A majority of Americans have been sold the idea that "experience" is an important qualification for elected office. The problem is we fail to have or create a valid definition of what kind of "experience" is required.

In the current Presidential race "change" is the theme most Americans support. That said, it is our individual and collective responsibility to decide specifically what changes we are seeking in each main area of policy that affects our lives like the economy, healthcare, education, immigration, national security, etc. Without this kind of basic thought we cannot judge a candidate.

I propose we need a President who has a record of taking on unpopular positions - fighting for the underdog or under-represented. Someone who has a record of assuming positions that many thought they could not handle, but successfully handled them while establishing consensus and respect even among their dissenters.

We have many things wrong in our system that need new vision. Experience in our current system comes with established relations with lobbyists and special interest influencers. I want a President to come in fresh. Someone who will have to be sold on proposals before they support them. In fact I want that for all my elected representatives. It is what our forefathers intended when they established term limits.

There is a definition of insanity which can be summarized as 'doing the same thing. Expecting a different result." Using that definition, and wanting a change in the way Washington is run, it could be defined as insane to vote for anyone based on their experience in the current system.

Bottom line, if politicians will say and do anything to get elected, then I say we keep them having to say and do what we want more often.