Posted on 09/17/2008 2:02:25 PM PDT by ancientart
One of the great things about America is that you don't have to come from a royal house to be a leader. You don't have to be born to a wealthy dynasty. We like to say that anyone can become president.
When we consider candidates for high office, we look to see how their lives link to the sweat and hardship, difficulty and victory, struggle and overcoming that formed our nation.
If some candidates have led a soft life, we'll listen politely when they describe their parents' or ancestors' struggles. If they have no relatives with stirring stories of triumph, we'll even humor them when they borrow such stories (and whole coal mining ancestors) from British politicians.
When even that doesn't work, we'll believe them when they talk of concerned constituents with serious problems, and we'll chuck the idea of accomplishment out the window and settle for compassion.
But lately, things have changed. Certain qualities we didn't know were necessary to high office are becoming clear, thanks to the media's pointed questions and criticisms. Only certain people, we now understand, are fit for high office.
In America, anyone can achieve the highest position, that is, anyone who doesn't come from a small town. Small town government experience doesn't cut it. You can budget, manage, learn, direct and respond until you are blue in the face, but your experience will count for nothing.
Anyone can seek high office. Oh. Except governors of large states with small populations. You don't really “know” America if your state is sparsely populated. If you haven't tried sushi or frequented an oxygen bar, you're trailer trash.
Anyone can run unless they use guns. Guns are OK for photo shoots. Serious gun owners should apply, instead, for work at McDonald's. Guns reveal primitive, hostile tendencies that make our global neighbors nervous. Guns are scary. The smart people in Europe don't use them at all. Why can't candidate photo shoots feature pepper spray?
Anyone can run for president or VP. Unless, of course, they are punished with more than, say, two children. One child is preferred, if there must be children. Two are acceptable. More than two, however, is a little extreme, and White House china might be in danger.
Anyone can run as long as they don't take their religion seriously. Mild half-references to deity might be allowed - in some circumstances - but any acknowledgment of actual, daily devotion to God is a big no-no. Your god must be distant, sterile and largely symbolic.
Anyone can run, unless they've only attended a state college. You can't possibly understand the threats to America unless you've taken international relations classes from Harvard or Yale.
Anyone can run unless they overvalue the military. Little nods to the troops are all right, if done sparingly. More than that, though, and you are setting up the Third Reich. You're too dangerous to be trusted.
Anyone can run, man or woman. But if you must be a woman, it's best to ride in on the coattails of a husband, father or uncle. And you must act like you don't enjoy being a woman. Speak in a gruff voice and look unhappy. Happy women should stay at home and not trouble their pretty little heads about politics.
Anyone can run for high office, but only if firmly convinced that America is to blame for most of the world's problems. If you like your country too much, you really aren't fit to run it.
As one of the last good Democrats, Will Rogers, put it, “In America, anyone can grow up to be President: it’s a risk we all take.”
Good one!
Even NOBODY can at least RUN for President here.
Look at OBAMA - the Hollow Man!!!
Even though one may not have been born here....
"Really?! Even the President of the United States?"
"Well, sure. Presuming you make the top of your class at one of these four acceptable Ivy League law schools. Otherwise, no Democrat will regard you as qualified enough to run for office and represent 'da average blue collar woikin' man what's got grease under his fingernails."
As long as you are constitutionally qualified.
You do however have to be a natural born citizen.
Anyone can run unless they use guns.
The folks making these insinuations need to take a look at the Second Amendment, the Miller decision and the Heller decision.
Anyone can run as long as they don't take their religion seriously. Mild half-references to deity might be allowed - in some circumstances - but any acknowledgment of actual, daily devotion to God is a big no-no. Your god must be distant, sterile and largely symbolic.
Another part of the Constitution that the liberal emedia doesn't like or believe in. (Article VI last paragraph)
Are we going to have to become like Turkey, where the Military keeps the politicians in line with the Constitution by throwing them out whenever they stray over the border?
Either I am missing your mood and intent in your comment or you missed the sarcasm in this article.
Just got an email sneering at Palin for attending state colleges. These lefties really are elitists.
This is satire.
I know that, but it reflects the actual attitudes of many in the Liberal elite. It was those attitudes I was commenting on.
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