Stupid Sarah Palin

I’ve noticed in recent years how the term stupid has often been misused.  An acquaintance of mine referred to the excessive snowfall last year as stupid.  Another remarked that the traffic on the 405 is stupid.  It seems that stupid has become a euphemism for things we don’t like, but at the same time it’s coupled with the traditional definition --meaning unintelligent. 

I’m always leery of the term, especially in politics, because it’s been so improperly applied and ridiculously overused.  The Left seems to be the most prominent violator, labeling every Republican President in recent memory as stupid--Ford, Reagan, and both Bushes were all saddled with the derogatory term.  I can only guess that in some cases they are referring to someone they don’t agree with and at other times one that lacks intelligence.   Since the new definition is subjective let’s just stick to the old one--lacking intelligence.

One of the smartest President’s ever was Bill Clinton.  Not only was he a member of the Ivy League, but he also excelled, becoming a Rhode Scholar and studying at Oxford.  The problem is that during his administration he sometimes prioritized his political wellbeing over the need to make smart decisions for the government he was presiding over.  Throwing softballs at Al Qaeda and paving the way for Chinese economic superiority aren’t what most people would consider smart.  In hindsight, they appear to be downright stupid.

The current President is also considered to be someone with a rather limber mind.  He’s practiced law, authored books, has an incredible gift for oratory, and he’s reached the apex of politics in a relatively short amount of time.  When he took office in 2009 he had more power in congress than any other President in my lifetime.  Perhaps more power than anyone since Roosevelt and a 70% job approval rating, to boot.  Now look at the shape his party’s in:  They lost the House, barely control the Senate, they’ve relinquished their majority of governorships, and the GOP now has more control over state legislatures since the election of 1928.  And, oh yeah, his ratings are in the 30’s.  Is this what the esoteric class considers intelligible achievement? 

Now comes the uncertainty about Palin’s political future.  Will she run?  Will she win the nomination?  Is she the right choice for her party?  These are the same questions that surrounded Obama several years ago.  Many thought that supporting Obama over Clinton in the primary was the smart vote.  The fact is that Obama’s support led to the reign of Speaker Boehner.  So, at the end of the day, how smart was that vote for Obama?  Or a better interrogative:  How stupid?  With continued high unemployment and a swelling budget deficit, could Hillary Clinton have done any worse?  Could Sarah Palin have done any worse?  Hell, could my 11 year-old niece have done any worse?  If this is what happens when smart people elect the smart candidate then sign me up for stupid.

Since many on the Left worship at the altar of education they don’t understand the appeal of stupid Sarah Palin.  Why after all, if you’re not smart then what else is there?  Well, there’s a lot.  People view her as real.  She reminds people of themselves.  My freakish Hollywood landlord loves her.  I admit.  I sometimes cringe at her apparent lack of knowledge but she’s no phony.  I have real doubts about the discernment abilities of those that consider her some kind of counterfeit.  I wonder if they really know what constitutes real people.  Beyond that she’s got character.  The ethics violations we heard so much about at one time were largely dismissed.  She’s a product of the Alaska wilderness that loves her family and her country.  She supports candidates she believes in regardless of the political climate.  Furthermore, she’s come under scrutiny by both sides of the political spectrum.  If that doesn’t make for a bonafide anti-establishment candidate then I don’t know what does.  And that’s exactly what this country is screaming for.  So, if you’ve jumped on the Trent Lott/Arianna Huffington bandwagon that loves to ridicule Palin then maybe you need to do some soul searching and figure out where you really stand.  Speaking of the soul, isn’t it refreshing to have someone who firmly knows who they are religiously, as opposed to the spiritual ambiguity of the current occupant of the White House?  “Know thyself” seems to ring true with her across the board.

Her greatest quality is that she gets results.  She may be regarded as stupid by the scoffers but she gave McCain the only real shot he had at winning the presidency and during the recent mid terms she garnered wins in 70% of the races she engaged in.  She made things happen in Alaska and she could very well make things happen for this extremely distraught nation if she’s given the opportunity.

I guess my point is this.  Just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you make smart decisions and just because you’re stupid doesn’t mean you make stupid decisions.  Leadership isn’t a trivia contest it’s about making wise choices that lead to positive results.  The problem in Washington isn’t a lack of knowledge or intelligence--it’s a lack of character, self-sacrifice, and healthy reform.  The next time someone talks about stupid Sarah Palin remember all the smart people that said the levies in New Orleans would hold and the twin towers in NYC wouldn’t fall.  You tell me what this country needs:  Pseudo smarts or genuine success?