"Mack Reynolds - Day After Tomorrow" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

"Tendency?" Simonov scowled.

"Yes. Let me use an example. Some decades ago, a rather incompetent
American lieutenant-colonel came under the observation of
representatives of some of the largest American multi-national
corporations—IBM, that sort of thing. Although not particularly
intelligent, he evidently had a fantastic personality. They were far-seeing
people and decided to groom our lieutenant-colonel for the presidency. At
the time he was unknown. This was their first problem, to give him status.
Bringing pressure to bear, they had him rapidly promoted until he
became, first, commander of the American European theatre of
operations, in the Hitler war, and then supreme commander of the Allied
Expeditionary Force, although he had never been in combat in his life, had
never commanded troops in action. But still more status was needed if he
was to be considered for the presidency. When the war ended, he was
made head of the occupation troops in Germany.

"But being the country's top soldier was not quite enough, particularly
when the presidency of General U.S. Grant was recalled. He resigned his
rank and was made president of Columbia University. An indication of the
man was found when the reporters interviewing him got through his
aides. One asked what his background was in education that he should
hold such a post. And he replied that he didn't have any. That they would
have to brief him on his duties. The next day or so the reporters got to him
again and one asked him what his favorite newspapers were and he
returned that he never read the newspapers. 'If anything important
happens, they tell me about it.' He didn't mention who they were."

Blagonravov chuckled heavily before going on, he was a compulsive
chuckler. "Still later in the week, the reporters managed to get him aside
once more and one asked what his favorite type of books were and he
replied that he hadn't read a book in fourteen years. You begin to realize
our hero's capabilities. At any rate—after his sponsors began shielding
him from the newspaper people—he took leave of absence from his
Columbia University post and became supreme commander of the Allied
powers in Europe, and was given credit for the organizing of NATO, the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. By now his status was considered
adequate and they ran him for President of the United States and he easily
won. He remained in the postion for eight years, spending most of his
time playing golf. He was probably one of the most inadequate presidents
the United States has ever had, and, as all know, they've had some
unbelievably inadequate presidents."

Ilya Simonov shifted in his chair. "I fail to see your point, Kliment."

The other nodded. "The point is, that it is to the advantage of the Soviet
Complex that the Americans continue to elect to their highest offices men
whose sole claim to such office is their holding of status symbols. It is to
our advantage to have their corporations headed by such men, their
institutions of learning, their laboratories, their hospitals."