What would happen if people had to pass a security clearance to Top Secret before they could run for or be appointed to national office?

2016-12-29T11:10:38-05:00

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 11:11 AM

2016-12-29T11:11:42-05:00

The country would be in a lot better place.

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Dec 29 at 2016 11:18 AM

2016-12-29T11:18:38-05:00

I guess I should follow up with a 2nd question, would it be a good idea to require people to get a TS before they can run for national office?

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 29 at 2016 11:20 AM

2016-12-29T11:20:03-05:00

This is one that has been tossed around for Decades... and Probably one reason they don't have to pass a Clearance background Check... Most would FAIL...
I know for a fact it was suggested and even tried...
when a Local NC Representative was Elected and had to have a Security check he failed outright and the next election he was on his way to Jail...

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 29 at 2016 11:28 AM

2016-12-29T11:28:27-05:00

Having never looked into it.. I guess I just assumed that would be a prerequisite.

I mean, a 18 year old privet cant complete AIT as a rigger unless they can be issued a security clearance of secret.

Are you saying the candidate for president, a job position that will run across the most sensitive secrets in the world, is has not passed a security check BEFORE they run?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 11:38 AM

2016-12-29T11:38:23-05:00

This would make giving security clearances way to political. I do like the intent I just fear that it would be used for personal gain even more.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 29 at 2016 11:48 AM

2016-12-29T11:48:32-05:00

No one would be able to run or the TS clearance would need to be replaced with one that actually meant something.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 11:48 AM

2016-12-29T11:48:45-05:00

@cpl joshua caldwell All politicians would fail because of a lack of integrity

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Dec 29 at 2016 12:32 PM

2016-12-29T12:32:34-05:00

There would be a lot of vacancies in those national offices.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 12:35 PM

2016-12-29T12:35:43-05:00

It is a bad idea. Either it would result in insiders being the only ones able to run for office since they would be the only ones with clearances or it would be very expensive for the government and result in too many people having clearance they do not need. The second result would be if the government had to conduct the investigation for everyone that had a desire to run. Just because they run doesn't mean they would win and they only need the clearance if they win. This would strain the investigation system more than it already is for unnecessary reasons. There are all sorts of people that run for office that really have no chance of winning but it would be wrong for the government to deny them a background investigation just because whoever currently held the office did not think they had a chance since sometimes incumbents do lose elections.

Response by Iona Kranz made Dec 29 at 2016 3:07 PM

2016-12-29T15:07:00-05:00

It would be a beautiful and right thing to do. May have saved us some trouble the last 8 yrs.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 5:00 PM

2016-12-29T17:00:41-05:00

Well ... the cuckquean wouldn't have been able to run for so much as dogcatcher in the last election ... albeit she could have run for dog.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 29 at 2016 8:18 PM

2016-12-29T20:18:52-05:00

Reagan would have been the last president ever.

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Dec 30 at 2016 1:05 PM

2016-12-30T13:05:01-05:00

I think there would be some extreme vetting