Why do I want to take care of Mr. President, particularly when
he’s desperate like this? Sure, he has been useful—he has saved me
from many a newzie—but there aren’t many newzies left. And it’s not
like Mr. President has infected me with a virus that predisposes me to
want to care for him.
I think it’s because Mr. President is a symbol, and symbols
matter. Caroline liked to say that I was a sentimentalist. But sentiment
is really just an appreciation for the reality and signi"cance of
symbols—which is why I’m still here, and she’s not.

Author: John Green