Problems of a Presidency

America's got a wealth of issues today. It's certainly debatable as to when it was in American history that its issues were most grave, deeply rooted, or numerous. Regardless there are many problematic areas today in 2008 needing resolution, and fast. Here's the list I can think of in 20 seconds or less:

1. Economic might/foundation - US place in the global economy
2. Consumer debt / Housing
3. Environmental and Resource abuse
4. Overpopulation
5. Religious differences
6. Racism
7. Health care
8. Legal system abuses
9. Corporate influence in government
10. Foreign policy

I'm certain every reader of this Blog has already come up with at least 5 more issues in their mind, and I'd likely agree to those as well. However, this post isn't about pointing out the negatives, (the media and candidates cover that extensively) it's about the best way to solve them.

Do me the favor of considering the running of America as a business for a minute. Think of it strictly in terms of the basic buckets of business: Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Marketing, Sales, and Management. Isn't it true that many of the issues list above can be dropped into one of those buckets?

The economic issues are gimme's (finance), but even something like racism could be dealt a much bigger blow if someone in the government took a more common sense type approach to fighting it - the type of common sense of approach that drives many high level management decisions in business, while mixing in the HR or social/human side. Instead of tapdancing around the issue and aiming for a plan that addresses, but not resolves, we simply perpetuate or mutate the issue, deferring any real progress. Taking a more aggressive and resolute approach might just push this closer to being an issue of the past. This is the type of "tough call" but "business is business" move that we often need but don't admit to.

So then, why then isn't this type of experience seen as more appropriate when picking the leadership for this country? As the next presidential election approaches, my hope is that Americans will place a emphasis on problem solving abilities among qualifications when evaluating candidates. We can turn this American business around quickly with the right leadership and problem solving abilities.