by Samuilovna

Created on: April 05, 2007   Last Updated: April 30, 2007

I've always wondered why Americans always elected old white Protestant men for the office of president. What did these guys have that the rest of the population didn't? Did their race or gender make them better candidates? How could they truly represent the population when in reality they were a minority themselves?

In 2006, it was estimated that there are 0.97 males for every female in America*; thus, women outnumber men. Of the US population, approximately 66.8% are white, non-Hispanic*. Assuming the gender trends in America apply to race, only 32.9% (0.97/1.97*0.668=32.9%) of Americans are white males. Now, about 52% of Americans are Protestant*. This means that the percentage of white Protestant males in America is 17.1% (32.9%*0.52=17.1%). Why should this minority rule the country?

Historically, the wealthiest, best-educated people in the country belonged to this minority. Women stayed in the home cooking, cleaning, and raising children. African-Americans used to be denied freedom, not to mention an education. Native-Americans were herded onto reservations as the white settlers stole their lands. Asians and Hispanics had to deal with prejudice, too. So the only people who had the money and old-boys-network contacts to get onto the presidential ticket were white Protestant men. These guys also had the education needed to understand the key issues facing the country and communicate their ideas effectively. They made the rules, so they made sure that only they had the ability to seize and hold power.

However, things have changed. Slavery has been outlawed. Americans of all races and both genders have been given the vote. Desegregation got rid of the flawed "separate, but equal" doctrine. And now the equal opportunity laws are giving the stereo-typical minorities-women, African-Americans, Native-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and others-the right to a good education and fair hiring practices. Those with the determination to take advantage of the opportunities available and make something of themselves now find themselves in positions of power. So the stereo-typical minorities are entering politics.

Election 2008 may break the mold with a woman or an African-American winning the presidency-that is if a Democrat wins. The Republican candidate will probably be the traditional white Protestant man.

On April 4, 2007, it is still too early to see the Democratic ticket. However, I would not be surprised if it consisted of a woman and an African-American man. I will not

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