Put Politicians to the Mental Test

Target: Mike Johnson, Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives

Goal: Support measures to help ensure politicians are up to the mental challenges of their jobs.

Questions are once again raging about the advanced age of the country’s top politicians, and specifically how aging might impact a president or other politician’s ability to perform some of the world’s most demanding jobs. Both major presidential candidates have faced criticism about verbal gaffes and other behaviors many consider concerning. In the past few months, similar worries have surrounded Mitch McConnell and Diane Feinstein after both senators displayed their own highly publicized possible cognitive episodes. Currently, Congress is as old as it’s ever been, with more than half of Senate members alone over 65 years of age. Several members of both the Senate and House of Representatives are well into their 80s.

Public support has grown within all political parties for solutions to this problem. Perhaps the approach most popular with voters is an upper age limit for serving in political office. The Constitution sets a lower limit for presidents (35 years of age) but remains silent on a maximum age. Another option involves mandatory cognitive testing for politicians of advanced age. Establishing an upper age limit would require a consensus on what age should be the cut-off point, and mandatory cognitive testing would face a similar obstacle (unless a consensus was reached that every politician should undergo extensive cognitive and other relevant medical testing).

Either step would likely require a Constitutional amendment. Sign the petition below to urge politicians to put aside self-interest and uphold the interest and will of the people by confronting this issue head-on.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Speaker Johnson,

In 1984, during a presidential debate, Ronald Reagan put on a halting and unsure performance that troubled some onlookers, including his own namesake. For decades, questions have continually been raised about Reagan’s possible cognitive decline while he served in office. Fast-forward 40 years and similar questions are emerging about not one but two presidential candidates of advanced age. Concerns have also surrounded other high-profile aging politicians.

The people deserve transparency, and they have been clear about what this transparency might entail. Age limits and mandatory cognitive testing for individuals who seek office have secured widespread support among constituents of both major parties. But as of now, voters have little reason to expect change because the Constitutional amendment process currently favored by Congress leaves almost zero chance of either proposal seeing the light of day.

If Congress would utilize the other process available for a Constitutional amendment – a national convention – then this would signal elected leaders are more devoted to public interest than self-interest. Honor the will of the people and ease their concerns by allowing both proposals a chance to move forward.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Phil Roeder