14 Jun Career Choices

“Growing up to be President is every child’s dream.” – The Lonely Realist

With AI threatening to wipe out entry-level employment in many of America’s knowledge-based industries, including medicine, law, accounting, and finance, a number of readers have been seeking career guidance for their erstwhile teenagers. To TLR, the choice is clear. A career in elective office is the optimal option. A government sinecure presents the best of opportunities for America’s youth.

The favored role, of course, is to be President of the United States (more on that below). Yet membership in the Congressional Incumbents Club, with the potential for lifetime employment, can be even better. Presidents are limited to two four-year terms under the 22^nd Amendment to the Constitution (although some profess disbelief in any such two-term limitation), but members of Congress and State legislators can serve indefinitely…, and they frequently do. In fact, it seems as if Congresspersons and their State counterparts seemingly serve forever. That perhaps explains why there are so many who aspire to government service elective office. After all, it’s difficult to overlook the opportunities that Congressional service creates, as they did for George Santos and Rod Blagojevich (who after serving in Congress was elected governor of Illinois). In addition to attaining power, stature and influence, Congressional membership comes with lavish benefits not found anywhere else in the private sector: a generous salary ($174,000/year); unparalleled business connections; little actual work obligations (up to 239 days/year off); Romanesque working conditions; a huge expense account (up to $3.3 million/year); bountiful all-expenses-paid “fact-finding” trips; a sizable staff that all-too often includes family and friends; exceptional medical, dental and retirement perks; nominal limitations on insider trading; an unlimited legal expense budget; moonlighting options; free transportation; and a family death benefit. No one in America wants to risk their job, their status or their income, yet alone all three, so those fortunate enough to be elected to Congress or State legislative office stop at nothing make every effort to retain a stranglehold on their jobs. It’s no surprise, therefore, that more than 90% of House incumbents are re-elected every two years and that 100% of America’s Senators were re-elected in 2022 and 88% were re-elected in 2024. No wonder corporations and special interest groups kickback spend lavishly to re-elect those who protect and enhance their interests.

Although not necessarily longer-termed, life can be even better for Presidents (with financial opportunities after the Presidency offering additional rewards). America’s Chief Executive can exercise almost limitless domestic and international power…, and often can do does so even when lacking Constitutional authority or Congressional/Judicial approval. Whether or not a President acts outside Constitutional bounds, his actions will make the history books, which is one of the reasons why those aspiring to the Presidency pursue the highest office – the ego ability to exercise power unilaterally is every child’s Dream. The only penalty for unConstitutional actions is impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate, a remote possibility that exists only for those Presidents lacking a devoted Senate minority. Presidents therefore do as they please (even without Supreme Court adoption of the “unitary executive theory”), facing merely public criticism and Supreme Court rebuke if they overstep Constitutional bounds – with the unenforceable reality being precisely what President Andrew Jackson allegedly said: “The Supreme Court has made its decision; now let them enforce it!”

But there’s more! Presidents also have the power to:

• Appoint friends, supporters and acolytes to senior government positions of power.
• Decide which laws will be enforced and which will not be enforced (for example, those that might adversely affect family, friends and supporters), and allocate government resources accordingly.
• Decide precisely where to allocate Federal Dollars despite Congressional spending mandates.
• Refuse entry to America based on, well, anything, and encourage entry to America based on, well, anything, including race, religion, national origin and wealth.
• Unilaterally impose taxes (for example, tariffs, even though unConstitutional).
• Eliminate the use of certain distasteful words (like “diversity, equity and inclusion”) and penalize those in private industry who use those words.
• Take retribution on enemies by utilizing or terminating the use of selected Justice Department, Treasury Department, ICE, FEMA, CDC, Secret Service and other government agency resources.
• Deploy America’s armed forces and military support wherever in the world (including in the U.S.) he wishes and withdraw American support from those places he wishes to “desupport.”
• Have a birthday parade…, with tanks.
• Hire and fire government employees despite contractual and Constitutional limitations.
• Pardon family members, friends, and those who provide financial consideration.

David Hogg exemplifies that very hunger for political power desire to serve the public. He has been America’s leading proponent of electoral careerism in urging young Americans to pursue a calling in politics. He founded a political action committee (Leaders We Deserve) organized “to help young, progressive candidates around the country get elected to state legislatures and the U.S. Congress.” He intends to personally pursue the American Dream by running for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2026. It seems that today, it is not the Dwight Eisenhowers, Bill Bradleys or Paul Ryans who are intent on seeking American political office. It is the David Hoggs.

Finally (from a good friend):