Political leaders and requirements?

This is quoted from an article in the Straits Times, 24 November whereby an ex NT*C Inc*me chi*f is looking towards standing for presidency.

While he has to respect his wife's wishes, it is his dream that Singapore has leaders who represent the people and their aspirations.

'They don't have to be very highly educated. They just need to be the voice of the people.'

In the paper, he seems to me like a humble person, taking mrts and buses instead of car to work until recently, and has held the position for 30 years. He has also led a few discussions at the speaker's corner regarding the failed bank products.

The above is a quote by him, who talks about what he thinks leader should possess. I don't agree fully with him though because i think a high, broad and deep education is important for leaders, who have travelled and read widely about the world and other systems, and can then bring in these perspectives to Singapore. Even if a person is not highly educated (does he mean Doctorate? or Masters? Or degree??), once he (sic) has decided on a political path, he needs to gain that higher education!

And while i agree that being the voice of the people is and sounds very good. It is in fact, but to what extent do the people themselves know what is good for them? Sometimes, and very often, people don't know. Behavioural geography have mentioned that people are not all rational, but aims for satisfaction, because information is not perfect. People are not perfect, (because of a lack of education - not necessary academic) they are unable to know what is best for them.

Example.

ERP is evil, why is it raised again? The govt should lower the ERP!@%!@ But while we hate it, we have to think about the reason behind it. If the traffic is not controlled and we get jams and inefficient transport systems, people will be late for work, for meetings, miss flights, pollution in the city etc etc, investors will not like to come to Singapore for MICE or invest because they can't even get to work on time.. etc. In the end, we lose our jobs, our economy will not do so well.

But if there are better ways to improve traffic efficiency without raising ERP or having ERP........ that will be the best! I really dislike them too.

But the thing is, we shouldn't complain blindly just because it affects us directly without thinking of how it may affect us even MORE indirectly otherwise. The fact is, many of us can't see the long term implications of certain things and only focus on the short run.

So while being the voice of the people is necessary, i can't help to say that i think the best type of leaders are forward-looking and wise, empathetic and caring to their people, highly educated with broad knowledge and very passionate about serving their country..and gives good convincing speeches, along with many things.

Then again, who decides if what is "best" is really the best? We need to be more discerning citizens , read more and think deeper because it will affect us.