Psychiatric Vetting of Candidates Should Be Required
Representative
Paul Gosar created a violent video about murdering his political opponents -
and posted it. He has been censured for it, and there is actually opposition to
the action, saying that censuring will be used to remove power from anyone in
Congress taking an unpopular stand on issues.
There's a huge
difference between publishing a violent video and defending an unpopular
political stand. And in this case, it's doubtful that censuring him is enough,
particularly after the violent insurrection of January 6th.
Violent tendencies
like this cannot be ignored. Red flags indicating future unlawful and violent
intentions from members of the GOP have to be taken seriously, because there
are obviously radicalized members of our society who take it to heart and are
willing to commit violent acts against anyone opposing the party of Trump.
Psychiatric
evaluations should be part of the vetting process for candidates seeking public
office - any public office, from the presidency right on down to town councils.
Many Americans would be alive today if only Trump had been evaluated before
being allowed to run for office. Same with Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene
- I mean, come on - Jewish space lasers?
Our society is
complicated and difficult to govern. It's not safe to have these unscrupulous,
and in some cases, seriously deranged individuals in power. This isn't even a
political issue - it's an issue of mental health. It's an issue of an obscene
abuse of power by individuals who are well beyond lacking compassion, but who lack
conscience as well.
If we vet
candidates better before they have a chance to gain power, Americans will be
safer, our democracy will be safer, and our public servants will be free to
concentrate on their jobs without threats from truly disturbed opponents
fixated on their own power.
