[Peace-discuss] H.L. Mencken

[John W.]

In searching for the source of this quote - "No one ever went broke by 
underestimating the intelligence of the American people" (a nice double 
negative in its own right) - I came across this gem by Mencken:

"The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small 
electorates, a first-rate man occasionally fights his way through, carrying 
even the mob with him by force of his personality. But when the field is 
nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second and third hand, 
and the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, then all 
the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and 
mediocre ­ the man who can most easily adeptly disperse the notion that his 
mind is a virtual vacuum.

"The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is 
perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of 
the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day 
the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and 
the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." (Baltimore Evening 
Sun, July 26, 1920)

Thank goodness we haven't reached that point YET in America, huh?  :-P

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