Here we shortly after the presidential election and a lot of us could still use more actual information about the candidates. We could easily add more vital information in future elections. Offer each candidate the opportunity to take a battery of standardized tests on subjects such as the U.S. Constitution, Federal law, American history, basic economics and climate science, then publish each and every one of their scores. Should they refuse to take the test, make their refusal VERY public.
Donald Trump would have had to take such a test battery and have his scores made public knowledge OR publicly turn down the opportunity. Kamala Harris also would have the same opportunity to take them, have her scores reported or publicly decline. My guess is well-qualified candidates would take the opportunity while ignorant blowhards and clever bullshitters would not. Voters could still choose those who decline, to be sure, but their refusal would provide voters with useful information.
Why not require such tests? Because the Constitution sets the criteria for candidates and such an additional requirement would necessitate a Constitutional amendment. But we certainly could offer each candidate the opportunity and make the offer very public. It would function much like the debates. Except that bullshit doesn't fly on an objective test.
A professional testing corporation such as the Educational Testing Service to devise these tests. It's fun to imagine possible questions. I'm imagining serious questions involving knowledge relevant to future duties. But I can't resist adding a few that I would like to ask:
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Given an enormous federal budget deficit, which of the following would be best?
a. borrow still more money
b. cut taxes for the middle class
c. cut taxes for the super rich
d. spend only what is taken in
2. If an attractive female intern offers oral sex, a male public official should:
a. quickly agree before she changes her mind
b. make sure she doesn't keep the dress afterwards
c. politely decline
d. ask her what she means by "sex."
3. Should our schools decide to emphasize “good character,” the best person to exemplify such character would be:
a. J. Edgar Hoover
b. Richard Nixon
c. Bill Clinton
d. none of the above
4. If a terrorist attack on the U.S. originates in country A, the best U.S. course of action would be to:
a. turn the other cheek
b. invade country C
c. invade country B
d. none of the above
5. The Second Amendment is predicated on the necessity of :
a. self-defense
b. maintaining a well-regulated militia
c. preserving a viable small arms industry
d. none of the above
TRUE FALSE:
6. With the exception of James Buchanan, every U. S. President played par golf
7. Mexico is actually paying for "the wall," but in small, discreet installments
8. James Madison, the man behind the US Constitution, barred any and all Christian elements from that document.
9. During the Trump administration, Denmark really did have Greenland up for sale
10. The Bill of Rights contains a total of 12 rights
Alright, enough of this whimsy. We might also want to test all potential appointees to key administrative offices. These could be required by law. Attorney General or Secretary of Defense, for example. The tests would be keyed to the anticipated areas of responsibility. For instance, every aspiring state Secretary of Education would have to pass the same battery of tests required of aspiring teachers. If we use Pennsylvania as a model, for example, the candidate would have to pass separate NTE tests in Reading, Writing, Listening Skills, Mathematics and Principles of Teaching and Learning. We might also want to add a content specialty test in their college major -- aspiring secondary educators have to take one of these. We could even also require standardized tests in Elementary Education Content and Curriculum. After all, officials in the Department of Education tell teachers at every level what to do.
Of course, in any test of aspiring politicians or potential office holders, cheating will be an especially significant problem. Safeguards are absolutely required. At a minimum we must have different forms of the test in order to eliminate would-be candidates from copying each other's work. We also must put the tests under the tightest possible pre-use security. Remember we're usually dealing with would-be politicians and their minions!
That, in broad outline, is the plan. But it needs filling in. That’s where you can help. Tell us what you think. Should aspirants for and holders of public office take standardized content area tests? If so should we also measure wisdom, rectitude, practical knowledge, sexual predilictions, or what? Additionally, should we test just once, or test longitudinally every year that the person is in office? (Longitudinal testing has the obvious advantage of measuring whether or not the subject is learning while “serving” and/or declining mentally)
You might like to suggest specific test items. They need not be multiple choice or true/false as exemplified in this commentary. Any type of questions typically found on standardized tests are welcome. Short answer, etc, Rush your comments and suggestions to the Worm Turns Foundation. org, or post them here.
P.S. I also suggest asking them to publish their college transcripts. These folks are asking to be hired by us. So it certainly is appropriate to look into their academic record. (Donald Trump threatens Penn with legal action if they ever release his.)
To examine like issues, see articles at www.newfoundations.com
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