About two years ago, my son ran for president of his third grade class. While the election was an elementary exercise in civics perhaps, the junior campaigns quickly took on the dynamic of their national models, with signs, slogans and promises. And while his opponents for the presidency took a familiar tack with promises of ending the war in Iraq, bringing world peace and helping the poor, Ellis went right for the gusto, promising a four-day week, longer recess and three-day weekends. Give them what they want, sometimes before they know they want it.
Of course, he won in a landslide.