Letter: Screen

Published 12:15 am Tuesday, July 30, 2024

While the focus after the first presidential debate has been solely on President Joe Biden, there seems to be no worry about former President Donald Trump’s constant lying, as evidenced again in his debate content. Why is there no inquiry as to the extent of Trump’s mental defect?

Before Trump lost the last election, 350 psychiatrists sent a letter to Congress warning them of potential danger to the country.

It seems like it would be in the best interest of the country to screen potential candidates for president for mental illness. It could be done by a team of psychiatrists who put professionalism and country before politics.

Years ago, a vice presidential candidate, Thomas Eagleton, was discovered to have been treated for depression and had electroshock therapy. People were outraged, and he consequently withdrew from the ticket.

Judgment of mental illness should not be left up to voters, who have no expertise, just as voters shouldn’t decide on a candidate’s criminal guilt.

It might also be useful, but not required, that the candidates take an IQ test — concurrently, and administered by professionals.

DAVID FITCH

Astoria