At a minimum, Americans should insist the next president understands and values what it is that makes America great.
It's not Superbowl Sundays, NASCAR races or fireworks displays in July that makes it great. It's not America's status as the world's only superpower, replete with secret torture prisons, the ability to "disappear" people without judicial oversight or the inclination to launch pre-emptive wars on a whim.
America was great because of its Bill of Rights, its institutional checks and balances and its respect for the rule of law. America was great because its politicians couldn't fool as many of the people as much of the time as they do now. It was great because it always at least aspired to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Now we're terrified, as much through the efforts of our own president as by any foreign enemy. So, again, what we need is a presidential civics exam...and presidents capable of passing it.
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