George W. Bush: Civics Teacher?

Have you been wondering what George W. Bush might, or should do, with his life after he leaves office to the sounds of the human race rejoicing? You're not alone:

A totally crazy Saturday-morning thought: Wouldn't George W. Bush make an awesome high-school government teacher? Wouldn't it be something if his post-presidential life would up being that kind of post-service service? How's that for a model? Who needs Harvard visiting chairs and high-end lectures? How about Crawford High? (Or wherever?)

Reach out and touch the young before they are jaded, or break them of the cynicism pop culture and possibly their parents have passed down to them. Whatever you think of President Bush, he's a likable guy in love with his country with some history and experience to share.

That's from the National Review Online's Kathryn Jean Lopez, who can be counted upon to put some of the dumbest stuff you've ever read in your life on the internet, like it was her job or something (and it is!). And back in the real world, other bloggers are totally pooh-poohing her idea. Steve Benen says that it's "a suggestion that I really hope the president chooses to ignore." Matt Yglesias says the idea comes straight from the "Department of Crazy Notions."

I disagree! I think that the best thing Bush could do with his life is take a few years to explain, at great length, precisely what screwed-up country he thought he was running - its strange rules, its consistent wastefulness, its thoroughgoing inability to cope with crisis, and its pervasive lawlessness. This, to me, sounds like precisely the sort of Sartrean end we all want for Mr. Bush. It can be called Delusions of Adequacy 101.