I could never get into this show. its because this show is based upon a completely absurd premise. That low level government employees can be these attractive, witty, charasmatic folks. That they reap enjoyment from their jobs, that they are helpful to the community, and that somehow their jobs are full of excitement.
Then, comrade, you may need an enterntaining trip to a re-education camp recreation park. After that you will not question the infinite wisdom of the sages of the Dear Leader.
The actor’s views are quite the opposite…with him starring in one of those “Celebrities Know Best” videos with stars “demanding Congress take action” with regards to guns.
I know Ron Swanson could be thought of as a satire of libs, but so is Leslie Knope re: statists. There’s lots of little random snarky jabs I notice from time to time in certain episodes (not just towards libertarians either), but I still like the show. The whole thing is a satire, even of government. I don’t really get the impression that it’s trying to idolize and venerate anything compared to the real hagiographic bellyfeel stuff out there. It could have been a lot more mean spirited than it is. This isn’t like that little dig in the Simpsons episode where it was all like “LOLAustrians”; Leslie Knope is used to lampoon as equally as Ron is, and both are pretty well humanized. Reason had a fairly decent article on it.