Last Tuesday I published a post on some of the experiences I thought a President ought have. The reactions to that post (and there have been many, both on the post itself, on Facebook, and via email and PM) have been largely critical, and most of them seem to assume that I would want any presidential candidate to have lived all of the experiences I listed.
In hindsight, I think it went off the rails when I used the not-quite-accurate word qualifications in the title.
My bad.
As I wrote in that post, "Nobody is likely to check all these boxes, but the more, the better." Anyone who had all of the experiences I suggested would probably not be available for the presidency, having his (or her) sights set on a more prestigious office, like Pope.
I believe that, over time, we've created a presidency that can be held only by those rich enough to buy it (or have it bought for them by the Elon Musks of the world), and that most of the people who are able reach that office have not the least understanding of the day-to-day challenges of the people they were elected to lead. What I'd hoped to convey was my belief that a person who aspires to the presidency ought to have had at least a few of the life experiences of those of us in the Great Unwashed.
In retrospect, I think that the actual qualifications, rather than desired life experiences, ought to include the upper age limit and documentation of having paid taxes. I think there might be enough support for a constitutional amendment to add those. As for the remaining experiences, I'd hope we can agree that at least a few of them are reasonable.
Heaven knows, we've got to do better.
Have a good day. More thoughts coming.
Bilbo
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