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snuffy_tentpeg t1_isjen9z wrote

Reply to comment by IrresponsibleScience in Obama praises John Fetterman as someone with whom you can 'have a normal conversation,' says the Pennsylvania Democrat has 'some sense of how the rest of America lives' by BlankVerse

A letter to the editor published in today's NY post addresses your points pretty well.

Fretting over Fett
This issue with the competency of John Fetterman in Pennsylvania highlights what is wrong in American government (“Struggle to speak and understand,” Oct. 12).
Medical or mental deficiencies are sad and tragic in everyday life, but in a situation where you are involved in decisions that can effect the entire nation, and sometimes the world, sympathy can have no bearing.
Governing requires the brightest and strongest individuals we can find — not just anyone who runs for whatever reason. As current events show, when we elect individuals based on feelings and emotion and their mental and physical competence comes into question, we invite chaos.
Term limits, age restrictions and transparency regarding physical and mental acuity should be bedrock requirements when dealing with political candidates. Americans deserve no less.
Dain Huber
West Islip

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IrresponsibleScience t1_isjy90v wrote

I’ve actually thought about this well before the Fetterman situation. Because we have some very old and questionable people in political power. The questions come down to: How do we accurately and fairly test cognitive ability of the individual to ensure they are capable of good decision making? And how do ensure we don’t take away fair representation of citizens in the process?

They are hard questions to answer IMO. On the one had, most of not all the senators and house members over 65 would not fair well with a cognitive test, but removing all of them would have a huge impact on fair representation. On the other hand my generation (25-40) doesn’t have much representation at all.

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snuffy_tentpeg t1_islbsaq wrote

Despite our political differences we share a common goal. We must demand competent, honest, persons of all types, religions, orientations representing OUR best interests.

These political jobs were never intended to be lifetime occupations. Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell have both been in government since 1974.

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