TWO VIEWS: Problems with the presidentia
The position of president is viewed as the ultimate examp elected president does not reflect this model citizen. Shou COMMENTARY BY MARÍA JOSÉ CESTERO, STAFF WRITER
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S THE s u p r e m e leader, the President of the United States of America should be a person of distinction from the rest — one who represents, exemplifies and surpasses representative characteristics of a U.S. citizen. Though the American dream emphasizes individuality and achievements through hard-work, the president should meet certain obligations and demands for the people of the United States to feel confident in their leader. Aspiring to be president is more attainable than perceived, as the Constitution only has three requirements for the position: the candidate must be at least 35 years of age, a natural-born citizen and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. These specifications do not require any education-based merits, allowing anyone without experience or knowledge in the world of governance to run for the position. Political science, or politilogy, by its dictionary definition, is a branch of social science which deals with systems of governance. Political scientists concern themselves with basic questions about the law, government, morality and humanity, all globally important concepts. Yet, to become president, it is not necessary to have a political science degree, despite the fact that it teaches the principles that the president must encounter on a daily basis.
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“Experience at the federal level in my opinion should be a must,” government teacher Frank Cipriani said. “Ideally, a candidate would have legislative experience, be a current or former governor and have diplomatic and international experience as perhaps the Secretary of State or an ambassador.” The seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, was known as a “representative of the common man,” and was distinguished from previous presidents because he came from poverty and founded the Democratic Party. However, his past actions showcase how education and experience should be inexorable specifications for candidacy. As reported by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Jackson came to be known among the public as “King Andrew the First” as he continuously acted without congressional approval and exceeded the president’s constitutional power on several occasions. His presidential cabinet also acquired the nickname “The Kitchen Cabinet” because he perpetually confided and sought political advice from friends, which later became known as the corrupt “Spoils System.” Unfortunately, the lack of education needed to run for president has foiled other countries’ views of the United States as a nation. After the performance of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential debate, many countries have frowned upon the candidates’ nearly childish behavior which has effectively made the United States’s international image look like a dysfunctional joke, as per the Chicago Tribune. What was once the image of prosperity and greatness,
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THE STANDARDS FOR PRESIDENT ARE GOING TO DECREASE IF WE KEEP LETTING UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE RUN FOR THE POSITION. Jose Sanchez, senior
the U.S. has slowly lost its auspicious reputation due to aspiring representatives not being fully prepared or knowledgeable enough to campaign for the position. “An election debate in the States last night, where interruptions and quarrels were allowed to fill up way too much,” D a n i s h Prime Minister M e t t e Frederiksen s a i d on Facebook. “Fortunately, this is not the case in Denmark. And I never hope it will be like that.” The U.S. Constitution has brought the United States an abundance of success and triumph, but it could also be the cause of its demise if a person that is unfit to lead obtains the position of president. It is time to amend the current Constitution so the requirements reflect the model citizen who is ready, qualified and capable to undertake the pressures and needs of the American people in a dignified, educated manner. h Sharon Florez / highlights
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INEXPERIENCED CANDIDATES COULD CAUSE HARM TO NOT ONLY THE GOVERNMENT, BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Dayanis Perez, junior
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