Anybody Can Become President

I seem to remember being told, probably in school, that anybody can become President of the United States. I think they told us that just to inspire us to work harder, and I don't think that any of us bought it. Now Donald Trump has proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, that anybody can become president. That's not the same, however, as proving that everybody can become president. The thing is, only one person can be president at a time, so that limits the number of available openings that will occur in your lifetime. Before you can fill one of those openings, you have to make a name for yourself, because nobody is going to vote for somebody they've never heard of. Traditionally, you do that by getting involved in politics at a young age and making lots of friends who will support you in your effort. Trump did it differently. First he inherited lots of money, made some more money, became famous, or notorious if you prefer, and then he got involved in politics. It just goes to show you that there is more than one way to skin a cat.

You don't have to be rich to become president, but it sure helps. Theoretically, a poor person could become president, but I don't think it has ever happened. Abraham Lincoln was born into modest circumstances, but he was a lawyer before he became president, and I have never heard of a poor lawyer. Of course other people might make donations to your campaign fund, but it helps to have some seed money of your own to get the ball rolling. Another thing you need, beside money, is lots of ambition and energy. Trump is about my age, and it makes me tired just watching him on television. I can't imagine having the energy to do all the stuff he must do on any given day. Ronald Reagan was more my style, taking naps in the afternoon, but they don't make presidents like that anymore.


In a manner of speaking, you could say that the system is rigged to favor the rich and well connected but, in another manner of speaking, you could say that, if it wasn't for the rich and well connected, there would be no system. Who else has the time, money, and energy to do all that crap?