It seems that our country over the years has lost awareness of the fact that senators make major decisions that shape the course of American lives. The most qualified individuals are those who have had administrative experiences, such as governors who have actually run the business of their state or individuals from the business sector.
The current selection process is flawed. There are governors who are selling their Senate seats, Senate seats occupied by the unqualified spouses of deceased senators and individuals who have a "platinum name" being considered for the position.
Such is the case with the recent suggestion that Caroline Kennedy should be the replacement for Hillary Clinton as senator of New York. Kennedy's only credentials are her immediate access to President-elect Barack Obama and years devoted to charitable works.
In these times, when senators are making major financial decisions that relate to billion-dollar bailouts, senators should be qualified to read and understand an income statement and balance sheet. The United States is a business and should be run as such. Nearly all of the states are currently running deficits with limited access to financial solutions. It is time that our process affords us the ability to select leaders armed with practical experience who can direct us to workable solutions.
-- Dan Scully, Oxnard