I think it is time we tighten up those standards to run for POTUS

[Siwsan]

Here is something very scary that just dawned on me. The criteria/qualifications for enlisting in the military are higher than the requirements for being President of the United States.

When I enlisted in the Navy, I had to take and pass an aptitude test by, as I recall, at least 80% to get into my rating. During basic training, I had to take and pass a whole lot of written tests to show my knowledge about the service I was joining. Additionally, I had to provide school transcripts to be eligible for a promotion to an E-3 rank, in my rating, after I finished basic training.

If I failed to report something that might reflect poorly on me, or the US Navy, I could receive a general or less than honorable discharge.

To run for POTUS, you have to be a native born citizen and be at least 35 years old and lived in country for the last 14 years. No educational criteria or job related experience required. Apparently, we hold Presidential candidates to a much lower standard than they do military recruits.

Hell I had to pass a typing and reading comprehension test just to get hired as a clerk at an insurance company, after I left the Navy.

Am I overthinking this??

[sarcasmo]

1. The United States Government also checks your debt history when you enlist.

Checking Trumps full debt history should have been vetted first.

[Warpy]

2. I wouldn't exclude dyslexic people because I've known a few brilliant ones

It would be very nice, however, to be able to find out if they know how government actually works.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

23. Woodrow Wilson was dyslexic

http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/success-stories/woodrow-wilson

[UTUSN]

3. Haha, well, not in *our* lifetime. Mine is almost over, whatever yours is: Nope, nup, nyet, nine

[Siwsan]

4. I know. I guess I just have a very rich fantasy life.

[Maru Kitteh]

5. This is the best idea I've read all day.

[Siwsan]

6. Gee, thanks!

I think shoveling all of that snow, today, cleared some cobwebs out of my head.

[Maru Kitteh]

7. Can you imagine how crazy it would make Trump? Knowing the country was developing

a test to keep really stupid people out of the presidency . . . . because . . . him?

[Siwsan]

8. He is so arrogant, he'd never see it that way.

But if this situation doesn't trigger something to be done, what next? President Louie Gomert?

[Maru Kitteh]

10. This guy

[JimBeard]

19. I dare him to park that pickup in a dark corner of a Walmart parking lot.

[logosoco]

9. Very good points!

And also thank you for your service. It is nice to hear about people working for the government who are actually smart, concerned and caring that they have the aptitude for the job they signed up for!

I saw a meme about how you have to take a piss test to work at Target, but tRump gets elected for the top job with no real government experience.

As another poster mentioned, many jobs now require a credit check, but somehow tRump gets the job without even being open about his tax returns. I thought that was required because we have always seen them with prior candidates.

And isn't tRump a convicted fraudster now, legally? How in the hell does he get a job that requires security clearances?

I guess these things don't matter to some voters. And that is a shame.

[WillowTree]

11. Contact your congressperson and suggest a constitutional amendment.

Be sure to include the specific additional criteria you think should be requisites for a presidential (and therefore, also a vice-presidential) candidate. Bear in mind that this will have to pass both houses of Congress by a two-thirds margin and will then have to be ratified by three quarters of the states so keeping it as simple as possible is a good idea
.

[JimBeard]

20. We need time limits on the Supreme Court too.

[WillowTree]

21. That would require another amendment.

[KittyWampus]

12. Perhaps they need to pass an FBI & CIA background check. And Tax Returns required.

Medically, a heart stress test.

[CousinIT]

15. Psychological exam - testing for disorders. n/t

[Quixote1818]

13. We need to get some of our Dem reps to put up a bill that covers these things.

Also tax returns and there are a number of other things that should probably be considered as well.

[dumbcat]

16. They should put it in the same bill

that requires literacy tests for voting. We see what happens when we let stupid voters vote.

[hardluck]

18. And maybe a poll tax too!

I wonder what other great ideas we can mine from Jim Crow....

[CousinIT]

14. As if we're going to have another one. IMO Obama was likely the last. n/t

[3catwoman3]

17. You have to study and pass tests...

...for any number of things - cutting hair, doing nails, plumbing, driving a car, etc, etc.

How interesting that another important "job" requires no experience or credentials - raising children.

[struggle4progress]

22. Standard #1: Before becomin President, ya rilly oughta win th'popular vote

[Siwsan]

28. Amen, Amen, Amen!!!!!!!!!

[Wounded Bear]

24. The 14 year residency requirement no longer applies...

That was an "or" statement, not "and." That was so that all of the guys who fought in the Revolution would be eligible to run.

Otherwise, nobody from the original colonies, having been born as English citizens, would have qualified, including George Washington.

So, any surviving Revolutionary War veterans would still be qualified.

[DawgHouse]

25. Great ideas. I also think releasing tax returns should be a

as well as a medical evaluation by a real doctor.

[Jean-Jacques Roussea]

26. POLYGRAPH DEBATES

[Jean-Jacques Roussea]

27. Be able to name every country and their head of state

[Siwsan]

29. I doubt Trump can even name every state

I think his first 'State of the Union' speech will be hard to distinguish from a SNL skit.