Kowabunga

I have known some people who devoutly believe that the concept of a "Philosopher King," the ideal ruler with the virtue and wisdom of a philosopher. Not only have I known people who believe that such a ruler would be good for America, some of them even believed they would be that ideal person.

A Philosopher King, it is believed, would be a benevolent ruler, using his "superior" wisdom in determining what is best for his subjects. That means, he would have absolute power in determining what you or I can do and what we can have. If he believes that no one should have any more material goods than any body else, then his will be done, and any transgressors, those who would attempt to exercise their free will in order to better their own lives, well, they would be sent to the dungeon until they learned the error of their ways.

A Philosopher King is nothing more than a fancy euphemism for tyrant.

Yet it is this concept that attracts many people, predominantly liberals, believing that thru such a leader, some great utopia would be created, where all people would have all of their needs satisfied and there would be no want. Come to think of it, I don't believe I have met a conservative who believes that such a ruler would be good for society.

Ask your liberal friends what THEY would do if they were chosen to be a Philosopher King. What would they do to enforce their will upon the people they rule? Or are they believe that all of their subjects would give up their natural free will? Would you trust such a person with this kind of power?

Then think about what kind of people currently in the public eye might try to paint themselves (or their followers may do this) as this "ideal ruler", who would think of themselves as this mythical Philosopher King. Or Queen, for that matter. Then ask yourself, would you want this person as President of the United States?