But, and to keep this brief, I voted tonight. Absentee ballot.
No, I did not need the satellite broadcast from Church headquarters last night to make up my mind on Prop 8.
I wonder if the Church knows how close it came to getting into fuzzy territory with the IRS with some of their overzealous members preaching from the pulpit.
In our ward, for example, one elderly brother stayed at the microphone after the opening prayer and goes, "The bishopric wanted me to tell you that they endorse this proposition and you should vote yes on Prop 8."
Kari tells me that it's up in the polls as of today, 44% to 42%. I really do have mixed feelings on this whole situation, but I voted "Yes" for the time being because, like with most propositions, I think the wording is always kind of funny.
As for President, I think you know which side of the plate I was batting on that category this go-round. Hey, what can I say? Better luck in four years to the losers.
But one thing that really irks me about this entire upcoming election more than anything is the question that I have seen posed in a couple of different places. It is this: "Is Barack Obama qualified to be President?"
The answer to this question is a very simple one.
However, it is in all likelihood probable that this is going beyond the obvious qualifications and trying to suggest that there are some "other" criteria for this office beyond what is put into the Constitution.
Go figure.
It is a question which reminds me very much of the Temple Recommend interview.
Right before the interview is over, we're asked a very challenging question: "Are you worthy in every way to enter the temple?"
Has anyone ever been able to just willy-nilly say, "You betcha, Stake President! Give me that Recommend!"? Not I.
For non-LDS, that might not make much sense.
I apologize for the personal example.
But, for Church members, I know you know what I'm talking about. And for any candidate running for President, I am sure there is an equal hesitancy to just boldly go out and say, "In every way I'm qualified to be President of the United States!" It doesn't work that way.
So, what are the actual qualifications for being President of the United States of America?
Well, for you ignorant folks that would suggest Barack Obama, let's say for example, is not qualified for the office of President, let me assure you that according to the U.S. Constitution, he very much is qualified for the office. How so, you ask?
Well, the qualifications are much simpler than you might expect.
Age and Citizenship requirements - US Constitution, Article II, Section 1
No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
Term limit amendment - US Constitution, Amendment XXII, Section 1 – ratified February 27, 1951
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.
So, that's rather simple, isn't it?
You must be:
- a natural born citizen
- 35-years old
- living in the United States for 14 years.
I'm going to just point out that Obama, in this case, has met the criteria for eligibility.
Whether or not you intend on voting for him is up to you.
Whether or not he is qualified is indisputable.
So, I just had to get that off of my chest.
I feel better now.
2 comments:
Well in that case, my parents are qualified, yours, our grandparents, my bosses, my bishop, stake president. The list could go on and on.
That's my point exactly.
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