Let's Try the Smart Ones

Here's a column by Sam Harris that seems to make sense. Money quote:

Americans have an unhealthy desire to see average people promoted to positions of great authority. ... Let me put it plainly: If you want someone just like you to be president of the United States, or even vice president, you deserve whatever dysfunctional society you get.

Personally I want the smartest president we can find. That skinny black guy seems pretty sharp, I must say, and so does his VP pick, although he does go on a bit. Do I want someone just like me to run the country? I should say not. I'm reasonably alert myself, to be honest, and it's still all I can do to run my own life, much less everyone else's. I want people with fancy degrees and policy expertise. We've tried an average guy and honestly, it hasn't worked out.