The Best Person for the Job

The qualifications for the job are still the same. Since 1787, the United States Constitution states that the person must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years. The job description is still the same. The person is in charge of our government and Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces. The person also acts as the Chief Citizen, Executive, Diplomat, and Legislator of our country. And since 1951, the length of the job is still the same. It is limited to two four-year terms.

Electing a president has been an event I’ve always looked forward to. It has filled me with a sense of pride, empowerment, and hope. I’ve always been proud to be an American with all the rights and privileges I’ve been given by merely being born in our country. I’ve always felt empowered as I’ve had a say in who became president since I could cast my vote. And I’ve always felt hopeful that the person elected whether a member of my chosen party or not, was trustworthy, respectful, and most importantly, a person who cared, and would keep our country and all of us citizens safe and secure.

Forever an optimist, in recent years however, my enthusiasm, faith, and confidence in candidates and elected officials has been shaken. Mostly I feel sad, but there’s a part of me that is angry, too. The sadness comes from hearing and seeing the reprehensible behavior of candidates and elected officials in the media. I can’t pinpoint the day I first felt my disappointment, but it may go back to the 2016 Presidential Debate between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump. There was a shift in tone, language, and topics raised. Among them Trump’s tape bragging about his aggressive sexual advances on women, Clinton’s email practices, Trump calling the Democratic party “the devil” and Clinton referring to Trump supporters as “deplorables”. It was difficult to watch and hard to believe.

Even harder to believe were the events that unfolded on January 6, 2021.

From my journal: January 7, 2021, Newbury Park, California

“This is extremely upsetting… makes me sick to my stomach figuratively and physically. Four people have died so far…many more were hurt…it’s just awful what happened at the Capitol yesterday. How could anyone go there and do what they did? Smashing windows, attacking police, taking over the building…There’s such a lack of respect…what the mob did is a crime…so animalistic…barbaric…”

Seeing the news footage of the attack on the United States Capitol was horrifying. A peaceful protest is acceptable, but storming a government building, then violently assaulting and killing people is not. Where was our president during all of this? Was he looking out for us and our government? Was he keeping our country safe and secure?

With the 2024 election just months away, campaigning for the presidency is well underway. And in the last few months, Republican debates took place. I began watching two of them with the intent of learning how each candidate planned to lead our nation forward. I wanted to know where each stood on issues affecting our economy, foreign policies, and women’s reproductive rights. The rules of conduct were stated at the start of both debates. However, within ten minutes, what I saw and heard were candidates interrupting and insulting each other and evading answers to the questions asked. The only thing I learned was I wouldn’t be tuning in again.

The anger I feel comes from witnessing people in power not living up to their promises or even the oaths they took. I also feel mad when I think of kids being exposed to the unending barrage of negativity. Are they being desensitized to poor conduct and behavior? How do they view what they see and hear? What examples are being set for our next generation?

Today we celebrate President’s Day in honor of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington is revered for being our Founding Father and setting several important precedents as our first president. Lincoln is most often regarded as the greatest president for his leadership during the Civil War and for abolishing slavery. In my lifetime 12 presidents have led our country, from John F. Kennedy to Joe Biden. Did they all uphold the U.S. Constitution? Were they good leaders? Did they keep us and our democracy safe? Were they people of sound character? Did they leave our nation better off when their terms ended or will end? I’ve been thinking of these questions, and maybe the most important one lately. That is, who is the best person for the job now?

I still believe leadership counts. The person should lead by example, be well-informed, and articulate. I still believe experience counts. The person should understand how government works, the importance of laws, and how to work with others. And I still believe character counts. The person should have integrity, be respectful, and have the courage to stand up for what’s right.

Although discouraged, I know I’ll have to make a decision in November. Times may have changed. What appears in the media may have changed. But who I believe the best person for the job of the President of the United States should be, hasn’t changed, not since I have been old enough to vote.