General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Atlantic: Is Something Neurologically Wrong With Donald Trump?
Proposals for such a system have been made in the past, but never implemented. The job of the presidency is not what it used to be. For most of Americas history, it was not possible for the commander in chief to unilaterally destroy a continent, or the entire planet, with one quick decision. Today, even the countrys missileerswhose job is to sit in bunkers and await a signalare tested three times per month on their ability to execute protocols. They are required to score at least 90 percent. Testing is not required for their commander in chief to be able to execute a protocol, much less testing to execute the sort of high-level decision that would set this process in motion.
The lack of a system to evaluate presidential fitness only stands to become more consequential as the average age of leaders increases. The Constitution sets finite lower limits on age but gives no hint of an upper limit. At the time of its writing, septuagenarians were relatively rare, and having survived so long was a sign of hardiness and cautiousness. Now it is the norm. In 2016 the top three presidential candidates turned 69, 70, and 75. By the time of the 2021 inauguration, a President Joe Biden would be 78.
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A presidential-fitness committeeof the sort that Carter and others propose, consisting of nonpartisan medical and psychological expertscould exist in a capacity similar to the Congressional Budget Office. It could regularly assess the presidents neurologic status and give a battery of cognitive tests to assess judgment, recall, decision-making, attentionthe sorts of tests that might help a school system assess whether a child is suited to a particular grade level or classroomand make the results available.
Such a panel need not have the power to unseat a president, to undo a democratic election, no matter the severity of illness. Even if every member deemed a president so impaired as to be unfit to execute the duties of the office, the role of the committee would end with the issuing of that statement. Acting on that informationor ignoring or disparaging itwould be up to the people and their elected officials.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/01/trump-cog-decline/548759/
Vinca
(50,269 posts)He's been a narcissistic asshole his entire life, but when you listen to him speak it seems clear "somethin' ain't right."
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)In his case, age has just brought it out even more.
Girard442
(6,070 posts)People were anxiously awaiting the results of tests to find whether there were traces of marijuana or other illegal drugs in the engineer's system -- when he was a known heavy drinker. Stop fretting about subtle signs of problems with Trump's cognition. The man is so obviously a massive psychological trainwreck.
KPN
(15,643 posts)MyOwnPeace
(16,926 posts)"would be up to the people and their elected officials" is the true "catch" in the plan:
A Congress would have to be willing to take action - and not "ride the fool to victory" like is happening now.
The Pugs are not interested in the welfare of the United States, they care about the wallets and portfolios of themselves and the 1%.
tanyev
(42,553 posts)Phoenix61
(17,003 posts)It has been clear for years Twitler has dementia. My guess is that's why he doesn't like walking in the rain. Gait issues are part and parcel of dementia and water makes surfaces tricker to navigate. Remember him using a golf cart when overseas? Using two hands to hold a glass so he could take a drink of water?