Start at Bottom, Political Celebs

* Re “He’s the Perfect Candidate for the White House,” Dana Parsons’ column, Oct. 10:

If the wealthy and the famous continue to get involved in the presidential race, Dana Parsons’ idea of Dennis Rodman running for president might not be so impossible.

As United States citizens, our job is to elect the ideal president for the job of America’s commander in chief, but hasn’t it gone too far when almost anyone who has attained wealth can run?

Warren Beatty, Arnold Schwarzenegger and other actors are for the most part good people who want to make a positive change, but they lack the political experience and in most cases the political education.

Most Americans expect a presidential candidate to have held political positions before running. If they want to make a difference, there is no reason why they can’t start on the state level of politics.

Americans want to know if candidates can effect change and if they are good leaders. Those starting out in politics should not begin at the presidential level.

I couldn’t agree more with the framers of the Constitution who wanted any type of citizen to be able to be president, but it is necessary for the president to have some political experience.

I also believe that those with wealth and fame gain an unfair advantage over any politician with experience. Is it fair that Donald Trump has an almost unlimited amount of money to spend on a campaign? Is this constitutional? I can’t see how it’s equal opportunity.

Wealth and popularity are not the measure of good leadership; experience and effectiveness are.

RYAN ZAFFUTO

Laguna Niguel