The ex-governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations under President Donald J. Trump, Haley on Wednesday launched her campaign for President of the United States of America. She did so while condemning "trusting politicians from the 20th century," claiming "America is not past our prime. It's just that our politicians are past theirs," and declaring "America is not past our prime. It's just that our politicians are past theirs.
But Haley did not ooze contempt for the elderly without also suggesting roadblocks to politicians she deems old. She stated
And when it comes to our politicians, we’ll light a fire under them… Their job is not to say things on TV. Their job is to do things in DC – like solve problems instead of ignoring or creating them!
In the America I see, the permanent politician will finally retire… We’ll have term limits for Congress – and mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old!
Haley didn't say who would determine whether the aged politician is "competent," let alone what constitutes "competency" (traditional term: "competent"). Evidence suggests she has no clue.
Term limits are a terrible idea because they would empower the permanent bureaucracy at the expense of elected officials. Lobbyists would have a field day while officials with accumulated wisdom are shown the door. Also, readily available are term limits: elections.
Haley may not realize that the qualifications for U.S. Representative and for U.S. Senator are enumerated in the Constitution, which would make her- what- not competent?
More likely, she is aware that Article 1, Section 2 indicates that a Representative must be at least 25 years of age, an American citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state in which chosen. Section 3 of that Article establishes that a Senator must be at least 30 years of old, an American citizen for at least nine years, and a resident of the state in which chosen.
That's it- meet those requirements, and you can serve. There is nothing about a "competency test" nor an upper limit for age.
There were worse- far worse- remarks in Nikki Haley's announcement speech. But an individual aiming to be her party's presidential nominee should have a basic regard for the United States Constitution, as well as the right of the American people to select their own officials subject to the limitations set out in that document.
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