According to the constitution–there are only a few qualifications a person must meet in order to run for president in this country. They are:
No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
Therefore, if we’re going to be real and factual, our claims (including mine) that trump is not qualified to be president are not necessarily true–according the requirements as written. Apparently, the founding fathers didn’t think far enough ahead to anticipate the menace we now have in the White House–who certainly is not fit to hold the office. Ah ha! The difference between being qualified and being fit is exposed on a daily basis.
So, now how do we determine a person’s fitness for the office?
I’m not convinced that a person has to have held an elected position prior to running for president or be rich or have a well-connected family name. I am convinced that anyone running for the office of president should have a genuine concern and desire to serve all the people in the United States and not just some of them. Therefore, based upon what we’ve seen, the current Oval Office resident is only concerned with establishing policies that benefit the rich and campaigning to appease his base (40%) of the American population. And because people were so foolish to not vote because their candidate didn’t get the nomination in 2016, here we are today, in 2018, trying to figure out how we get out from under the oppressive, authoritarian mess that now exists.
The one bright spot to the traitor’s election is the fact that people–from all walks of life–have felt impelled to run for office and that’s a good thing. Complacency has taken a back seat to the horrors of what we now face as a nation.
I’ve talked to a number of people in the past year and will probably talk to more. Many are running for offices or have run and the recurring them for their political involvement is, “trump happened.” I know that’s true for me–if he had never been installed in office, I probably would have lived out the rest of my life, totally inactive, thinking that voting was enough. Just voting–is not enough! If we want to see a change in this country, every able-bodied, mentally stable American needs to get actively involved in the political process of this country–it’s the way Democracy works.
At any rate, let’s get back to the point I want to make–about having presidential qualifications which include being fit for the office. As most of my followers know, I plan to run for President in 2020. Many have said, they don’t think I’m qualified based upon a few factors: I’ve not held an elected public office (not a career politician), I’m not rich (no matter how rich is defined), and I’m not affiliated with any religious institution (meant to appease the religious sector in the country).
On the other hand, there are number of reasons why I believe I’m the perfect person (qualified and fit) for the position of President of the United States.
- I am an American (though the founding fathers didn’t have me in mind) who believes in adhering to the Constitution of the United States.
- I have been a public servant for over 20 years as an educator and volunteer in various situations.
- I know the three branches of government and the intent for checks and balances needed for a democratic process to work and have an affinity for understanding history.
- I have a better than average understanding of how government is supposed to work and will work to maintain (or restore in this case) the relationships between our allies.
- I have a heart for all people regardless of their ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs or anything else.
- I care about our planet and want to make sure my grandchildren and their children can enjoy breathing clean air, drinking clean water, and in eating foods not poisoned by toxic soil.
- I want every person who desires a higher education to have access to one without overwhelming debt (I know all too well how this is overwhelming)
- I want every educator to be treated with respect and dignity and paid as the professionals they are.
- I want every Senior Citizen to live secure in the knowledge that benefits they paid into will always be available to them.
- I want every American–regardless of age or pre-existing conditions to have access to affordable healthcare.
- I want every veteran who has served this country to be honored as the heroes they are and for them to have every service they need to continue living a productive life.
- I want every American to be treated with respect and dignity and afforded equal rights in every area of their lives.
- I want corporations to pay their fair share of taxes and for them to pay employees a living wage commensurate with their skills and ability.
- I want access for every person who wants to run for an elected office to be able to do so without finances being a barrier that impedes.
- I want to see America’s Democratic process work for every American and that the people determine the direction of our nation, not corrupt, bought and paid for politicians who forget how they were elected in the first place.
- I am as mentally stable as anyone can be at the moment with the constant threat of nuclear war by the menace in the White House who is truly the enemy of the people.
In addition to the above bulleted points–I am physically fit to endure rigors of the office and if for any reason, my physical ability should falter, I have no qualms about moving aside so that the country moves forward with the best person at the helm. My strongest character traits are my integrity and tenacity. My weakest character trait (and I’m working on overcoming it) is believing in the best of people. When I see the worst in them, I acknowledge it and sever ties with them. I know how to love from afar.
For those who think that having an affiliation with a religious institution is important, let me say this. My relationship with Jesus Christ is far more important than an affiliation with any religious institution since they “change” and Jesus does not. I’m happy with my relationship with other believers and even those who don’t. Neither belief or unbelief changes who I am or how I try to live life as a living representation of who God is.
So, now do you think I’m qualified to run for president? Only the voters will make that decision and I hope they find in my favor and elect an Everyday American who cares about all people, rather than a career politician, or entertainer simply because they have the money or family name. I want people to research who I am and determine for themselves whether they think I can represent who they are and address their needs.
maryhallrayford 