AKA: The Inevitable Has Happened
If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you knew this was bound to happen sooner or later. And, it has.I've seen a video (from which I will actually spare you.. unless you were on my Facebook page yesterday, and in that case... well, you got to lose brain cells, hope for the future, and time that you'll never get back by watching it along with me) that set me off, and now, it's time for a political "rant" (I use this in quotes, because one of my friends has very kindly stated that a rant connotates someone who is on a tirade, or who throws tantrums, and many of you have let me know that my 'rants' don't qualify.. lol).
This may be a repeat for some of you- I know I've said this before, but it bears the redundancy:
The Presidential election (and any American political election) is a job interview. We, the People of the United States, are the employers of the President and Congress. Therefore, it is our duty to scrutinize these candidates in such a way as to either qualify or disqualify them to hold the office that represents us.
When reviewing a candidate for employment there are a few things (by FEDERAL LAW) that we cannot ask:
1. You cannot ask about their religious beliefs. Therefore, all religious belief questions or concerns should be thrown out the window and should not be allowable by law in any campaign strategy.
2. You cannot ask about a person's health, other than to ask if there are any issues that might prohibit them from performing the duties of the job description.
3. In a nutshell, it is illegal to ask about the following: race, gender, religion, marital status, age, disabilities, ethnic background, country of origin, sexual preferences or age. I highlighted country of origin because in the case of the President, one must be born in the U.S. to serve in that capacity. Congressmen and women are not bound to that requirement.
There are things an employer SHOULD be reviewing:
1. Resume'. Do they have the skill sets to take on the job?
2. Culture fit. Would they be able to meet the mission, vision and values statements as set forth by the company/employer? Would they represent the employer well?
3. Red flags. Is this person hiding something? Are they being truthful when answering interview questions? Does the resume' match up to the answers they are giving you?
4. Experience. Do they have the kind of experience necessary to successfully execute the duties to which they are expected to perform?
5. Facts. Check them. Investigate claims. Be sure the candidate is honest and trustworthy. Especially when it comes to the highest office in the land.
Things that should NEVER EVER EVER be considered:
1. The visual appeal of the person. Looks are not an indicator of job performance.
2. Whether you have a pet with a similar name to the candidate.
3. Their acting ability. Many people are good performers in a job interview. This should be considered (in other words taken with a grain of salt) when interviewing. Some may argue that this goes to representing the employer well. I would argue that there is a difference in putting on a face that looks good but lies, to being forthright in representation.
4. Eenie meenie miney moe- my friends like this candidate so I should.
5. Your emotions. They should be in check. This is a critical job function for the employer and must be viewed with a critical, unemotional eye.
Now, I'm only going to address the Presidency here, but one thing I'd like to point out before I do: The President doesn't elect the Congress with which he/she must work. That's the employer's job. If the President is unable to work with them, it is the employer's duty to determine whether it's the President or the Congress who is unwilling to work with the other. After making that decision, the employer (people) must make tough hiring decisions from that point.
And, because I have an HR and Training background in business, I've developed a Job Description for you to review before you make your hiring decision on the highest office in the land:
Job Description: President of the United States
1. Constitutional Requirements:
Age and Citizenship requirements - US Constitution, Article II, Section 1
No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
Term limit amendment - US Constitution, Amendment XXII, Section 1 – ratified February 27, 1951
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.
2. Duties of the President:
- Primary duty is to ensure all U.S. laws are carried out and that the federal government runs smoothly.
- has the power to veto any law produced by the legislature.
- is Commander in Chief of the U.S. armed forces. In addition to powers over the military, the president has the authority to deploy those forces at his/her discretion, with congressional approval. He/She may also ask Congress to declare war on other nations.
- with Senate approval, appoints a cabinet which oversees facets of the government.
- is expected to report to the legislature once per year on the state of the Union.
- is authorized to make treaties with foreign nations, pending Senate approval. He/she also appoints ambassadors to other countries and to the United Nations, though those, too, require Senate confirmation. The President and his/her administration represent the interests of the United States abroad; as such, he/she often meets with, entertains and develops a relationship with other heads of state.
- is considered a guardian of the U.S. economy. He/she is concerned with such things as unemployment, high prices, taxes, business profits, and the general prosperity of the country. The president does not control the economy, but is expected to help it run smoothly. As President, one would be expected to meet with economic advisers to discuss ways to reduce unemployment, for example. Another, would be to meet with business and labor leaders to hear out their concerns and act upon them where prudent.
- Other duties as assigned. (it's in every job description I've ever seen and I think it's appropriate here too)
3. Skills Required:
- Good communications skills
- Leadership skills
- Good critical thinking skills
- Charismatic personality
- Self-starter
- Highly motivated
- Well-versed on all issues as they are related to the nation
- Well-versed in American foreign policy and international relations
- Strives always for good personal appearance
- Ability to delegate authority
- Ability to make calm, rational decisions in times of crisis
- Ability to relate to those he/she represents
- College education preferred, though not required (Harry Truman is the only President since Roosevelt who did not have one).
- Must pass extensive background check and be willing to submit to same.
This is what we should be focused on. These are the criteria upon which we should be making a hiring decision. This is a critical job function within our government, and being a government by the People, of the People and for the People, it's high time we took this employment application process seriously. To make a hiring decision based upon the idea that "it's high time we had a 'hot' president" or because you haven't reviewed his/her skills/experience ("he took away my right to be Catholic") is UNACCEPTABLE.
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I wonder how many of us could take a U.S. Citizenship test and pass it? We expect a lot from our immigrants (and btw, there were no immigration laws before 1875) now. But, how many of us are couch potatoes? How many times have I (or possibly you) heard, "I'm not into politics.. or I don't follow politics.. too much drama for me."
If I, and other members of the military- past, present and future, can give up our time and a portion of (if not all of) our lives to protect your rights, the very least you could do is pay us back by paying attention when we review these candidates. Otherwise, you have absolutely no business whatsoever exercising ANY of those rights if you refuse to do your part in a responsible manner. You are NOT a patriot if you cannot do at least that. And, it really IS the very least you can do to lay claim to being a citizen of this democratic republic.
This election season, go to the candidates' websites. Review their
Tools to Help you Do your Job:
List of State Boards of ElectionsU.S. Citzenship Practice Test
Presidential Candidate Websites (listed alphabetically):
Democratic Presidential Candidate Websites:
Barack Obama
Randall Terry
Green Party Presidential Candidate Website:
Jill Stein
Independent Party Presidential Candidate Websites:
James Mccall
Joseph Schriner
Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Website:
Gary Johnson
Republican Presidential Candidate Websites*:
Ron Paul
Willard "Mitt" Romney
*note: Buddy Roemer has suspended his campaign and Jared Blankenship's website will not load. They are both listed as Republican candidates for President at this time.
Fact Checking Sites:
Washington Post Fact Checker (where you see the Pinocchios)
Factcheck.org
Politifact.com
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![]()
Clik here to view.
