should be considered great accomishments to all Americans, Obama is having to explain away in a sense. Given the denomer of "elitist" and "intellectual", Barack's education and smarts are hindering him.



It makes me question: is mediocrity or being "normal" a qualification for the presidency? Is being "more like us" a must in pursuing the highest office in the land?



Consider that in just about every other field of human endeavour, we not only expect but congratulate and bolster those who have higher levels of thought process. Doctors aren't expected to be "more like us". We require that they are smarter, more intellectual, more keen and astute. Besides these are the people responsible for our lives, our childrens lives, our parents lives. Teachers aren't expected to be "more like us". We expect them to be brighter, able to influence children with their profound intellect, well versed and a example of what our children should be and more importantly what our educational system delivers. Even our professional athletes take aptitude and intellectual exams before being drafted; score poorly and your draft value and subsequent pay drop.



So why is it necessary that our President be more normal, more like us? We expect the President to make the most important decisions. Decisions that effect the not just America but the World (see economic crisis). Why do we want this person to be an average Joe? It bothers me to think that we must settle for less than the best in an effort to appease those who are uncomfortable with Barack's educational attainment.



From as far as I can remember, I've always been told that you can do anything if you acquire higher level education. Are we today telling our children that if you get good grades, go to Columbia, go to Harvard . . . you can do everything . . . except be looked at as a legitimate candidate for the Presidency.



Smart people and smart leaders are smart not because they are the smartest persons amongst their group or organization. But because they were smart enough to go out and get the smartest people (sometimes and in a lot of cases smarter than them even) to be a part of their group or organization. If education is something we as American's cherish and feel is the cornerstone of our growth as the most powerful nation on Earth, then why are we making slight of Obama's educational attainment.



So, this is a warning to the children out there pursuing good grades and hoping to become the first black, female, Hispanic-American or Asian-American president of these United States: Do well . . .but don't do too well, it may come back to haunt you on election day.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]