Choosing the President of the U.S.

It is conventional wisdom that the office of the President of the United States is the most powerful position in the world; therefore, it goes without saying that this person should be eminently qualified. Ideally, this ought to be someone of impeccable character, and vast knowledge and wisdom. This begs the question, what exactly are the qualifications for this job? Every four years, the two major parties throw a dozen bodies into the arena, and eventually choose one. The parties then compete with one another, and whoever wins becomes our president. It all seems rather arbitrary, doesn’t it?

Making a poor decision and placing the wrong person into this office could be catastrophic when you consider some of the issues that they will have to grapple with such as illegal immigration, the war on terror, taxes, etc. We, as a society, can ill afford to be negligent in our civic responsibility to do our homework and elect the most qualified person for the post. Just as important is our responsibility to root out the poor and, let’s face it, dangerous candidates, and make sure that they do not win election.

I have devised a very simply quiz, of sorts, to gauge the parameters of a potential candidate’s electability. No candidates should even be considered for the presidency of the United States unless they can adequately answer the following questions, thus demonstrating basic knowledge necessary to be the most powerful person on earth.

1. Describe the difference between Capitalism and Socialism.

2. Is affirmative action constitutional? If so, explain how.

3. Do you consider the U.S. Constitution a ‘living, breathing’ document, or are you an originalist?

4. Define torture.

5. What percent of illegal immigrants make up our federal prison population?

6. List the pros and cons of socialized medicine.

7. Where does the government primarily get its money from?

8. Where is the separation of church and state described in the Constitution?

9. Define our system of government- Republicanism.

10. What is your primary responsibility as President of the United States?

Anyone who cannot answer these questions satisfactorily does not deserve to be my president.