If you are in the military in this country you must go through a rigorous security clearance process before you can be exposed to, work with, see or handle any classified information that could impact the security of the United States. It takes weeks and sometimes months for security professionals to check your character and background before a security clearance can be granted. Not everyone who is screened is granted a clearance, there are many reasons for denial of a clearance! As I understand the process if you happen to have prior illegal drug use, or perhaps have been engaged with former known terrorists you would be denied a security clearance.
Ironically, if you are elected to the office of President, Vice President, or one of the other 435 seats in Congress and/or Senate or you are appointed to a cabinet position you do not have to undergo a background check or security clearance investigation. Yet these folks have access to all levels of security information and there are more than a few instances where "loose lips" have cost American lives!
Wouldn't it seem reasonable that anyone running for a national office should be required to obtain a security clearance before they could even enter the race for a national office?
I would bet serious money that if this were the law we would see an significant improvement in the quality of applicants and leaders who run this country and a much needed improvement in the security and safety of this great Country!
Just a thought!
Inside the beltway would be the only place that this would make sense. Who in the world would ever expect a politician to keep a secret if leaking it would somehow advance his/her own personal agenda and to heck with the good of the nation.
ReplyDeleteRhett G