When I go to get my medications a licensed professional fills them and a certified assistant distributes them to me. If I send my child to a school a certified teacher teaches them. Home repairs? A license and bonded contractor does the work. Get a haircut and the stylist is licensed by the State. Times I fly, a certified professional air traffic controller keeps tabs on the flight and ensures the plane doesn't visit another in mid-air. Need a lawyer? They need to pass a Bar exam. Doctor checks my wahzoo, it is because s/he has a medical license that allows it. Get my toofs fixed, bingo, another licensed professional.
So, I vote for a representative and nothing to back up their qualifications to hold office except some nifty yard sign that always say, "I'm Honest."
Something is very wrong here.
If you are like me, you are tired of people being elected to office that are either really good, or their cheese has slipped off their cracker. Unfortunately the latter is the norm. So the question becomes thus: Are these people educated enough, tested, licensed, bonded and insured enough to hold the position for which they are elected?
I don't think so from what I am seeing.
At the absolute minimum people running for office should have to undergo the following:
a. A full criminal background check.
b. A full financial background check.
c. A full employment background check.
d. A full education background check.
e. Full testing showing proficiency in reading and writing, geography, basic financial fundamentals, basic history (both U.S. and World), basic science theory, basic ethics, basic mathematics and intermediate level civics.
Only then should a person be able to run for political office. After all, people who cut your hair, fix your teeth, do medical testing, dispense medications, give you a massage, fix your plumbing, etc., have to be tested and given a license or certification to these and thousands of other jobs.
Maybe it is time for your favorite politico to be licensed too. It might just save your nation, democracy and your wallet.
Just saying.