I presume this article is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, although the concept of introducing a timewaster in order to effect political ends has been discussed in several places (e.g. the 1957 Eric Frank Russell novel "Wasp", the 1991 Star Trek episode "The Game"). [There, I've brought in Science Fiction and ST TNG. I will refrain from mentioning the H-person]

Puzzle solving is far from wasted time. Intelligence manifests itself in many ways, and current research has shown that it is very much a "use it or lose it" proposition. Solving puzzles (and there are many different kinds; some people do better at some kinds than others) is a way for those who are natural problem solvers to keep themselves tuned up.

And yes, I'm one of "THEM"; I do the NY Times crosswords, when I can get to them, in ink.