Job Posting: Leader of the Free World

By Becky Eklund of Salem, Oregon. Becky describes herself as "an Oregonian who'd like to see more active, well informed participation in democracy."

The powers and limitations of the president are described in the U.S. Constitution. How many people do you know who read and analyze the constitution or state laws to learn the duties of public officials? OK; I know a few people who do that. But most people don't read the Constitution, and many may not even know where to find it.

During campaign season, we hear about the candidates, their values and morals, the history of their votes if they have been in public office, and their statements on policy issues -- and we should continue to do that. We also should look at requirements of the job they are seeking to see if the candidate has the qualities and qualifications needed to do the job well. We need to ask ourselves, 'Has this candidate ever been in charge of a large organization, managed people, developed budgets, or have experience with a legislative process? Who knows?

How do I make a sound, educated decision about someone to represent me based on statements in voters' pamphlets, sound bites from radio or TV, lawn signs, and newspaper endorsements? I know I have a responsibility to be a well informed voter. Someone (us?) needs to help me with that.

We need to ask ourselves, 'Has this candidate ever been in charge of a large organization, managed people, developed budgets, or have experience with a legislative process? Who knows? Let's write some position descriptions.

Recruitment for President of the United States of America

Duties:


Required Qualifications:

The person in this position reports directly to 301,139,947 citizens of the United States of America. This position may require late night meetings, holiday meetings, and considerable off-site participation both during and after the standard work day. One hundred twenty days before appointment to this position, candidate may be followed by men with dark glasses and wires in their ears.

How to Apply

Submit the following to your chosen political party central committee:

The United States of America is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity

The United States does not have procedures or policies in place for VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.

  • BOHICA (unverified)
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    <s>"Carefully communicated commitment to a Christian religion"</s>

  • Admiral Naismith (unverified)
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    I do all my voting by sound-bite appeal. If certain buzzwords and platitudes are uttered, I just automatically mark 'em off on the ballot.

    It also helps if they get their pictures taken milking cows and operating heavy machinery, or if they look like someone I'd like to have a beer with.

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    My vote is all about the dirgibles.

  • Bill R. (unverified)
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    Sadly politics, especially presidential elections, is never about rationality or rational processes. It's 90% subliminal. Social psychology is a better analytical tool for presidential elections than rational argument. Running for president is not a job application, it's a sales pitch. As a pol. sci. major in college years ago there were already many studies published that demolished the fiction of the rational voter. So, nice premise here, but irrelevant.

  • Becky E. (unverified)
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    Bill, "irrelevant" is such a harsh word. Where is your optimism and hope that things can change? This doesn't have to be an either or situation -- subliminal versus rational. Maybe we could have a combination of the sales pitch and meeting the minimum job requirements.

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    This is an interesting idea. By the time we're talking about choosing among the leading presidential contenders, I suspect that voters think they're all "qualified" for the job. It comes down to values and personality, etc.

    But for other political races, I know that the two key questions that regular people ask (i.e. not us political junkies) are these:

    • Is he/she a Democrat or a Republican?
    • Is he/she qualified for the job?

    For some 70-90% of voters, the D/R question is a fast shorthand for values and puts 'em into a "leaning" position on the candidate.

    The "qualified" question isn't about values or policies or ideology. It's about experience - and is largely a resume question. It's why the voter's pamphlet is so critical. That effect is most especially pronounced for specific-task jobs like judges, AG, Treasurer - and for top-of-ticket jobs like Governor and US Senator.

  • rperry10 (unverified)
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    Here's another qualification: -- Ability to understand and apply scientific findings

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    Here's an automatic disqualifier for me: Is his/her daddy's name George, Herbert, Walker or Prescott?

  • Bill R. (unverified)
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    "Bill, "irrelevant" is such a harsh word. Where is your optimism and hope that things can change? This doesn't have to be an either or situation -- subliminal versus rational. Maybe we could have a combination of the sales pitch and meeting the minimum job requirements."

    Rationality is a conscious process. Subliminal is unconscious. Rationality requires an active and responsible engagement of discernment and decision-making. Subliminal is simply being reactive based on unconscious motivations. For centuries philosophers, educators, saints, and philanthropists have been trying to get us to wake up and take responsibility, and help us use the intellect and the higher values we have been given.

    Television and consumerist culture undermines all of that, with the use of subliminal manipulation to sell products or candidates. How many people would rather read a book than watch television? People vote on image and their unconscious emotional responses, whether a candidate makes them feel all "warm and gushy" inside and not on their policies or qualifications. So in the short term I don't have much hope for the electorate. So long as the public forum is dominated by uninformed opinion and reactive immaturity, controlled by media manipulation, we will not make intelligent, rational, informed, or wise decisions.

  • Michael (unverified)
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    mmm, airships.

  • les mackenzie (unverified)
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    Sorry,

    the job of Leader of the Free World has already been taken,

    contact Les Mackenzie, LFW

  • Todd (unverified)
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    Hair, it's all based on who has the best hair.

  • Smithsonian Willis (unverified)
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    then you should see my hair!

  • DemsViepspinE (unverified)
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    "Doctors and patients can use (Intelence) in those patients that ... from had particular or multiple rounds of intransigence exhibit," Tibotec probe and cancer drugs President Roger Pomerantz said in an appraisal.

  • Mowacconi (unverified)
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    Check this!!! http://manylia.com/get.php?id=59395

    You must do it! The best game in the world!!!

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