Should there be mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians over 75?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, your big brain, the information provided and any links below:

1. According to the data from the visual above, what percent of Americans believe there should be mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians over 75?

2. Members of what political party are most likely to support mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians over 75?

3. Draw a conclusion about whether there is bipartisan support (support from both major political parties) for mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians over 75?

4. What group or institution would have to make a rule implementing mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians over 75?

5. Explain the likelihood of actual implementation of mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians over 75.

6. Joe Biden was the oldest president ever when he left office at age 82. Current President Trump is 80. Why do you think so many American support mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians over 75?

7. Explain whether there should be mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians over 75? While you’re at it, explain whether there should be mandatory mental-competency tests for politicians UNDER 75?

8. Large majorities of Americans believe there should be a maximum age for someone to serve in the U.S. as president (76%), senator (73%), or member of Congress (72%). When asked what the maximum age should be, the average ages given (between the range of 35 and 100) are 67 for president and 66 for senator and member of Congress (the median age given is 70 for all three positions). If an age limit of 66 were in effect, almost half of senators currently in office would be ineligible, as the median age of current senators is about 65. Identify what you think should be the maximum age for the following offices: President; Senate; House; Judiciary; Santa Clause.

9. According to the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, Section 4. “Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.” Explain how likely it is that the President pro tempore of the Senate (Republican, Charles Grassley -age 92) and Speaker of the House (Republican, Mike Johnson - age 53) will declare Donald Trump (Republican - age 79) unable to discharge his duties?

10. Explain the paradox that Americans say we should not allow older politicians to serve in office, yet we keep electing older and older politicians.

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

You can sign this petition for mandatory retirement at age 65 for all 3 branches of government, or better yet, make your own petition. Share a link to your petition in the comments section below and I will share it with other students!

Get Creative

If the U.S. Congress had nap time and then got up to go out to dinner at about 4:00 where do you think they would go for dinner?

Learning Extension

Watch this video explainer from FiveThirtyEight about why there are so many Boomers in Congress.

• Supreme Court Cases
  • Dec 26, 2020 Marbury v. Madison (1803)
  • Dec 24, 2020 McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
  • Dec 20, 2020 Schenck v. United States (1919)
  • Dec 19, 2020 Brown v. Board (1954)
  • Dec 19, 2020 Baker v. Carr (1961)
  • Dec 18, 2020 Engel v. Vitale (1962)
  • Dec 17, 2020 Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
  • Dec 16, 2020 Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
  • Dec 15, 2020 New York Times v. U.S. (1971)
  • Dec 15, 2020 Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
  • Dec 14, 2020 Shaw v. Reno (1993)
  • Nov 9, 2020 United States v. Lopez (1995)
  • Jun 4, 2018 Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010)
  • May 4, 2018 McDonald v. Chicago (2010)