ReThinking If teachers took over the government with Sharon McMahon
Nov 1, 2022
Sharon McMahon, known as "America's Government Teacher," is a former high school educator who creates engaging content on politics. In this conversation, she explores how education shapes political discourse. She discusses the need for better qualifications for elected officials and the importance of public awareness in governance. They also tackle innovative ideas like using random selection for leaders and the introduction of educators into government for improved decision-making. A thought-provoking take on how to enhance democracy!
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Qualifications for Office
- The Founding Fathers implemented qualifications by limiting presidential voters to wealthy, white male landowners.
- They aimed to restrict power to those deemed "qualified" while reacting against European-style birthright sovereignty.
Meritocracy and Civics Tests
- The idea of the U.S. as a meritocracy isn't entirely accurate, as there are no minimum qualifications for holding office.
- A civics test, similar to the naturalization test, could be a basic requirement for candidates.
Constitutional Amendments
- Constitutional amendments are rare; the last substantive one passed in the 1990s.
- Amending the Constitution is challenging, but when changes occur, they generally improve it, unlike the Prohibition amendment.