What are we (the U.S.) doing that results largely in the pool of political candidates comprised of people who are so out of touch with reality and lack basic common sense? How do we instead incentivise our best minds to run for office?
After reading the Snopes page on the comment, clearly it was deadpan humor that for some reason people made way too much of.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/tipping-point/
"Only Johnson knows for sure what he was thinking as he questioned Admiral Willard, and he later claimed he was “speaking metaphorically” and “kidding” (although critics noted no trace of humor was apparent in his words, tone, or body language, nor did he react or offer correction when Admiral Willard addressed his concerns about the island’s “tipping over” as if they were meant literally)"
Stop electing the idiots when they run?
Almost all problems in democracy start with education.