how come only the rich can run for president?
343658
because the reality is the rich people always run the country  its not going to change unless  someone put in a campaign law that evens the playing field and campaign reform   isnt going topass  as long as they control the senate and house the rich   i mean
603750
It would be very hard for an honest man to get into office. Our voting system is sponsored by companies and business and agencies. If their campaigns were by taxes and all had an equal say on their issues-that would be fair. An honest man could not raise the funds like Exxon and the Pharmaceuticals (and others)have for their candidate-who will support their issues-thus favors are owed . Sad but true.
1076031
anyone can run for office and hold a position as an elected official.No schooling is required.It is up to the person running to campaign for the position and presuade the people of the town,city,state or wherever he is running that he/she can do the job and is the best person for the job.It is up to the people to make their decision on who they want to vote for.This is one of our freedoms.
615582
Oh what bullshit about "Gods way of making us work hard..." blah blah blah...the majority of rich people were born rich. Alot of it happens because of the goverment, and location. There's many factors...but don't bring something like GOD into this. What a lame ass answer...
387695
We usually make a person president when he is around 80 years old. Hence no fast President only slow Presidents.
1181947
Because people have moved on?\nOr because billionaire George Soros has a new place to spend his money - perhaps he's directly buying Senator Clinton, instead of going through loopy intermediaries.\n\nFor the party of the 'little guy' they sure have a lot of millionaires and rich people running their party and calling the tunes.
1132796
If you look at the people running this country, they are part of the 3% of the wealthiest people. You never hear about someone who was making an average salary running for office, that's because it cost so much to run for political office. There you go.
218012
Actually, anyone can run for president, given the meet the criteria set forth in the constitution. However, governors are usually the chioce because the are dealing with a similar government structure, but on a smaller scale. They are responsible for managing the same types of affairs, whereas senators are merely the public's voice in the legislative brance of democratic goverments
492290
Well the basic requirements are:\n\n1. Be 35 years old.\n2. Have lived in the country for at least 15 years.\n3. Be a US Citizen.\n\nOther than that, it helps to have had some government experience. Most presidents come from the Senate or have been Governor of a state. It helps to have been political for a number of year, the more the better.\n\nThe last two requirements are more difficult. You have to be popular within your party, have great ideas and know how to implement them. You also need to be financially independent to some extent. Most presidential campaigns are funded by a combination of contributions and personal wealth.
603304
Because Presidents are supposed to be born in the country they run...\nIs just a rule, and I think it applies to every country.\nIt can be a bit shallow if you consider that if you arrived to a new country when you were 1 year old, you are practically from that country but... what can I say?\nYou can still be governor though. Ask Mr. Schwarzenegger.\n\nGoodluck!
858683
All citizens but especially politicians get to say they want to run for president.\n\nTheir parties get to decide who they want to support.\n\nOnce the parties decide which one candidate (or more) they want to support, they then go through the process of nominating them \n\n(Remember, there are more than one party-- and citizens get to run too, but they must get petitions saying so many thousands support them)\n\nThen there is a whole process of funding the run for presidency, the ads, travel and speeches and such.\n\nThen there is a primary to narrow each party down to one candidate.\n\nThen the people vote.\n\nThat's Democracy in a nutshell
327912
Everybody gets there a different way.  The only actual restrictions that I can think of off-hand is that you must be at least 35 years old and you must have been born in the United States.\n\nAlthough all of our past Presidents have been white males, they have had many different backgrounds, but perhaps the most popular aside from being born into wealth is probably being a lawyer or a general in the military.
965272
Yes. A person should be allowed to run for or be president an unlimited number of times.
1094145
If it was quick and easy, everyone would do it.\n\nGetting rich quick is not easy.  Easy work won't get you rich quick.\n\nThe highest-paying jobs are the ones few people can do, or want to do.  Do you have a unique skill that very few others have?
372493
The only people who get rich are the people selling you those things.  They package information that you can get yourself if you do a little homework.
528501
Very good and very idealistic question. One gets to local seats of power by commanding money. You come up with it yourself. No money, no job. Used to be we had political machines, not much of that anymore. Money is king when you have to buy TV time and yard signs. \n\nAfter that, it gets worse. You have to become a senator or governor to get any chance of becoming a Presidential candidate. Look at the pathways to those power posts. \n\nSorry, it has not been possible that I know of since maybe Harry Truman (and even then he had a powerful Kansas City political machine that got him tapped as VP).\n\nNot much equality there. No real people. What is it that Doug Addams said in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? Oh, "the job of the president is to distract us from who really runs things." That's right.
639771
A great many other presidents have been proof of this as well...\n\nIt is the sad lie that anyone can grow up to be President..it simply isn't true...You need vast financial resources, vast support and a vast network of connections...\n\nThat is why the common man could never achieve this office...\n\nI often wonder if a regular guy got in at the White House..if he couldn't be like the movie "Dave," and just use common sense to get our spending under control..and make the decisions that need to be made without fear of lobbyist disapproval and "stepping on any toes..."