TheOlDickTwist
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Jul 15, 2026 4:06 PM
TheOlDickTwist
7216
490
18
Hortman68
I wish our political representatives had some sort of training or at least some testing to see if they know anything at all.
EggFooYung
Hoebert got elected with a GED. Literally the only qualifications for Senator are being at least 30yo, a citizen for 9 years, and to live in the same state you're elected in. That's it. When the Revolution comes, we're gonna need a better qualification list.
JohnWickdidnothingwrong
You can definitely argue that it's bad, but one thing it isn't is shocking, this kind of shit happens *a lot*. Usually it's the husband/wife, but being utterly unqualified except by relation is in no way an obstacle to a political career.
TheJomsborgViking
When the surgeon general dies, their duties fall upon the surgeon Lieutenant General. Only if they perform adequately will they be promoted.
multibeasthillsdale
Having any sort of credentials as a prerequisite for a job is an unknown in the head of the average MAGAstani death cultist
Kazpur81S
It’s on record that one doesn’t have to be smart to be in Congress; you just have to be electable.
Xenarion
What?
BlindMeach
Ahaa I was pondering this, thank you for clearing it up
hyperchondriac
One difference is surgeons need a lot of skill. GOP politicians just have to consistently lie to deluded morons.
AnythingMuchShorter
It's not like Lidsey Graham had any real qualifications or training. I'm sure here real bosses interviewed her to make sure she's a loyal lapdog
samanthadlcruz
i mean it makes perfect sense to the people that believe the someone that has an uncle that was a professor at MIT automatically makes them smart and that taking multiple dementia test proves they have a "high iq".
davebarton315101
This explains so much!
Wombatish
This isn't unusual on either side of the aisle. Whether it should be that way or not.
https://www.senate.gov/senators/AppointedSenators.htm
CraftyGiant
It's legal, because th4e governor gets to appoint the temp. The reason they chose her is 1000% because they have dirt on him that she wan't want exposed so they can control her.
Rink257
We were supposed to have a Special Election within 30 days, but whatever.
SMarkt
Of course. That is called a monarchy. It is exactly what free people fled from Great Britain to the USA to escape.
NotThatPrivate
I mean, it is a little silly, but it is common practice. Usually their spouse, but sometimes a relative.
Their staff will tell her how to vote on everything and it is just temporary.
I think the idea is that if they appoint someone who is running for the office, it would be seen as a big endorsement of that candidate.
StephenDaniels
Can't we please let the MAGAs vote on who does their surgeries? I really think that idea has merit.
Resistance1000
There's nearly 40 precedents for a spouse or child to be appointed to finish a Senator's term if it's getting close to its end, but Miss Lindsey had neither a spouse nor a child. er, I mean
JarJarDrinks
Every SC GOP state legislator has to be wondering why they were bypassed in favor of a political newbie with no legislative experience.
B3N15
No one is wondering or thinks they were bypassed, this is standard operating procedures. The goal for this appointment is not to nominate a successor its to warm the seat for an actual elected individual. How this usually rolls is that the appointment is only until a special election can be held and the person is sworn in (in this case, the election for the position is already in November) and that appointment is someone who won't be pursuing that office or is someone who isn't a political ...
B3N15
... entity. Family members were chosen because of their connection to the deceased Congressman, but sometimes retiring politicians were also chosen to prevent it seeming like the governor is trying to influence the election by giving their preferred candidate a leg up through incumbency.
RetrogradeLlama
Answer: "Because Daddy Trump declared it so".
... and my comment to the legislators: "The leopard just ate your face, too. Enjoy.".
bradmo
"Meritocracy," folks.
KuldFyt
Sorry, are you suggesting that Graham had relevant qualifications?
SonnyUtahna
To be fair, it doesn’t take training to just follow the Nazi orders.
Isorikk
To be fair, his sister is probably more qualified than he was
whoopsidaz
It’s dumb but it’s not new.
InablueMule
Can't be any worse than lindsay.
RetrogradeLlama
At first, I was annoyed by the Republican's idiotic move.
But then I realized that they just appointed someone to Senator who will spend the time between now and the end of their short term just trying to remember how to get to the bathroom and find the cafeteria.
I mean, sure, she'll vote the Republican side every time. But that was pretty much a given for any appointee. This way, they have one who is clueless and will do much less damage.
JohnSmithterms
Youre insane for putting up with a non elected rep doing anything. Fucking americans are so stupid.
BlindMeach
Erm… *points at trump
MCNewYorkLives
Why would trump not know where the bathroom is? He just shits in his diaper.
BlindMeach
I was pointing at cluelessness and damaging, but your point is also pointy:)
NotThatPrivate
I mean, it is a little silly, but it is common practice. Usually their spouse, but sometimes a relative.
Their staff will tell her how to vote on everything and it is just temporary.
I think the idea is that if they appoint someone who is running for the office, it would be seen as a big endorsement of that candidate.
NotThatPrivate
Which would tilt the playing field in the primary. So, even though this is weird, I think it actually helps preserve Democracy by not biasing the primary process?
Still weird, though
Eyeetsass
There should be no voting for that office until the resolution of a special election. Death is a pretty good time to have a special election. A vote should never ever be cast by an individual the people didn’t choose.
