How do certifiably insane people get to run entire nations??

[smirkymonkey]

Shrub, Cheney & Co., Bush Sr., Reagan (ok, so alzheimers isn't insanity exactly), Kim Jong II, Berlusconi, etc. Even throughout history w/ Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, Mussolini, and most of the monarchs of European history etc. I missed quite a few, but you get the idea...

What does that say about society? It's not just a Western culture phenomenon either - most modern countries have had their fair share of nutcases.

Does anyone have a rational explanation??

[TrogL]

1. Charisma

People worship charisma over substance.

[IrateCitizen]

2. Power most strongly attracts those least suited to hold it...

Seriously, would anybody here REALLY want the job of President of the United States? I sure as hell wouldn't. I wouldn't want to put my family through what that would be, and I certainly wouldn't want to allow myself to become part of the cynical, soiled game of Washington insider politics.

The reason that so many crazies control entire nations is that they are attracted to and motivated by POWER. It was Kissinger who said, "Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac." And if you want a prime example of a person ill-equipped to hold power, look no further than Henry the K.

Compassionate people aren't attracted to power. That's why they don't run nations.

[radwriter0555]

3. Bush is the ultimate manchurian candidate... he REALLY is...

makes mk-ultra look like the real thing.

[bobd]

4. In The Current US Political Climate? Two Words ...

Conservative and Fundamentalist.

Both imply insantity and both are seen as wonderous traits by "We the People".

[ixion]

5. Psychotic Delusional Narcissism

pretty much sums it up.

[RichM]

6. The powers behind the throne always choose the most ruthless agent

possible, for protecting their own interests.

[izzie]

7. Some how the GOP thinks they have their turn at it,

There was a quote or some thing about father saying those words when Reagon got it. It was Father's turn.Look back at history(sorry about that) but we have tons of nut cases that tore half the world apart because it was their turn

[11 Bravo]

8. The quickest way is probably to be appointed

by a razor-thin majority composed of rabidly partisan Supreme Court justices.