Shouldn’t a Presidential run be preceded by a test of sorts—you know, like any other job?
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Today’s political environment is changing. How can ensure our survival?
If I’m being honest, I have about as much enthusiasm for our choices in presidential candidates as I do for licking a 9-volt battery; I know the result won’t kill me but the anticipation itself is enough to make my tongue curl—because I know it’s still going to sting.
As I’ve watched the process of elimination over the last several months, I can’t help but wonder how, with a population of more than 324 million, this is the best we have to offer.
Maybe we forgot some people somewhere?
Like Rhode Island. It’s small and easy to overlook.
It also got me wondering why becoming a presidential nominee isn’t harder. Don’t get me wrong, I realize not just any millionaire can become a presidential candidate. But in a country where you have to pass a background check and psychological interview before landing a job at McDonald’s, you’d think we’d at least require the same of someone vying for a position as the Most Powerful Person in the World.
It seems like we might even feel obligated to other nations to make sure the Commander-in-Chief of the planet’s most advanced military doesn’t have mommy or daddy issues, an axe to grind, isn’t a power tripper and has a working knowledge of international affairs that extends beyond Fox News.
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When I was a chef, I made sure any cook I hired knew how many cups were in a quart, the difference between a teaspoon and tablespoon, and how to poach an egg. If they didn’t know those basic things, I would offer them a job in the dish room instead of the kitchen — and then teach them. I would never expect someone with culinary experience limited to eating fast food to know the intricacies of preparing a fine-dining meal.
Yet it seems this presidential election is doing exactly that: settling for a pair of fast-food mentalities vying over the right to prepare a banquet that will likely lead to food poisoning.
I have no problem with a woman president. There are certainly some terrific, highly qualified women who I would support wholeheartedly regardless of their political party.
Hillary Clinton just doesn’t happen to be one of them.
Like many Americans, I’m sick of politics as usual and what seems to be a true lack of representation by our elected officials, many of whom are more concerned about keeping their special interest supporters happy than being the voice of their constituents. I want a president whose “political affiliation” is the American people.
For the people.
By the people.
I just don’t think Donald Trump is that person.
But come November, for all intents and purposes, they will be our two choices. Our nation will be divided, and many will vote for someone simply because they feel they are the lesser of two evils.
How does this happen? Or more importantly, in today’s ever changing political environment, how can we ensure our survival?
I’d like to propose establishing a Presidential Aptitude Test. It would be held prior to the filing deadline required for all candidates. Think of it as political SATs; unless you earn a passing score, you can’t run.
Period.
Educate yourself and try again in four years.
To become a U.S. Citizen, you have to pass a test requiring basic knowledge regarding the history of our country, an understanding of its Constitution, the Bill of Rights, important amendments, how our government works, and laws that govern the rights of individuals.
How many Americans could pass this test? Not many. But shouldn’t the person representing our nation and its people?
In addition, the test would include a section on basic economics to prove that a candidate understands how the tangled web of trade, the financial marketplace and global economy are the circle of life for more than just the wealthiest among us.
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Along with equations requiring the use of well-established economic formulas, I would also want answers to questions like:
If Halliburton executives charge $40 per apple and you buy 1 million apples, how many apples would they have while serving a prison sentence for fraud?
There would also be a section covering global studies with an emphasis on geography, cultural history and international affairs. I think it’s important that our president demonstrate a grasp of the complex cultural differences they’ll be dealing with, as well as the ability to find and communicate real solutions to terrorism before using the special Red Phone.
Again, I’d like written answers to questions like:
To keep Americans safe from terrorism, would you:
a) Eliminate the threat by rounding up all Jews Muslims
b) Construct walls to keep the Mexicans and Canadians out
c) Tell the United Nations it is “fired”
d) work with world leaders and their agencies to target ISIS members in all countries. (Please explain your answer. Especially if you answered a, b or c)
Lastly, I would want each candidate to receive a psychological exam too determine how they handle stress, along with any predisposition toward narcissism, racism, a God complex, paranoia, compulsive lying, Explosive Personality Disorder and/or addiction to The Home Shopping Network.
Obviously, this exam would be limited to the presidency since, if administered to all branches of government, it could potentially wipe out most of Congress.
I realize this type of exam would be expensive, which is why candidates would be required to pay for it with their own campaign dollars. This could add a much-needed moment of pause for candidates and their supporters, who would know they’ll need more than money, rhetoric and spin doctors to make a viable run for the presidency.
At this moment, someone is being interviewed to determine their experience level; if they reflect the right kind of commitment and ideals; and whether they possess qualities that will prove successful for themselves and those around them.
And if they do, they’ll be issued a hair net.
Shouldn’t our president be subjected to the same scrutiny before being allowed the chance to hold the keys to the city?
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Photo: Flickr/Alberto G.
This essay originally appeared on OTV Magazine.
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