You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?

You may find yourself living in a shotgun shack

You may find yourself in another part of the world

You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile

You may find yourself in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife

You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?

                        Talking Heads 1981

For me, rock bottom hit in 2008.  In a country of over 300 million people, we were left with the inexplicable choice of John McCain or Barack Obama for President.  On the right, McCain was smart in one respect; he realized that he knew virtually nothing about economics and avoided talking about it like it was the plague.  Listening to him talk about economics was both sad and funny at the same time.  On the left, the choice was someone with a skimpy resume; no executive experience, no business experience, and an undistinguished liberal legislative record.  Predictably, Obama has been a major disappointment for a job he was never qualified to do.  Even the Democrats don't get excited about him anymore.

So, as the Talking Heads asked, how did we get here?  In the richest, most powerful country in history, how were these 2 considered the best choices we had?  This was not a fluke; the more important question is why do our Presidential candidates virtually always seem so lacking?

 If you were an alien who showed up in the US for the first time yesterday, you would assume that the most successful country, with over 300 million people, would have an abundance of choices.  You would assume that every election would be like determining who are the five best NBA players or the five toughest Navy SEALS; Everyone's great, it's just a matter of picking the greatest.  But as we know, our system just doesn't produce these type of choices.  Here's what I think is a major reason for that:

 Let's assume you've got it going on.  No, I mean you’re really, really sterling.  You graduated from one of the best schools in the country with honors.  You have an advanced degree from an equally fine school.  You have been a major success in business, and your generous philanthropic giving is well known. Your wife is brilliant and beautiful, and you all have raised well-adjusted, smart children.  Somehow, you’ve even found time to be on the board of directors of multiple local businesses.  Everyone who knows you likes and respects you, except for the people that are jealous that don't count anyway.

So the question is, if you're that guy or gal, why would you run for President?  For starters, every secret and mistake you've ever made in your life will no longer be secret.  Maybe there were short periods of time in your happy marriage that weren't so happy.  Maybe you have a health issue that is no one's damn business, that is now everyone's business.  Maybe back in college you were normal and your morals weren't as evolved as they are today.  Who really wants a lifetime of very human mistakes dug up?

Politically, no matter how smart you are and how good your policies are, immediately 50% of the country is going to dislike you.  Every word that comes out your mouth, and every recorded word that has ever come out of your mouth or pen, will be scrutinized and criticized.  Everything you say will be taken out of context and put in commercials by your opponent, alleging that you are dishonest, unlikable, and like to torture kittens in your spare time.

            In short, I think the smart ones are very comfortable staying right where they are.  No, not every candidate is a tool, but our system clearly discourages the best of the best from running.

Have a good night everyone.

JR