Should Crazy People be Allowed to Run for Office

[bryant69]

In this case, following the Fried Piper lead we are talking about people who are certifiably insane - people who have actually visited a psychologist and the psychologist has pronounced them insane. I'm just curious how many of us really think that the certifiably insane should be allowed to run for office.

This is in reference to this post ( http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2188666&mesg_id=2188666 ), which I have to admit I initially misread because of some of The Fried Pipers earlier comments - I'd like to once again apologize for hijacking his thread into religion. The Fried Piper clearly only intended to discuss whether insane people should be allowed to hold office.

This thread is a way of making penace for my mistake, and a way of discussing this question - should Insane people be allowed to hold office - and once again, the definition of insane is certifiable - they visit with a psychologist who diagnosises them with insanity.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Jed Dilligan]

1. "Insanity" isn't a diagnosis

If you mean "mentally incompetent" as the law defines it (unable to stand trial) the question is moot. The person could run, but not campaign. They would never hold office.

If the question is in reference to Bush's madness, I don't think anyone here believes he is so insane that he can't go on trial!

[flaminbats]

2. should sane people be forced to run for office?

sane people never run, this is why our political system is insane! :crazy:

[ProdigalJunkMail]

3. you did not misread it or his intention

post #8 of that thread will make that clear...he was on again about people with religious beliefs...

sP

[bryant69]

5. I see what you are saying

But The Fried Piper says that he was trying to have a serious discussion about whether or not insane people should be allowed to hold office - verifiably insane. I think we owe it to him to discuss this very important subject. I mean I'm sure there's bound to be a wide range of opinion here at DU on whether or not Insane people should be allowed to hold office, and I for one am interested in seeing it. I'm going to keep this kicked so we can get as many posts and votes as possible.

Bryant

[ProdigalJunkMail]

7. just wanted you to know that your conscience

should be clear on this one...if I had misread I would feel as you do...but your instinct was dead on as verified by a number of his posts in that very thread. And, insanity is a tough one. At one time people might have thought many of the greatest minds to be insane...

sP

[bryant69]

8. Must Kick again - for Fried Piper. n/t

[Poll_Blind]

4. Democracy is the ability for the majority to elect whomever they choose.

  It is not important, in my opinion, whether the candidate is "certifiably insane" or whether the electorate is "certifiably insane" either. A despot may inflict themselves on a nation but Democratic nations receive the governments they deserve as a majority are responsible for sending them to the office. In that respect, it is immaterial whether the candidate is crazy or not. Democracy respects the will of the people.

  This freedom of choice in the matter ensures that a majority of the people of a given Democratic nation should be satisfied with the government they elect and value judgments about who they elect, in my opinion, really exist outside a definition of Democracy. Value judgments on the sanity of a leader are unhelpful in the least as it sets a precedent which could be used against the very persons making the value judgment.

  Don't get me wrong, George Bush is still a shit-eating, glue-sniffing motherfucker. However, presuming he was legitimately elected in a Democratic fashion (at least in 2004), Democracy has been served well. I personally believe that he probably was not Democratically-elected in either 2000 or 2004 and I make the concession (2004) purely for the purpose of illustrating my point. One could more appropriatly have used Ronald Reagan's ascent to office as an example, or Bill Clinton (if one was a conservative), but I enjoy frequently taking a dump on W and so used him.

PB

[LSK]

6. if an insane person is elected

What does that say about the citizens?
Or
Would it more reflect a flawed system?
:shrug:

[AlienGirl]

9. Yes!

http://www.TheVoicesTellYouToVote.com