- Elon Musk is proposing cognitive testing for elected officials following concerns regarding aging and mental acuity in political leadership.
- This comes after reports revealed that Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), 81, has been residing in an assisted living facility for several months. She has not attended a regular session in the House of Representatives since July. Her son said in a statement that she has been struggling with dementia all this time.
- Granger's extended absence and the lack of statements regarding her health has led to calls for more accountability and transparency among elected officials in addressing health concerns.
- Most voters are in favor of mandatory cognitive tests for older politicians. Experts warn however that this could be seen as age discrimination, and note that cognitive testing is not a definitive measure of a politician's capacity to serve the public.
In a recent post on X, formerly Twitter, tech giant billionaire Elon Musk raised eyebrows by suggesting that elected officials should undergo cognitive testing. His proposal was prompted by news that Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) had been absent from Congress for six months due to dementia issues.
“Maybe we should have some basic cognitive test for elected officials? This is getting crazy,” Musk tweeted on Dec. 21, highlighting the troubling implications of aging in political leadership. (Related: Discovery of Texas GOP representative living in retirement home amid health challenges and congressional absence sparks uproar.)
Granger, 81, had been in a senior living center in Fort Worth as she was dealing with dementia. Her son revealed that Granger had been experiencing “some dementia issues late in the year.”
Granger announced last year that she would retire following the end of her term in 2024. By July 2024 she was rarely seen in Congress, and her extended absence led to criticism and concern, with former colleagues and political observers highlighting her decline in mental acuity. Some felt that her staff could have acted more responsibly in addressing her health issues.
Cognitive testing could ensure elected officials are mentally capable of holding office
Supporters of cognitive testing argue that such measures would ensure that elected officials are mentally capable of handling their responsibilities.
As society ages, the number of older politicians in key positions increases, raising concerns about their cognitive abilities. Proponents believe that regular cognitive assessments can serve as a safeguard against incompetence, ensuring that decision-making is not compromised by cognitive decline.
The discussion surrounding cognitive evaluations for aging politicians is not new. A June 2024 Harvard Gazette article highlighted that 75 percent of voters support cognitive tests for older politicians, reflecting public concern over the mental acuity of aging leaders.
However, experts caution that while cognitive screening tools can provide insights, they are not definitive measures of an individual's capacity to serve in public office. Critics further warn against age discrimination and the potential for undue scrutiny to be placed upon older politicians.
Others worry that mandatory cognitive testing could unfairly target older adults and perpetuate ageism. They argue that age should not be the sole determinant of an official’s fitness for office.
Watch this report from Sky News discussing the plot by White House aides to cover up President Joe Biden's mental decline.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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