I was amused, and somewhat perplexed, by Romney’s recent bizzaro statement:
I’d like to have a provision in the Constitution . . . that the president has to spend at least three years working in business before he could become president of the United States.
While I’m sure my immediate reaction closely resembled that of a clear majority of intelligent, sensible people, as I spoke of it to some of my friends, I realized: maybe Mitt’s onto something here.
I, too, would like for every president to have had a few years of business activity. That could range from a childhood paper route to flipping burgers in a fastfood joint to prostitution to pimping for prostitutes to negotiating protection from law enforcement for prostitutes to CEO activities.
I was pleased with TJ Walker's analysis of the importance of business expertise, which would compel most CEOs to favor Obama over Romney.
Then again, I’d like presidents to have had many other experiences and qualities. I’d like to require each to:
have performed at least three years of community service, possibly including:
volunteer work
military
community organizing
environmental activism
political activism
be fluent in artistic expression, possibly including:
drawing, painting or photography
sculpting or weaving
playing a musical instrument
dancing
drama
speak at least four languages
have endured some hardship, possibly including:
declaring bankruptcy
homelessness
incarceration for at least one misdemeanor, regardless of guilt or innocence
have attended at least one AA/NA meeting
have dated or married a member of at least one other ethnic group
be at least 1/16th Native American
be a member of all major political parties
be able to explain the following (regardless of personal beliefs):
relativity
paradox
evolution
atheism
democracy
capitalism
communism
socialism
chaos theory
Exemption from these requirements would be permitted for
poets.
While amending the Constitution in this way, I’d remove any requirement of having been born a US citizen; I can’t imagine why any reasonable person would consider that important. I would, however, exclude clergy (current or retired) to preserve the separation of church and state.
Are there more requirements I’ve failed to consider?