y'know...

[kuangning]

... Shouldn't there be a mental and/or emotional health requirement for holding the office of President of the United States?

Hmm. Let me clarify - I don't think it's feasible, much like requirements for parenthood. I know it opens up many more problems than it would solve. but I can't help but be occasionally wistful for some clause that would allow the removal of a President from office on grounds of insanity, or at least dictate that he take steps to control his condition if he wishes to remain in office. That brings up the nasty spectre of "who decides?" but... yeah. Every now and again...

Comments

[voodoolimbo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there should be. . .but that whole equal rights thing means any nut has the potential to become president.

[kuangning]

Almost any nut. *wrysmile.* you exclude the ones too young, and the ones born elsewhere. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/killjoy_/]

Hard to legislate. *shrug*

[voodoolimbo.livejournal.com]

After all, who is to say what is sane, normal and rational in this day and age?

Re:

[http://users.livejournal.com/killjoy_/]

"Only the insane have strength enough to prosper; only those that prosper truly judge what is sane."

Funny the quotes you come across. ;)

[fifthconundrum.livejournal.com]

It would be too difficult to enforce, as it is a very subjective call. It's also asking for more presidential elections to end up decided by the whims of the Supreme Court, not according to the votes of the people.

[kuangning]

Oh, I know. Who decides who's healthy, after all? I didn't ask, is it feasible. I just occasionally think there should be.

[tbone.livejournal.com]

I take it you've never seen the Fox show 24. This was a pretty significant plot point this year.

Check out Section 4 (http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment25/). It basically says the Cabinent has that power.

Re:

[kuangning]

That provides for -some- of what I meant (and no, I really don't watch television, so I missed it...) but it hasn't been interpreted/used yet to cover emotional illness or mental illness that doesn't manifest itself in blatant cognitive and physical dysfunction. I seriously doubt the moment's ever going to come when a Cabinet says, "this man's a psychopath and a danger to the country," y'know? Because it isn't even remotely mentioned, it's a little of a stretch. And then, he submits a written declaration that says "I'm okay now, really," and he resumes office, unless he's so egregiously ill that it can't be hidden from anyone. It also doesn't specifically provide for a middle ground -- "you will remain in office for as long and only as long as your condition is properly controlled." It only gives allowance for removal in worst case. That's better than nothing, of course. :)

[tandabat.livejournal.com]

But isn't there, in a sense? I mean, each party is only going to allow so much insanity in it's candidate. So unless you have millionaire crazy guys (which has happened, I know), you do have some basic standard of stability. Albeit, (is that a word) it's not regulated by any one standard level of competence. The other way I'd say it's regulated is the vote. At least, that's the theory on voting. If a person was truly insane, we wouldn't vote for him....maybe.

I have to say, that after reading the first line of that, I was laughing so hard, I could hardly keep reading.

[kuangning]

*grins.* and that's partly what I intended -- the thought made me laugh, but it also seemed like a good question to throw out there, when we have a President "led by God" who's doing his best to bring about something that the Bible says only the Anti-Christ will accomplish. ;)

[sundogaz.livejournal.com]

I'm in favor of a requirement for a president to use good grammar and be limited to one cliche per term.

[kuangning]

*laughs.* I didn't dare dream that big. ;)

[sundogaz.livejournal.com]

Good point! :-)

Anyone may be better than the current administration of self-righteous untouchables. Anyway, I'm not much on politics; there are more interesting subjects out there.
'pax vobiscum'
Sundog