Should there be a constitutional amendment?

Question

forbidding a failed businessman to run for president?
Make that any businessman! Shouldn't there be a constitutional amdendment that "no businessman" would be elgible for public office. Just allow congressmen and senators who have a record of public service and pleasing the voters and not the special interests?

Ban the Businessmen?

add to that, the investment bankers and former CEO's.

Rick N acts as if businessmen are the cream of society. According to Rick, all the benefits of mankind are brought to us via the businessman. Sorry RickN. I think more valuable contributions are made by others. Scientists, Doctors, Writers.

to Liberals...Who said anything about career politicians? Those are your words. I say if they don't represent my interests (that's why I voted for them) vote them out. Make the voters, not the special interests the focus of the politicians attention.

Arbee sees the president as a CEO. Thats not the reality. Congress is supposed to do the things Arbee thinks the president is responsible for. If they don't do what they are supposed to do, vote them out. Thats democracy.

to Phoenix...This amendment would encourage people to pay attention. Too many people have given up on politicians and blame the special interests. If politicians were accountable to the voters instead of business interests, voters may become more responsible.
The public are fools. This amendment would be like putting the poison out of reach of the infant children attracted to the sweet fragrance.

BAN THE BUSINESSMAN

Answer 1

Voile!

Answer 2

I disagree. I believe that what America really and desperately needs is a successful pragmatic businessman as president. Such a president would be best qualified to get the national finances in order, and with that accomplished and wasteful spending reduced if not eliminated, much more could (and should) be done for our poor, our elderly, our unfortunate. Politicians are famous for being unable to make rational financial decisions, and that is why, with all our wealth and resources we have the homeless, the hungry, the sick, the poorly educated. The country has the wealth to rectify all these problems, but as long as spending decisions are made by politicians these and more problems will continue to be under-financed or completely ignored and to get worse on an almost daily basis.

Answer 3

No, I think it is implied that ANYONE, businessmen, bakers, candlestick makers can run for president. I also think that there is an implicit argument that we WANT experienced businessmen working in the business of negotiation.
I however, grant your premise that far too many politicians come from the private sector of banking, business, and far too many corporations have influence in politics.
The responsibility is on voters to become more responsible and more informed and vote for the right person, not the popular or flashy candidate.
Restrictions via the Constitutions are not the answer.

Answer 4

I'm not exactly sure what such a ban would accomplish. In fact, it would likely be a breath of fresh air to have a businessman running for President. Politicians are used to living off the public dime, playing with and spending other peoples money. this is why we spend $500 each for hammers and toilet seats in Washington. Businessmen have at a MINIMUM worked their way up through buisiness which generally requires you to be familiar with budgeting principles (especially the concept of following a budget).

Never forget, it's your money... not the politician's money that they are spending!

Answer 5

Businessmen is a pretty general term. What if they candidate was a small business owner or was in business many years before office? Besides, what makes congressmen and senators insulated from special interests? They receive their funding from special interests just like "businessmen" would.
Also, the constitution wasn't made for changing on a whim, that is why there are other laws that can set limits.
Finally, it seems like your upset that no one likes your idea. If you can't handle answers you don't like, you shouldn't ask questions.

Answer 6

Why ban anyone from running? If we the people elect a business man, then that is our fault. Remember, Reagan was a business man (ran the screen actors guild), Bush 1&2 were both business men (oil), Clinton was a business man (remember Whitewater?), Jimmy Carter was a business man (peanuts anyone?) and the list goes on.

Answer 7

Our Constitution is a precious and perfect thing and is not to be messed around with for frivolous things.

If the voting public is so stupid as to vote for a person with questionable credentials, they deserve the president they get.

See: George W. Bush

Answer 8

That's a good idea...NOT! Bascially you are saying that the career politicians are the trustworthy ones? Why is it that liberals feel that the only job of public officials is to "please the voters?" Their job is to do what is in the best interest of the country.

Answer 9

no as long as you are over 35 and a citizen that was born in the USA and lived in country for the last 10 year it is fine oh yeah that's what the constitution says

Answer 10

STOP trying to legislate everything little thing into the Constitution! You don't mess with the grand document for these piddly little wishes. Soon you'll find yourself with no rights at all.

Answer 11

Uuuh - no. A businessman/woman has just as much right as anyone else. Where and how they get the money to run is what I worry about......