Psychiatric Vetting of Candidates Should Be Required

 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.