Should learn

The current mess should be a learning experience for people who still believe that the president is an active participant in government. We’ve seen forcefully that the current occupant is not capable of participating.

The same thing happened with Reagan, who was senile in the last two or three years of his term (at least).

Both situations should have taught the same lesson. Partisans want us to think that switching the Person Of The King makes all the difference. Obviously the King is totally nonfunctional, not part of the action. All decisions are made by the bureaucracies.

Monarchies were more honest about the ceremonial nature of the King. China’s system was most honest of all, recognizing that the mandarins were in charge, while the Emperor was a sort of religious icon representing the government’s spiritual power.

We have the same misunderstanding about corporate CEOs and presidents of universities. Traditionally both are icons representing the institution. A university is ruled by the Provost or Chancellor, who is honestly recognized as the real exec. The president’s job is fundraising. Now we should learn that the nation’s president is exactly the same as a university president. His role is fundraising for the party.