THE COUNTRY'S IN THE VERY BEST OF HANDS.

Inside Higher Ed contributor Vicki Baker, a professor of economics and management at Albion, notes "A Title Does Not Make a Leader."

She then calls the roll of habits of ineffective leaders.

1. Poor-performing leaders have big egos; they believe they are the smartest people in the room.
2. An ill-equipped leader listens to react.
3. An insecure leader demands loyalty.
4. An unseasoned leader censures communication; they restrict or eliminate diverse channels of interaction.
5. An immature leader places blame on others as a first response.
6. A misinformed leader is single-mindedly focused.

We could do away with the elegant variation and repeat the adjective "ineffective" or "lousy" in each line.

The article offers what she calls "counterbehaviors" that might be habits of highly effective leaders.

I suggest, though, that you keep that list with you the next time you watch an interview with an elected official or sit through a Sunday public affairs show.  The ineffectiveness is on display for all to see.

Thus does Donald Trump's "We are being governed by stupid people" assertion gain purchase.