Should Only Geniuses Be Prez? (wage, campaign, ethics, Reagan)

[BudinAk]

Do you think it would help overall if we stiffened the qualifications to run for Prez, and VP....to where only geniuses are allowed to run? (those with tested IQ's of 160 and higher) And....to insure a decent level of motivation, should we boost the President's salary to, say, $10,000,000 per year, and $1,000,000 for VP? (I mean, why would they want to run for Pres. of U.S., when they can be pres. of a prestigious college or research facility and make MORE...?)

No more idiots in the WH....yeah!

[Nanny Goat]

Along, with psychological testing--that would have weeded the last one out.

[jmarquise]

no, look at the two brainiacs we having running right now. dumb and dumber, but I can't tell which is which.

[camping!]

I would much rather have a president that graduated from a state university and was well read and accomplished in a variety of things (economics, tech etc..) then a president that went to the 'right' schools and belonged to the 'right' clubs. But that is where we are now, though. Does anyone know of a president that didn't come from the Ivy League? Aside from Reagan?
Anyways, raw IQ is overated, it is what is done with the IQ you have that is more important imho.

ETA: No, the president should only be given a living wage plus free room, board, as well as an allowance to outfit the first family for entertaining other heads of state. Those rich bastards make more then enough money once they leave office as it is.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by Phoenix lady

Along, with psychological testing--that would have weeded the last one out.

As would have an IQ test

[songgirl]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

As would have an IQ test

And require an SAT score of over 900. That would knock Sarah Palin out of our lives forever

[sickofnyc]

As long as their views and policies were in the right place..YES!!!

[BigJon3475]

No college can prepare you for the presidency. It gives you a decent knowledge but the true experience comes with life, travels, ethics, presentably, adaptability and the ability to "Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out."

[ucfjtm]

Originally Posted by camping!

I would much rather have a president that graduated from a state university and was well read and accomplished in a variety of things (economics, tech etc..) then a president that went to the 'right' schools and belonged to the 'right' clubs. But that is where we are now, though. Does anyone know of a president that didn't come from the Ivy League? Aside from Reagan?
Anyways, raw IQ is overated, it is what is done with the IQ you have that is more important imho.

ETA: No, the president should only be given a living wage plus free room, board, as well as an allowance to outfit the first family for entertaining other heads of state. Those rich bastards make more then enough money once they leave office as it is.

Well said. In fact, I'd take a regular college grad, who's demonstrated to be smart on his/her feet, but willing to listen and compromise with those he/she disagrees with. However, personal conviction, determination, and past actions must prove he/she always strives to do what's right for the majority of this country within the intent of the Constitution.

I have a very strong belief that there are well over a hundred thousand US citizens qualified to be the President of the USA with regard to intelligence, temperment, poise, interest, and honor. However, the ability to fairly accept legislation that benefits the majority of the country without breaking moral bounds by what it is to be American is rare, especially with politicians. Our best president will have never been a politician, lawyer, or big business CEO. These are people who have been forced through the choice of their career to more strongly represent a few people out of many, and we need a President who is going to represent many people instead of the few.

Unfortunately, due to how the electoral and political system works, our best president may never get a chance to work in the Oval Office.

Edit: To the OP, no, we shouldn't have any restrictions in IQ to be President. Past actions and accomplishments should be far more than enough to determine if someone is the right person for the job. Maybe that's why this election is so close, even with a $600+ million campaign funding and media advantage for one over the other.

Edit2: As for salary, Presidents don't need financial motivation to take the job. $400k salary is plenty considering the vast sums that can be made for speaking arrangements after you're out of the White House. Just look at Bill Clinton's earnings.. $120+ million in 8 years he's been out, mainly from speaking appearances.

[BigJon3475]

Matter of fact college life for the past few presidents seems to have been drug filled bashes of frat boys.....Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Oxford, Columbia (we think)