Does any person here ever wonder why common people cannot become President of the United States?

Question

I have noticed that only Rich people can become President of the United States, don't you think it would be nice if just once in our recent history that a common poor person was supported by the Republican, or Democratic Party and then elected President.

I mean why can't Joe the Garbage man, or Fred the meat man, or Sally the hair stylist have an honest chance to become President of the United States of America if it is there desire to serve the people in that function, please tell me what you think?
Serious Answers Appreciated :)

Answer 1

Let's say that you started out as a farmer and wanted to be President.

You would be very involved in your community. You would build your business, so you could afford the luxury of serving your community.

You would run for small town public office. If they liked you, you would run for state office. Then Governor.

At that point, as a farmer, you would throw your hat in to run for president. Everyone across the land would admire you.

Your name would be Jimmy Carter. A well respected common person that achieved a most uncommon goal, and still works today for the good of mankind.

Answer 2

Of course, America was founded on the principle of having no king, no hereditary monarch, and no structured class divisions. The idea that was America was that anyone, with ability, gumption and hard work could achieve whatever they set out to do.

Though this ideal has not been achieved completely at any time in American history, the USA has come closer to achieving it than any other nation in history.

Sadly, the ideal seems to be fading away. Today, the office of president is almost treated as that of king. Worse than that is the cost of obtaining that office. In his first presidential campaign, George W. Bush spent more than $80 million just getting the Republican nomination!

Who has $80 million? Not the common man. The very rich are the only ones who can pony up that kind of money. This means that to become president today you either have to be very rich, of the very rich or supported by the very rich.

One question: would the very rich give their support and money to elect someone who wasn't going to serve their interests first?

The answer is visible in the tax cuts which have benefited the rich enormously, no one else very much at all and bankrupted the country. Perhaps the common man in China will thank the president when their country calls in the loans.

Answer 3

Well, I think that by the time someone becomes president, they have built a network and a funding base that makes it appear that they "have money".

The real question, I think, should be more along the llines of whether you can start poor and make it to the Presidency.

The answer to that remains a definate "yes"

Bill Clinton started out poor, was raised in a single parent household, and made it to the presidency.

I believe that Harry Truman was also not a man of particular means when he started out as well.

So if you start out poor you can definately get the top job, however, by the time you get to the top job you will have money and conections supporting you such that you will no longer have the appearance of being poor.

Jimmy Carter comes to mind as a farmer (though maybe not poor) who made it to the top job as well.

Answer 4

It takes an enormous amount of money to run a campaign, and the kind of people with access to that kind of money tend to be rich, or have made themselves so. There is also the element of the "old boy network" when it comes to choosing a candidate, and they know each other, not Joe or Sally or Fred.

And in the end, Joe and Fred and Sally haven't been trained in the intricacies of law, politics, economics, diplomacy, back room politicking, and international relations.

Answer 5

YOU have to learn what politics is all about to understand why wee get the leaders we do .several of them have humble beginnings but rose above the need to care for others and saw the chance to make lots of money by representing and supporting the rich who run everything.
SO you must first adopt the position that money and power is your GOD and you are willing to do anything to get more.
SEVERAL deals you make must screw the common man for your perssonel benefit .
THATS why lawyers make the best politicians .HEARTLESS soul-less monsters who only see winning as the goal and the truth of what is fair does not come into play at all only the rules and how to munipu;ate those rules ,to your own ends of winning.

Answer 6

Would you really want a common person as the President of the United States? Aren't you afraid of what Joe the Garbage man might do with his obvious ignorance of how the U.S. economy works?

Answer 7

You do have a point there, but I think the same is true of the political class in just about any country. Jimmy Carter told everyone he just a peanut farmer, but I think he grew a LOT of peanuts, not just a few hundred acres! Nothing wrong with agribusiness though.

Answer 8

Anyone can become President. That said, it takes money and experience in politics. And by the way, Bush is an idiot, and I am so glad I didn't vote for him. Even though it didn't do any good. The voting system in this country is flawed.

Answer 9

The common people you mention would probably not have the educational level or life experience that a president should have.

Answer 10

Common people seriously lack the money and BS required to run for, and hold the office...