WindowStreetJournal
I've never heard about such practice in first world countries. If an elected official dies, there is either an immediate election for a new one or an official substitute (like a VP) carries the office until next election.
EggFooYung
It also depends on the state laws. In some states there would be a snap election, in others someone, usually the governor, appoints a replacement to complete the term. Some places might have a combination that depends on how much of the term remains. There is not a deputy or vice-congressperson that would automatically step up.
MundySeme
It is "common" in the sense that that was how everyone did things back in the Renaissance era political systems for Monarchy and Fiefdoms. In "Kingdoms" where political office is determined by family bloodlines, yes this was standard and well practiced.
Modern "Nation States" do not do this.
Democracies hold an election or have a pre-appointed running mate. Even in a Dictatorship someone would be appointed by a higher authority based on party loyalty, not family ties.
Wombatish
https://www.senate.gov/senators/AppointedSenators.htm
crazyspelling
The legal precedents for this bullshit are, alas, many, varied, and from the modern era.
zer0vector
There is no required training to become a representative
bippityboppitybuttsex
Sure there is.
New Member Orientation, a mandatory program for incoming representatives that covers legislative operations, office hiring, budgeting, and floor procedures. It is a bipartisan training session on how the House works and its rules.
It is spread out over a two-week period, basically 3-4 days of seminar with mentors assigned to new members to guide them thru processes.
kurvarVillain
There is no minimal moral standards required, either.
azgrak1
They just want a seat filler who will vote exactly how they want. I’m actually glad they weren’t smart enough to put someone in the seat who could win the next election.
Frankasti
Doctor: Training required.
Representative: Election required.
TheOlDickTwist
Yeah that’s comforting
Andersen81
Pretty sure there are several classes they have to pass. "How to ignore every single thing your voters say", "Smile, nod and vote against what is best for the country" and most important "Taking money from foreign powers"
Jamnew60
And when one of their constituents is killed, call the “thoughts and prayers” warehouse.
Comet260
And in the case of the GOP, "Be racist as fuuuuuuck."
TheOlDickTwist
😂
Margrave9000
There should be.
Voters constantly demonstrate why they cannot be trusted with electing the right people on their own. Experts and watchdog organizations must provide plenty of assistance on a well-designed process.
echonite
It may seem counter intuitive, but its a good thing there isnt. Otherwise that requirement could be changed to deny political opponents access representation. Same as to why criminal record shouldn't be a disqualification. The barrier for entry should be low so it can be used to silence opposition. In an ideal world, yes, it would make complete sense to do, but we are nowhere near an ideal world.
Margrave9000
France and Germany are blocking Nazis and their parties from running. Hungary is now cementing its democracy with a 'three terms and you're out'.
This will ensure a steady flow of new faces and an continuously strengthened rapproachment between ordinary people and the political class. And, of course, will protect democratic institutions from a Nazi power grab.
echonite
And it may work for now, but in say, 100 years, if those people manage to get in some form of power, slowly erode p.thise protections, then start shifting them to the people they dont like. No system is perfect.
Margrave9000
Whenever a democracy detects rightwingers abusing the political process and reaching for power, that venue must be blocked and reformed.
Defenses against fascism must evolve continuously. The enemy never stops.
LordFriteuse
France here : no we're not. While it is forbidden to display nazi symbols and make explicit calls for hate, the fascist parties here (National gathering, reconquest, and other) are in no way barred from running. Same goes with the german AfD.
Margrave9000
The Le Pen candidacy is being challenged, isn't it? You're blocking a candidate; Germany is trying to strike down the whole shebang if they finally dissolve AfD.
echonite
so it can't be used to silence opposition*
Margrave9000
Silencing the opposition is the right thing to do if said opposition is rightwing...
echonite
Sure, again in an ideal world, but look who is in power now. Should they have the ability to control those requirements?
beelzebob23
Comparing a surgeon to a politician is pretty ridiculous. Harder to be dumb as a post and get through med school.
d4m4s74
A bad surgeon only kills one person at a time and is eventually fired.
xmaneds
you are correct, the analogy in this post is flawed as hell. when darline replaces lindsay, she can only either vote "yes more liberal" or she can vote "no, let's be more conservative." those are the only options available to her: just a yes or no button. and she knows which choice lindsay would vote in any given case. this is about 8000 times *LESS* complex than surgery
BilltheCatisBack
Third option, just take long vacations and cash the checks. Avoid voting by not being there.
lovehandlesmessiah
Do you know what they call the person who graduates in the lowest 5% of their class? Doctor.
TheOlDickTwist
Cool, thanks for weighing in
huffnpuff72
But comparing appointing an unqualified person to a qualified one is appropriate. But yes, the 'qualification' for being a politician doesn't require education but it does require that the people choose you for your qualities, not the head of the organisation choosing by succession.
abrazenfool
Have you even READ the Constitution??
huffnpuff72
Why would I. Not my country.
abrazenfool
Read it again - in this case, the seat is to be filled by the State’s Governor
FckleberryFarms
That depends. How rich is your daddy?
beelzebob23
He's dead.
beelzebob23
Fuck you, whoever downvoted. Fucking asshole.
mohammadbinsalmon
maybe they thought it was a poorly thought out joke