Do You think we should start requiring Psych reports on elected officials?

Question

Do You think George W could be a sociopath? Let's see no regard for others, no remorse, egocentric.

Answer 1

George falls under the category of lame, bent, sick and crazy!  By all rights he should have been legally committed a long time ago, because he is indeed certifiably insane!

Answer 2

that is very interesting. I am curious as to what the doctor will tell us about our "leader."

Answer 3

I never thought about it, but that would be a very good idea.

Answer 4

No, I think this would be a horrible idea.

A better place to start would be to require that convicted felons, especially of white colar crime, would be barred from office. I'm not completely sure if I believe in this, but I think it's a much better and less discriminatory place to start than with getting psych profiles.

Actually, I don't think GWB would be considered a sociopath, as a person. His game is politics, and we see the same behavior in most politicians. GWB's problem is a combination of a couple things. The first is making the wrong decisions, often due to basing his decisions on his ideology and religion rather than the practical requirements, much worsened by the fact that if information doesn't line up with the ideological requirements he ignores it. This isn't just Bush's problem, but is common to most of the neo-cons and is oddly reminiscent of the USSR's Leninism.

The other big problem is that his methods and staff are blunt and inelegant. Clinton might come off as the patron saint of centrist American liberalism, but believe it or not he certainly made his share of grevious errors- and I'm not talking about the Lewinsky diversion. However, Clinton and (probably more importantly) his staff didn't have the utterly hamfisted approach that GWB and his cronies do.

In other words- Jesus tells GWB to do stupid things, which he does with relish, pride and all the elegance and intelligence of using a chainsaw as an electric razor.

Most powerful organizations (governments, corporations) are sociopathic. This is simply the result of centralized and top-down power structures.

No, I don't like Bush, but unlike many others my analysis is driven by the facts, not need for my analysis to fit the requirements of ideology. A huge problem with the neo-cons, but one that afflicts the liberals almost as bad.

Answer 5

I think we, as the American People, should DEMAND the following items in our elected officials (paid for out of the pockets of the officials being profiled - NOT out of campaign contributions.):

1)  A complete psychological profile

2)  A complete credit report from all three of the major credit reporting agencies.

3)  A current personal financial statement certified by a CPA.

4)  A background check for the candidate and all immediate family members over the age of 18.

5)  A mission and/or vision statement for the campaign.

6)  A written summary of all votes on major issues with reasons for their vote included.

When nonprofit organizations apply for federal funds (grants), they are required to provide all of these things in addition to many others.  When an individual gets a job in a government sponsored organization or government contracting agency, they are required to provide all of these things and more.  Why should our elected officials not be held to the same standards?