WARREN D. GRANT: Who’s qualified to be U.S. president?

Page Two seems to remember an article that expounded on the “best qualified” to lead this country. I’m neither a die-hard Republican nor Democrat. What I gleaned from it was the writer gave Hillary Clinton the nod for being best suited to lead this country. It was because of the many official offices she has held. “The Donald” was not qualified because he was just a billionaire and had not run or held elected office.

Our elected officials do not have to prove any ability to hold office or run this county, state or country. We hold our veterinarians to a higher standard than any elected official. Politicians are not required to take a test or show proof of ability. They are not required to attend any school of higher learning or graduate with any diploma that shows they have studied and been tested to see if they can do the job.

The only thing a career politician must do is find enough fools to continue to vote for them, and that appears to be the easiest part. Once elected, we the people are like a bunch of rats following the Pied Piper, salivating over the music being played and re-electing officials, many times without the slightest indication that we’ve done our due diligence to see it is in our best interest.

Many will vote for Hillary on the basis of her being a female, hoping to help elect the first woman to the presidency. Hardly a qualification in my book. Many will vote for Trump based on his rhetoric and getting people stirred up, regardless of his promises or his ability to keep any promise he makes. The same goes for any promises Hillary makes.

Here’s my opinion. Trump has good points, but unless he bypasses Congress like Obama, he can’t do anything without their help. Hillary has been around, but I don’t believe anything that comes out of her mouth. I cannot forget Benghazi and her testimony before Congress. Can Trump play the Pipes? I don’t think so. Can Hillary? She doesn’t have to. If we’re not very careful, in November we could easily vote the end of the United States as we know it.

WARREN D. GRANT

Albany