He Completes Us

Given the comparative strength of the Democratic ticket, this Presidential election, now, more than ever, we need the Daily Show.



The one really clear and obvious advantage that Barack Obama and Joe Biden have over John McCain and Sarah Palin is that the Democratic contenders are far smarter than their Republican counterparts. I don't agree with many of Barack Obama's policy positions. But this advantage should not be underestimated, for good or for ill. And if John McCain and the Republican party are going to fall down on the job honestly debating and engaging The One, as they so clearly have this election season, then maybe John Stewart can give it a shot.

Smart people have one tendency more than any other that is concerning: they think they know it all.

Takes an arrogant know-it-all to know one. John Stewart knows that feeling. I do too. We all need someone to check our inner know-it-all.

Smart people are also just as likely, if not more likely, to abuse power and to avoid responsibility when their use of power is ineffective or badly used. Hitler and Stalin were pretty smart cookies, remember. And both of their entire careers were spent acquiring power at the expense of anyone who challenged them.

Thank goodness that there are some smart people out there who have neither animus nor hero worship to blind their vision.

We're going to need a lot more liberals, conservatives, and anyone who is everyone who can fill that criteria if we are going to have a more honest democracy.

Smart people are going to need to learn to face their inner arrogant prick. And not-so-smart folks are going to need to nerd up.

We gotta democracy to operate here. And we're gonna need folks who can open up some honest space for engagement.

And if the rest of the country is going to engage in stupid, self-righteous posturing, John Stewart is a good person to get us started.

Feel the honesty.