Should candidates be required to go through a physical & mental exam prior to running or being appointed for office? Reagan's Alzheimer's?

PO2 Robert M. — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:29:12 -0500

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/health/parsing-ronald-reagans-words-for-early-signs-of-alzheimers.html

Parsing Ronald Reagan’s Words for Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Researchers have found subtle indications of dementia in transcripts of the former president’s news conferences.

Response by PO2 Robert M. made Dec 31 at 2016 11:35 AM

PO2 Robert M. — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:35:23 -0500

My concern, is that when elected officials ( Legislative & Judicial ) are usually in there for a LONG, LONG, Long time.
When is it time to tell them to leave?
When they drop dead at their desk? ( i.e. Thurman, President Reagan's Alzheimer's?) ; what happens to a JUDICIAL appointment like the Supreme Court who may have a disease, but does NOT wish to disclose it, and it may render them incapable ?)
Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life, correct?

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2016 11:38 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:38:16 -0500

Slippery slope there. Half in Congress would fail the drug screen and if they voted to require POTUS they might be next. It's a valid topic though as you refer to Pres. Reagan. Strange that CIA Dir. Casey developed memory problems about that time also. The whole Iran/Contra thing likely caused them to not remember stuff as well.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 31 at 2016 11:41 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:41:57 -0500

An interesting question. Lot's of ideologues complain about the Reagan Administration, but for many of us, if his accomplishments were the results of early onset Alzheimer's Disease, we might be tempted to deem that Disease a qualification for office. (I can't wait for the responses to that statement, but I'll stand by it). The problem with having mental/emotion/physical tests for candidates is that such tests can be used to disqualify good candidates. Look at how the Soviet Union used to incarcerate political dissidents in "mental institutions". Obviously, anyone who disagreed with the ideology of communism was mentally disturbed...

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Dec 31 at 2016 11:45 AM

Cpl Joshua Caldwell — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:45:43 -0500

Im thinking no here, the medical info would have kept the DNC from fielding a candidate this time, and the psyche exam can get politicized really easily. the diagnostic manual that exists is so ambiguous that literally anyone can be diagnosed with something if they keep talking long enough, and that parameters for those diagnosis are way to subjective. Narcissism alone would wipe out almost everyone who would ever consider running for office.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Dec 31 at 2016 11:47 AM

Maj Mike Sciales — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:47:30 -0500

Is this in the public interest? FDR was a wreck, JFK had Addison's, did they lead well? History says they did. The mental health issue presents to me, a valid concern. Nobody really wants a manic-depressive with your hand on the nuclear trigger. However, that raises the question of exactly what level of mental difficulties do we want to accept? Can a president have anger management issues? How about past drug dependency issues? The DSM is full of disorders that most candidates can be diagnosed as having. So how do we choose what's important, what's not, what's public or private?

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 31 at 2016 11:53 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:53:34 -0500

Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1994, about 5 years after he left office. Below is his letter to the American people regarding the diagnosis. There have been some that have said he had early signs of it while in office. That is really not provable. He left office in January of 1989, his diagnosis was in November of 1994.

The article you used even admits it is only trying to be predictive of the disease it is not suggesting he had it at the time he was in office.

Presidents do get physicals every year and they are usually pretty fully published.

Your concern about the length of their term, at least for presidents, is addressed by the two term limit for the office. It is not a lifetime appointment nor can they serve for more than 8 years.
_______________________________________________________________________________
On November 5, 1994, former President Ronald Reagan published a letter to the American people announcing his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

My fellow Americans,

I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way.

In the past, Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had cancer surgeries. We found through our open disclosures we were able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as a result many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to return to normal, healthy lives.

So now we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clear understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it.

At the moment, I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.

Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes, I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.

In closing, let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.

I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.

Thank you, my friends.

Sincerely,

Ronald Reagan

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 31 at 2016 12:00 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:00:40 -0500

If this Was The Case Neither Bernie Sanders Or HRC Would Have Been Qualified nor would half of the republicans candidates...

Response by PO2 Robert M. made Dec 31 at 2016 12:29 PM

PO2 Robert M. — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:29:23 -0500

One thing I forgot to mention: I believe I had to have a full physical and Psych eval before doing my job in the NAVY. Then I had to have MORE follow-up exams as my tasks were more significant, as having more security evaluations/monetary disclosures while I "progressed" up the chain. As a mere enlisted man, I would expect our "LEADERS" be held to a hell of a lot more EXAMINATION AS WELL AS SCRUTINY THAT I WAS HELD AT!!! Due to one of my medicines, I was taken off on of my duties...... Shouldn't that be true for Officers, Officials and "PUBLIC SERVANTS"????

Response by MSgt Ronnie Kelly made Dec 31 at 2016 1:14 PM

MSgt Ronnie Kelly — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 13:14:04 -0500

Had honor of serving under 7 presidentso. I have to say he was one of,if the one I admired the most and proud of being a member of the US military. Had a little more fun under W. but was more confident under Regan

Response by MSgt Ronnie Kelly made Dec 31 at 2016 8:29 PM

MSgt Ronnie Kelly — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 20:29:13 -0500

If that was a requirement then 3/4 it not more would not be in Washington now

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Dec 31 at 2016 11:20 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 23:20:24 -0500

Reagan, even IF he had Alzheimer's was far and away a better POTUS than the current POTUS.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 3 at 2017 10:07 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 10:07:37 -0500

Why? Am I seeing who can benchpress the most? Or am I electing the next President? There's a reason we pick both a President and a Vice President. If something happens to the President, the Vice President takes charge.

Tell me... how would a physical and mental exam before the election stopped President Clinton from potentially contracting syphilis while he was in office. Clearly his heart was healthy enough for sexual activity.

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made May 18 at 2022 11:24 AM

SPC Lyle Montgomery — Wed, 18 May 2022 11:24:24 -0400

The liberal democrats complained about Trumps mental status. and Trump is a very capable man but these same liberal democrats say nothing about their senile president, Biden. It is obvious that Biden isn't hitting on all cylinders. The democrats are guilty of elder abuse for the way that use the puppet, Biden. I don't like old Joe but I do feel sorry for him.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 18 at 2022 12:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 18 May 2022 12:04:20 -0400

I am more concerned about whether a candidate is principled and has a strong set of values.