Rafaela
College Place Middle School
Karen Mc Elliott's class

The U.S. president, perhaps the biggest celebrity in the country, a "commander in chief" as our constitution puts it, our leader. Millions look to him (or her) for answers in times of doubt. We are watching every move he makes and listening to every word he says. We depend on the president to do what is right for our country. So, if it’s such a big job, shouldn’t we make sure that the person who fills it is fully prepared for the responsibility?

Our constitution currently states that any natural born citizen of the United States who is over thirty –five may run for the presidential office. I think that this is a good base, but it needs to be narrowed down a little more than this. I believe that presidential candidates should be required to have at least successfully completed a high school education, if not a college degree. I feel that in order to run a country successfully you need to know how to read and write first. I agree with the age requirement. A person needs to have experience in the work force and with other people if they are going to consider leading a nation.

It is my belief that our president should be very nondiscriminatory and forbearing towards all peoples. He or she should not let their own personal beliefs affect their treatment of America’s citizens. The president should be able to keep an open mind towards situations and people. They should not shut out or discriminate a group because they have conflicting ideas or opinions.

As president, our leader should focus on improving our relations with other countries. The stronger these become, the less there is a possibility that we will have to have to resort to military confrontation. Our president should make an effort to understand the cultures of other nations. This could form a foundation of mutual respect and trust. I would hope that the president would make it a point to speak at least one other language, demonstrating consideration and interest in other cultures. It would be helpful if he or she had experience living in other countries, learning to adapt to the social and cultural values of another nation in order to be more open-minded and educated in foreign relations. He should have a good understanding of other countries views on the United States, increasing the possibility of understanding and empathy between nations, in order to increase comprehension of foreign policy actions, even if there is no agreement.

The most important skill that our president should have is that he or she needs to be an excellent communicator. A leader needs to be able to express needs, decisions and ideas in a well-informed accurate way without offending or upsetting those he is addressing. It is essential that a head of a country be able to speak truthfully, intelligently, and persuasively. The president should be able to argue for our country in a manner that convinces others of our necessities and requests, and give them reason to help and support us, while also reciprocating by responding to the requests for assistance by other nations in an intelligent manner.

The person who becomes president should support funding for education and advocate for programs that grow future leaders and an informed American public that can take a global viewpoint and empathize, understand and involve themselves rationally in

international affairs. It is difficult to get the public to support your policies and ideas if they cannot see beyond their American-centric view of the world. Therefore, it would be essential to globalize our education system and encourage all Americans to become more willing to participate in cultural understanding and linguistic diversity. The president I describe could be the example for all of us to follow and be proud of. It would be this president that would make the United states everything it has always promised to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. So, Mr. (or Mrs. President) if your out their please come forward, America needs you.

To: serve four year term as commander in chief.

Must be: U.S. citizen over 35 years of

Age, global, well rounded open minded,

An Excellent communicator.

Our country is depending on you

Contact: American populace