Pick president as you would a coach.

What if sports fans acted the way many voters are acting this year?

Suppose that fans, angry that their professional sports team is not performing up to expectations, are given the opportunity to hire a new coach. They decide to throw out the establishment and put in place a new coach and staff who reflect their disgust with what has been happening on the field. Their first order of business is to advertise for someone who has no previous experience as a coach or a player.

What are the chances of that happening? None. Sports fans want the best coach possible to give them the best chance of success. They would never entertain hiring someone with little or no experience.

Why then are a large number of voters trying to hire someone with no government, foreignpolicy or diplomatic experience to be president of the United States? Is the efficient running of the government less important than the performance of a professional sports team?

Have voters forgotten that they control the future of the United States? Maybe they have gotten accustomed to electing unqualified candidates to Congress. Do they believe it is more important to elect someone who matches the embodiment of their frustrations? What happens if they do?

Unfortunately, there is no buyers’ remorse when it comes to electing a president. Perhaps voters ought to pretend that this election is about hiring their team’s coach — in a more serious way, it is. Vote responsibly.

Jack Pritchard Lake Mary