Seriously. This is supposed to be a representative government, right? So why is it, then, that only a certain miniscule demographic of professional politicians can be considered for the highest office in the land? Reagan was a sock puppet, but if he had had an ounce of integrity or two brain cells to rub together, he would have been a great president: A normal guy who graduated from Illinois State (or whatever), worked his way up in the world, and happened to be marvelously endowed with charisma. Who could possibly be more representative?
So if Reagan could be president, why not Sean Penn? Why the hell not?
Are you a professional politician? Is anyone you know a seasoned political pro? For me personally, the answer is no, as it would be for most people. So how can people who live their entire lives in a little bubble which the vast majority of us never come close to penetrating possibly represent us? I know a few actors. I know a lot of teachers, cops, carpenters, businessfolk, attorneys. A truly representative government would include people from all walks of life, not just lawyers. Not that we should disinclude lawyers -- I would argue that they should make up a majority of the legislature since that's where laws are written. John Edwards seems like a decent enough guy, and there are a few others. No offense intended to lawyers.
But the president doesn't write laws. He just gives them a thumbs up or a thumbs down. You don't need to be an attorney to do that.
An actor could make a great president, especially a good actor. A good actor plays a wide variety of roles and, thus, would be expected over the course of researching those roles to have developed some empathy and sympathy for the everyday people who live similar lives. Sean Penn has played cops, criminals, poets, rich guys, poor guys, at least one soldier -- and those are just the roles I can think of off the top of my head. He's played all those roles well. He would be a great representative in the generic sense.
Sean Penn is also a really, really smart guy, a well spoken straight shooter. He's traveled all over the world. He's been to Iraq without the benefit of a military escort. Why the hell should he be considered less qualified to represent us than some pampered Senator?
What we have done -- and I see it here on DKos, sadly -- is created an elite political class, and that's not what the founders had in mind. Whatever happened to government by, of, and for the people? Sorry, Abe, it seems to have been replaced by a de facto monarchy. Only those with the proper credentials and experience need apply. Damn the people. What do they know?
Any other commoners out there sick of being treated this way? Call me nuts, but for once, I want somebody who can represent me to represent me instead of some pampered politico who wouldn't know how to handle a socket wrench if it whacked him in the nuts.
Be it so resolved, if it hasn't been already, that hereby officially begins a grass roots campaign to draft Sean Penn for president. It might not be all that effective since this diary will undoubtedly sink into the murky depths like all my others, but there it is.