ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996 TAG: 9611060099
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN GRIESSMAYER STAFF WRITER
Imagine what the United States would be like if a kid were president.
Police officers would be replaced with Power Rangers. Brussels sprouts would be outlawed. And instead of wars, disagreements would be settled with games of Duck, Duck, Goose.
As you know, kids aren't allowed to be president. In the United States, you have to be at least 35 to lead the country. When the founding fathers wrote our Constitution, they probably figured that a kid wouldn't have enough experience and wisdom to be president.
But have you ever wondered what you would do if you were elected president?
Would you use your power to make yourself happy by buying a race car or getting back at the school bully for giving you a wedgie? Or would you do something to make the country a better place to live?
Alex Corcoran, a fourth-grader at Oakland Intermediate School in Roanoke, would do a little of both. He said if he were president he'd create his own baseball team and play catcher. He would pick Chipper Jones from the Atlanta Braves for his vice president (but, of course, he'd make Chipper stop chewing tobacco because "it's dangerous and sets a bad example").
Alex would even turn the White House into the Blue House with a fresh coat of paint!
But Alex would work hard to help people, too, he said.
"If I was president, I would probably give some money to people who need it," he said. "I'd help find homes for the homeless and give food to hungry people.
"I'd also try to make good decisions. I would help keep bank security and lower taxes to 6 percent."
This year, many Americans are wondering just who will make the best decisions for the country in the next four years. Tuesday, voters will choose our next president. Will it be Bill Clinton or Bob Dole?
Clinton has been our president for the past four years. . Dole was a senator for many years.
It's an important decision for voters because the president has one of the most important jobs in the country. He's in charge of the military and he represents the United States by meeting with the leaders of other countries. The president is also responsible for hiring many government workers and for making sure the laws of the country are followed.
When it comes to what they like in a president, kids and adults seem to agree: They want a president who's honest, fair and caring. Most of all, they want a president who will devote time and money to the people who need it most.
Monel Whorley, a second-grader at Preston Park Primary School in Roanoke, said a good president doesn't just think of himself or herself. A good president, she said, can't just go around treating people like dirt.
"If I were president, I'd make sure people didn't judge other people by what color they are," she said. "I'd do anything for the people if I trusted them."
Sound good? Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to let kids be president after all. Sure, they probably would install a swimming pool on the front lawn of the White House. And maybe they'd spend too much money on toys and Goosebumps books.
But kids would also try their best to take care of America.
Vaqueesa Foster is only a fourth-grader at Oakland Intermediate, but her ideas - like many other kids her age - are some of the same ideas the presidential candidates themselves have suggested.
"I think devoting your time to parents and children is important," she said. "And giving clothes and food to homeless people."
"And I'd paint the White House aqua."
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: If Alex Corcoran, a fourth-grader at Oaklandby CNBIntermediate School in Roanoke, were president, he'd have the White
House painted blue. color drawing