That time I was shortlisted to become the chief webmaster of a particular branch of the U.S. military. But as part of getting my Top Secret clearance, they ran my credit and found an unpaid medical bill from 5 years prior amounting to something like $59. The civil servant I was liaising with called me up and said I was dis-qualified and hung up.
Many years later, a lying con-man with multiple million dollar bankruptcies on his record, and obvious ties to Russian leadership, was elected into a public office in which he has access to all kinds of top secret national data and nuclear launch codes.
There’s a loophole there somewhere.
(edit)
I can’t help but think I wouldn’t have done well with that job. I’m a smart ass with pacifist leanings (which might’ve come out in the security clearance process anyways), and the job would’ve involved my routine exposure to very serious military brass types.
