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Restrictions on Election Candidates
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| St_Andrew |
Okay, so in some countries you have restrictions on who can get elected.
For example, in the US you can't be president if you are not born in America.
In France you have to be a certain age before you can join parliament (think it's like 30 or something)
There are tons of more.
My point is tho, why the hell would you have them? Is there anyone in here that thinks it is right that I can't vote on whoever I want to? Personlly I think it's some really serious restrictions on our democratic freedoms! In a democracy you should be able to vote on whoever you want to. |
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| Chris Larkin |
As I understand, in the UK, you can stand for parliament at 21, and there are no restrictions on the age of the Prime Minister (though they have to be an MP, and therefore must be 21).
The UK rules don't seem too restrictive, although it seems a bit daft having them at all. That one on the US President is crazy, but no doubt someone can justify it. |
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| St_Andrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by Chris Larkin
As I understand, in the UK, you can stand for parliament at 21, and there are no restrictions on the age of the Prime Minister (though they have to be an MP, and therefore must be 21).
The UK rules don't seem too restrictive, although it seems a bit daft having them at all. That one on the US President is crazy, but no doubt someone can justify it. |
My point is still, why have any restrictions whatsoever, since this is someone who's getting elected? If you don't like him for whatever reasons (he's not old enough, he's not a "native" etc) don't vote for him!!! If enough ppl vote for him, then he's clearly good enough anyway? |
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| josh4 |
| quote: | Originally posted by St_Andrew
My point is still, why have any restrictions whatsoever, since this is someone who's getting elected? If you don't like him for whatever reasons (he's not old enough, he's not a "native" etc) don't vote for him!!! If enough ppl vote for him, then he's clearly good enough anyway? |
the public is stupid. you need these things for a country to protect itself from itself. just because the majority thinks they are the man or woman for the job doesn't mean they really are. take america's president for example. i rest my case. |
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| St_Andrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by josh4
the public is stupid. you need these things for a country to protect itself from itself. just because the majority thinks they are the man or woman for the job doesn't mean they really are. take america's president for example. i rest my case. |
So why not ban everyone from texas while you are at it :conf: |
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| Marc Summers |
| quote: | Originally posted by St_Andrew
My point is tho, why the hell would you have them? Is there anyone in here that thinks it is right that I can't vote on whoever I want to? |
I put 100 bucks down, saying you would have voted for hitler. |
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| St_Andrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by Marc Summers
I put 100 bucks down, saying you would have voted for hitler. |
Yeah, someone advocating democratic freedoms seems like a potential Hitler supporter!
Great logic dude  |
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| Yoepus |
The US restriction on native born was designed to prevent a British/foreign insurgency. Simply put you can have a foreign spy become a US citizen and propped up to become president by foreign money.
Today you could make a hollywood movie on the following scenario:
a Chinese agent becomes a US citizen and funded by Chinese money buys enough ads and PR to win his presidency, when he becomes president he gives away all national secrets to China and exerts his power to better Chinese interests.
As unlikely as this sounds today it is possible, and back in the day when the US was in its infancy it was much more possible.
There are also age restrictions in the US on the president and congress. And of course there are term limits on a president (this was amended to the constitution after FDR who won three terms to prevent possible tyranny). |
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| St_Andrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by Yoepus
The US restriction on native born was designed to prevent a British/foreign insurgency. Simply put you can have a foreign spy become a US citizen and propped up to become president by foreign money.
Today you could make a hollywood movie on the following scenario:
a Chinese agent becomes a US citizen and funded by Chinese money buys enough ads and PR to win his presidency, when he becomes president he gives away all national secrets to China and exerts his power to better Chinese interests.
As unlikely as this sounds today it is possible, and back in the day when the US was in its infancy it was much more possible. |
Well, there's no rule in the constitution that the secretary of homeland security can't be a foreign, and he probably knows more secrets than the president...
I could see the potential risk, but 1. the president is not the only one holding all this info, and 2. it's extreamly unlikely to happen.
Really doesn't make a lot of sense.
And out of a democratic perspective it's extreamly wrong imo. |
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| Marc Summers |
| quote: | Originally posted by St_Andrew
Yeah, someone advocating democratic freedoms seems like a potential Hitler supporter!
Great logic dude |
That's sarcasm, I guess.
But, you forgot that hitler was put into leadership legally do to the support from the majority. |
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| trancaholic |
| quote: | Originally posted by Yoepus
Today you could make a hollywood movie on the following scenario:
a Chinese agent becomes a US citizen and funded by Chinese money buys enough ads and PR to win his presidency, when he becomes president he gives away all national secrets to China and exerts his power to better Chinese interests.
As unlikely as this sounds today it is possible, and back in the day when the US was in its infancy it was much more possible.
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It seems to me that the flaw in the system here is not the "being foreign"-part, but rather the "enough money to buy the presidency"-part.
In Denmark we have a requirement that people voted into parliament has to promise to abide by the constitution and be a declared democrat. I don't think the same restrictions aply to candidates for city council and the like, as the nazis are running there this fall. |
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| Lepanto |
Andrew, the public face of the country isn't the Sec of Central Intelligence, it's the President. It's just like being a CEO and having a good image, and I realize Bush doesn't fit the profile one bit but whatever.
Also, Yoepus isn't too far off. When the this country formed there were spies and agents and double agents running all over the place. Also, the Constitution isn't the only law in this land. |
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