National Lampoon Interview

Demockracy recently took some time off from playing Scrabulous to interview Adam Winer, author of the recent National Lampoon’s book “How Dumb Are You? The Great American Stupidity Quiz”.

Winer, who previously has been featured on VH1 and is an all-around-good guy, has written a penetrating book that goes to a question at the heart of American democracy: if we are relying upon an informed electorate, then how informed are we, exactly? The book, released just this month, is available in bookstores everywhere (except the Wasilla, AK library, which has relegated it to the “bad” section.) Without further ado, our interview:

Demockracy: Thanks for taking time out to talk about your new book. What fact from the book did you find the most surprising?

Adam Winer: Here’s my favorite one. It’s about Mt. Rushmore: “Thomas Jefferson’s head was first sculpted to the left of George Washington, but chief chiseler Gutzon Borglum didn’t think the face looked enough like Jefferson—so he loaded it with dynamite and blew it away. Borglum then re-sculpted TJ in the space to the right of Washington. Even then, the final head wasn’t immediately recognizable. Some early tourists mistook Jefferson for Martha Washington.” I’m not sure who that’s a bigger smack in the face to–the sculptor, or Martha Washington.

D: Which politician would you most like to have a beer with? What about a shot of bourbon?

AW: Beer, bourbon, doesn’t matter, I’m drinking it with Ted Stevens. It has nothing to do with the recent criminal stuff. Just think of all the bat shit crazy things the guy has said in the past. Now imagine how interesting he must be when he’s loaded.

D: Which comedian would make the best President?
AW: Stephen Colbert. Hands down. I’ve been lucky enough to interview him a couple of times when he wasn’t in character, and he’s one of the smartest people I’ve had the honor of talking to. He’s got my vote.

D: Assuming that a democracy is not the best form of government, what, in your opinion, is the best form of government?

AW: That seems like a really defeatist question. Why do we have to alter the form of government? Why can’t we instead alter the intelligence level of the population? Put more resources into education and we benefit in countless ways. Plus it’d be really good for this whole democracy thing.

D: What, in your view, has been the most unexpected part of this year’s Presidential campaign?

AW: Sarah Palin. Who could have possible seen that one coming. It’s working out great for Tina Fey, though…

D: If Joe the Plumber is neither named “Joe” nor a licensed plumber, then who is he, in your opinion?

AW: A guy whose neighbors are probably still pissed at how all the TV crews trampled their lawns…

D: Thanks for keeping our electorate informed and writing a book that would make Harriet Miers proud.