Bodybuilding icon, Hollywood superstar, and former politician Arnold Schwarzenegger wore many shoes. He has also found immense success in all three careers. Although Arnie stepped away from politics after serving two terms as the Governor of California in 2011, his voice still holds weight in the political sphere. The seven-time Mr. Olympia still visits the parliament to lobby for beneficial community development efforts like after-school programs.

However, recently, the Governator has noticed a lack of cooperation between leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties. While appearing on Rich Roll’s Podcast, the Austrian Oak spoke about his observations on the current political landscape. The 76-year-old, who once desired to run for president, also offered a solution that he believes would help rebuild America.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has a simple solution

Arnold Schwarzenegger couldn’t become the President of the United States of America because he was born an Austrian. While immigrants who become naturalized citizens can run for political office, the Constitution doesn’t allow them to run for President. Despite his dream getting snubbed, the former governor strives to see the bigger picture in politics.

Arnold Schwarzenegger said the divide between leaders has caused degradation in many aspects. Instead of the bigger picture, leaders today are stuck in their political ideology, said Arnie. He believes today’s leaders are busy working for their interests, hindered by their ideological differences. The Republicans and Democrats are eating one another’s throats.

However, Schwarzenegger believes a change in approach would change things. “The kind of leadership that has the energy to not worry so much about the specific policy, but to first, bring the team together. This is what someone has to do in Washington,” Arnie said. The 76-year-old said the nation needs “rebuilding,” and the only teamwork will help solve today’s problems.

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Instead of the Republicans and Democrats villainizing one another, the bodybuilding icon wants them to “meet in the middle”. The former Republican Governor of California added that after coming together, all leaders need to “answer to the people rather than the special interests.” 

Arnie has seen this solution work

Schwarzenegger didn’t just come up with a theory that sounded good. On the contrary, The Last Stand star has witnessed what Democrats and Republicans can accomplish when they team up for a good cause. While mentioning his excursions to lobby for after-school programs, the bodybuilding legend said he spoke to leaders from both parties.

Arnie said he had to convince leaders from both parties. Yet, once they understood the necessity and benefit of after-school programs, leaders from both parties assured him about securing the funds and the future of underprivileged kids. The champion bodybuilder wishes to see similar cooperation on more complex national issues.

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