Congressional Credentials?

Let's consider a great misstep in the makeup of our governing body, as defined by the Constitution of the United States. A Representative (e.g., member of the House of Representatives) shall be at least 25 years old, a U.S. Citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state which he/she represents. A Senator shall be at least 30 years old, a citizen for at least nine years, and a resident of the state he/she represents.

That it! That's all! Game over.

Uh. Consider this:

• Any person performing primary health care on a human body (e.g., A Doctor or a Nurse or a Limited Practical Nurse etc.) must have a license proving minimal competence at their craft.
• Any person practicing law within this country must pass a lengthy and difficult test and be licensed within their state of residency before they may perform those tasks.
• long-haul truck driver must have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) proving competence before they may mount their vehicle and join the throng on the road.
• A teacher must be certified and licensed before they are allowed to have any lasting effect on our children.
• Airline Pilots are required to pass tests and continually train at their craft before they take responsibility for the lives of everyone on that craft.
• Anyone driving an automobile must pass practical, written, and vision tests before they may legally drive.

Let's skip to the chase, shall we? That 18-year-old high school dropout, foreign student here for the summer, or even the undocumented immigrant, passing you a meal through the drive-thru window at your favorite fast-food restaurant must pass a test and possess a Food Handler's Card before they take your health in their hands.

Yet any one of the 535 men and women sent to the Legislative Branch of the United States Government to govern, expend the wealth of, and guide this nation into the future need only possess sufficient age, time in citizenship, and residency to undertake the daunting and important task of guiding this nation and having lasting and important effects on 300 million people.

They don't have to prove a working understanding of the Constitution. In fact, they don't even have to be able to read it. There is no requirement that a member of the Legislative Branch have a working knowledge of the Federal Budget or the interrelationships of international trade or finance. Nope! They're not even required to be able to add 2 + 2.

Does anyone else see the inherent risk here?

Stick around. In the next post, I will 'blue-sky' a simple 'Citizenship Test' that anyone desiring to participate in the governing of this nation should be required to pass. It's only fair. After all, I had to pass tests to get my high school diploma, my Bachelor's, and my Master's, my Driver's License, my Pilot's License, my Navy commission, oh, and my Food Handler's Card.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to subscribe.

Karl