To the Editor,
The President of the United States of America has a very demanding job, but what exactly are the job
responsibilities? The Constitution assigns the president two roles: chief executive of the federal
government and Commander in Chief of the armed forces. As Commander in Chief, the president has the
authority to send troops into combat and is the only one who can decide whether to use nuclear weapons.
As chief executive, he enforces laws, treaties, and court rulings; develops federal policies; prepares the
national budget; and appoints federal officials. He also approves or vetoes acts of Congress and grants
pardons.
Picking a President of the United States, many citizens think they don’t know the selection of the right
person. The election of the president and the vice president of the United States is an indirect election in
which citizens of the United States who are registered to vote in one of the 50 U.S. states, it’s territories’
and Washington, D.C. cast ballots not directly for those offices. “Experts know a president’s influence is,
by design, magnitudes weaker than the public perception: one of three rings of power. By constitutional
design, the three branches of government keep each other in check, and no matter how great or not a
single president is as an individual, the condition and party balance of the senate and judiciary they
inherent determine their fate at least as much as their ability does. Political campaigns stress the
individual, but what is harder to evaluate is their skill at working with other branches of government.” wrote
Scott Berkun
Politics needs psychology right now. The choice of the next President can destroy or advance human
civilization, given the power of this government at home and abroad. To choose a leader, American
citizens need direct and confirmed knowledge of the psychology of real political judgments. Ironically, the
public’s current political despair could wake up their conscious attention. Honesty, ability, and intelligence
are the three most important qualities that we should look for in a presidential candidate. Look for a
compassionate yet strong-willed person who would have respect for all individuals and their professions.
He or she would have to be dedicated to his/her position and preferably have experience in leadership.
Ability to act under pressure be responsible for actions that contribute approval of a candidate. Other
qualities I look for are persistence, his alertness to what is happening around him/her, and his/her desire
to have peace. Electing a person who is to the point and able to communicate with the public is essential.
We face real probabilities of massive horrors: war, depression, disease. – crime, ignorance, and anarchy.
“The greatest psychological danger this year is apathy, washed into our brains by propaganda selling
placidity–gentling the citizens into looking up at the stars rather than down at the snakes. Is politics full of
trouble? Okay, some say, to hell with it; just let some quiet master sweep worry into her/his closet so we
can forget about it.” Psychology Today
Unfortunately, there is not any requirement other than others in the Constitution that someone running for
President needs to take a test other than a medical exam. From a citizen’s perspective, it can help
determine whether a candidate will make an excellent addition to our government. Vote for a President we
base it on experience by analyzing the information given and making sound decisions on her/his honesty.
Since we as citizens do not see any physiological or written test making decisions on the presidency, we
must rely on the media, interviews, and speeches the candidate gives. Watch and listen very carefully if
he/she repeats themselves or lies. Make sure you FactCheck their remarks.
November 2020 will be one of the most important elections. Vote the person first, then the party. Look
for experienced, competent, enthusiastic, and most of all, honesty. The stakes are much higher. This
election is not about policy or partisanship; it’s about the principles of democracy. It’s about the longterm viability of the American republic. “Democracy takes decades to build and centuries to perfect.
Our tipping point has arrived. And this time, it’s not Democrats vs. Republicans on the ballot: It’s
democracy vs. authoritarian populism. We can’t afford to make the wrong choice.” Wrote Brian Klass.
Norman Halls
