Although it's already been said I will say it again. You are wrong. Not everyone needs to be be a software engineer. Your plumbing example is a good one to illustrate. If your drain is clogged and drain cleaner doesn't work you could call a plumber. You could also use plunger or plumbers snake. Most people won't however because they think it's scary. As for the Mayor, this guy is making decisions with respect to technology. How is it not a good thing for him to at least have a basic understanding on how it works.