Politicians should be certified.

[Locut0s]

We certify Drs and lawyers why not politicians. There should be a baseline intelligence test at the very least and no it shouldn't be easy.

I'd like to see them have go pass a random unannounced psych test to draw out their true characters. Have some random awkward racial incident come up that is hard for them to deal with but which to them seems to come out of left field. Document and film the incident. Similarly for other ethical issues. Attempt to bribe them, see if they sell out their country for personal gain. Do it subtly and always change the scripts so they never know.

Edit: Not good at dead pan humour I'm sort of 1/2 joking. As cherokeeprogressive pointed out you wouldn't really want this. Still sometimes it seems necessary.

[cherokeeprogressive]

1. Entrapment?

No thanks. Try it in Canada first.

[Locut0s]

2. I wasn't really being serious. Call it a 1/2 joke.

[cherokeeprogressive]

3. Yeah I thought as much...

AFTER I posted a reply LOL.

I prefer "consecutive term limits". Two in, one out. If you were effective, your constituents will vote you in again. If not, then "see ya".

[loyalsister]

11. elections are term limits

Elections every two yrs for congress and six for Senate:

"If you were effective, your constituents will vote you in again."

Since 2002 we have had them in MO and it has destroyed the institutional memory.

[Cleita]

4. I think there should be some process to pre-qualify them, like I would prefer

that they at least studied for a minor in political science while in college. I want to know that they have the intelligence to function in the office they seek and that if they have any mental or other health issues, that they are under the care of a physician who monitors their medications and well-being. A process like this would have eliminated the likes of Sarah Palin every being considered for elected office, not to mention the clutch of looneys that have followed her vying for and often attaining various offices they are too incompetent to function in.

[Half-Century Man]

10. One tiny point of discention

I don't want to limit membership in government to only college graduates. Good intelligent people may have not been able to attend college for a number of different reasons. Formal education is not the only education. If someone can win votes, let them. The chance of getting a bozo elected is worth taking , because we also might get a political John Lennon (imagine, if there were no corporate lobbying).
The flip side of that is; I know a lot of well trained idiots. The ability to beer belch out "fornacatum est" during spring break doesn't mean good leadership training.

[Cleita]

14. We demand it of our doctors, engineers and teachers.

How much more important it should be for our governing officials. It's my humble opinion of course, but I believe it has merit.

[Half-Century Man]

15. Merit or not..

I believe that if you can get the votes in spite of non-formal education; if your arguments are strong enough, you have the right to be elected. I also believe you have a better chance to win the lottery.

[loyalsister]

12. I know a few people who minored in PS

Some of them just spout off the conventional wisdom that they picked up from the textbooks.

[Fla_Democrat]

5. Some of them are certifiable, does that count?

[Cleita]

6. I was thinking the same thing. LOL! n/t

[mick063]

7. Don't put this on the politicians

Put it on the dumb shit voters.

Half the country can't get interested and another good portion will not open up to the full spectrum of discourse.
It is a shame that so many people in the future will suffer because of current apathy, ignorance, gullibility, and stupidity. Further, those that are well informed don't have a lot of good choices to choose from because many wait until after the primaries to be come politically engaged.


The politicians? They are just a reflection of their constituents as well as the money that pays for their campaigns.

[Locut0s]

8. That's true. The ultimate solution is...

The solution is simple and relatively cheap, education and poverty reduction. But then that doesn't get the votes out

[ruffburr]

9. They sure -

Need some kind of qualification, Look at what we've got without it, A bunch of shit bastard crazy greedy sell out their mother for some palm grease assholes , Who have sold out the country and it's people at every turn.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO QUOTE ME ON THIS ANYTIME

[loyalsister]

13. I think there's a pretty good process that has fallen apart

Candidates need to be mentored and groomed. A lot of that used to happen at the very early stages. School boards, city councils, county commissions, county auditors....
As well as various councils and committees. They would develop their skills as they develop legislative specialties which suited their districts, and eventually get elected to state offices before running for higher offices. Working the pipeline is the best way to groom candidates.
For example...
community organizer> president of law review> State Senate> Illinois Senator > president