If we the people need coercive paternalism...

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Wednesday, April 10. 2013

If we the people need coercive paternalism...

Powerline: The Philosopher king for the nanny state

If we the people need coercive paternalism because we're too dumb to pick our own food, then surely we are too dumb to be allowed to select our governmental representation. Therefore, I propose myself as Philosopher King. Why not me? I did study Plato in college. He invented an ideal, all-wise and altruistic totalitarianism. First thing I would do in the job would be to eliminate the position and fire myself, which is what my philosophy would require.

Well, that's what I would do if I did not happen to enjoy the power and perqs too much...

Point is, I think Bowdoin Prof. Sarah Conly is insane in the (probably) non-clinical sense. After all, is she exempt from bad choices herself? Who are the ubermenschen? Professors? God forbid.

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 17:49 | Comments (7) | Trackbacks (0)

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Philosopher Kings. So hard to come by. And when you find one, he's wise enough not to take the job.

#1 T.K. Tortch on 2013-04-10 19:11 (Reply)

nonsense. I hold a secret commission from the NWO as General Manager of North America, for when the hammer comes down. but don't worry, you'll be taken care of. you're on the List.

#1.1 wirraway on 2013-04-10 19:21 (Reply)

It was Thomas Jefferson - if I recall correctly - who wrote, "It is said that man are incapable of governing themselves. Have then angels been found in the form of kings to rule over them?"

And I think it was Daniel Webster who said, "There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."

Once more, for D. Webster: "Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions."

#2 Ike on 2013-04-10 22:15 (Reply)

"surely we are too dumb to be allowed to select our governmental representation."

The answer is obvious yes, isn't it? Electing Obama TWICE!

And New Yorkers must really need that governmental nanny - electing Bloomberg, even after he, by law, wasn't suppose to be able to run again.

#3 Charles on 2013-04-10 22:18 (Reply)

One more Eastern college my grandchildren won't be attending if they want any help from me.

Which leads me to ask, are their any law schools beyond Harvard that the incestuous leadership of our nation attended? And Yale and the U. of Chgo don't count.

Frankly, I would feel a tad more comfortable about the future if the SCOTUS membership represented a few Midwestern or Southern schools and the administration's czars and other appointees came from businesses other than Goldman Sachs. Yah know, d-i-v-e-r-s-i-t-y?

#4 jma on 2013-04-10 22:45 (Reply)

Sadly, the reason why the feelings of "doing good" when the results are not conclusive nor much cogitated yields much horrible thinking for those who cogitate.

Only.

(Please note https://cumulus.hillsdale.edu/Buckley/ has been updated and is something to see)

#5 notquiteunBuckley (Link) on 2013-04-11 00:27 (Reply)

"After all, is she exempt from bad choices herself? Who are the ubermenschen? Professors? God forbid."

Worse this is a demonstration of a complete lack of critical thinking or logic.

Just a bit of true thought, would bring for the situation where someone the professor detested was making the "good" choices for people. Say the next Dick Cheney?

Given that very real and probable possibility, wouldn't the safer course be to not have a boss of everybody?

Now here is where the STEM types prevail. They must consider the possible failure vectors in their work. They must evaluate the risks of establishing a system to the takeover by the real but undesirable force.

#6 JKB on 2013-04-11 12:11 (Reply)

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Wednesday, April 10. 2013

If we the people need coercive paternalism...