Dear Kristen Welker,
We expect any job applicant to have read the position description. Why should we not expect the same of our President?
In this case, the job interview panel is staffed by members of the press. Are we not entitled to know the candidate’s grasp of the Constitution, constitutional law and events in American history that have effected the presidency itself?
In all previous debates, most questions invite the candidate(s) to respond with an opinion (e.g. “Given the ongoing-Covid crises, what do you think should be done….”).
This allows the factless and feckless to dodge with vagaries and platitudes (“it is a total disaster” or “my healthcare plan is repeal and replace…”). These answers are meaningless.
This Thursday, we invite you to ask one question that requires the candidates to demonstrate factual knowledge of some information requisite for holding the office of the Presidency.
This might consist of a simple yet substantive question related to civics, constitutional law, history, or the constitution itself. (e.g. Please explain the Separation of Powers doctrine; or what five rights are granted within the First Amendment?).
These questions are as germane to our civic life as the break even price of corn might be to an Iowan farmer.
The questions could be adapted from an AP History exam, the Citizenship exam given to all naturalized citizens, or a basic community college or high school civics class. The questions should be more rigorous than what might be asked of a fourth grader, and less onerous than a “Literacy Test” in the Jim Crow South.
Some of us might actually expect a bit more. We all might benefit considerably if our President was subjected to a Jim Crow Literacy Test.
It shamefully reflects how far the bar has sunk that we can legitimately question whether the Commander-in-Chief has or will have the basic knowledge required to effectively govern this country. But such is our current predicament.
Perhaps we should draw the line RIGHT NOW and reveal whether our elected officials have a basic understanding of the laws and principles foundational to our nation’s governance.
Sincerely,
we the people