Constitutional facts: this educator would like politicians to focus on important stuff

The President of the United States

There are only a few legal requirements for someone who wants to run for president. Those requirements include: he or she must be a natural born citizen of the U.S., must be at least 35 years old and must have been living in the U.S. for at least 14 years. The reason a candidate must live in the U.S. for 14 years is so that he or she has firsthand knowledge of the issues faced by Americans.

The Constitution makes it clear who is eligible to be a presidential candidate, stating that any person wishing to run must be a natural born citizen. Meaning, immigrants cannot run no matter how many years they have lived in the United States. A person is considered a natural born citizen if he or she is born abroad to American citizens. Only one of the candidate's parents has to be an American citizen for the candidate to also be considered an American citizen and be eligible to run.

Nowhere in the constitution does it define what religion a president should be, or how pious they should be as part of the job.

Separation of church and state

A phrase used by Thomas Jefferson and others expressing an understanding of the intent and function of the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States which reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Meaning you can practice whatever religion you want and laws should not be made or influenced based upon a religious belief.

The United States of America is a strong vibrant country, it is not perfect, but it does alright. Why is “fear” a huge part of the political dialogue on both sides of the isle? Why are we not hearing about hope, prosperity, and unification in this political season?

I am not worried about Islamic terrorists, I am not worried about Zika,; I am worried about economic stability and making sure my family is taken care of. I am worried about the perpetuation of the constructed divide between humans (we are all one race), I am worried that the system of inequality that exists for some portions of the population will not be solved because we do not talk with one another. It also bothers me that true epidemics that are costing the lives of thousands of citizens yearly are being ignored.

Politicians, citizens, and human beings: PLEASE STOP AND TAKE A BREATH! Use logic, think, and do not feed into this great machine of hate and vitriol that is our political season.

Believe in America, its laws, applied to all equally; do not believe in the parts that are convenient when it is convenient.

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam