Should the mentally ill be allowed to vote?
By ladyluna
@ladyluna (7004)
United States
June 19, 2007 1:00pm CST
Yes folks, I realize that this is a real 'hornets nest' of a question.
I have heard that this question is being bantered about on Capitol Hill (USA), in response to the unanimous passing of the Congressional bill denying the mentally ill the right to purchase firearms.
After the Virginia Tech shooting incident, both Dem's & the GOP agreed that the mentally ill should be denied one of the freedoms granted by our Constitution -- the right to bear arms.
Well, now word is that Conress is in very preliminary discussions over whether or not to rescind a second of our Constitutionally guaranteed rights, the right to vote, to the mentally ill.
I cannot confirm who may be party to these discussions. This has not been corroborated by any sources willing to go on the record.
Should the mentally ill be denied the right to purchase guns? Should they be denied the right to vote? Doesn't this equate to discrimination? Or, do the mentally ill not deserve the full rights of any other citizen?
Do you think it matters what the diagnosis is? Should anyone taking psychiatric med's be probitited from voting?
Or do you see another angle of this that you'd like to share. I figure if Congress it talking about it, then we should be, as well. This is an enormous 'can of worms' that could affect millions and millions of people.
So, what say you?
7 people like this
11 responses
@jiffythorn (282)
• United States
20 Jun 07
There goes the constitution!! If we keep allowing them to throw out certain groups rights.... who is to say it will not sooner rather than later include your group. And take away your groups rights completely.
Yes! Everyone is grouped into categories. We can not deny anyone over the age of 18 the right to vote. Or we will loose the power over the government..... Everyone needs to stand up against the power hungry politicians.
2 people like this
@jiffys_frog_woman (4050)
• United States
20 Jun 07
well why not mental ill are people. i have problems with depression, bipolar and soical anxiety. so i would consider myself a little mental ill. we have the same rights as everyone else
1 person likes this
@jiffys_frog_woman (4050)
• United States
20 Jun 07
also if they were to say mental ill people cant vote what would be next that they would take away.
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Hello Jiffy's_frog_woman,
Yes, that is part of the enormous slippery slope associated with this issue -- additional rights being stripped away, and a more far reaching threat of rights being rescinded.
And yet, as is pointed out in parts 2 & 3, there are certain mental illnesses that prevent the sufferer from being able to understand the issues. And, where others use the mentally ill to garner votes of their own pursuasion.
It is a very complex issue, with so many questions.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
20 Jun 07
I think the mentally ill should be allowed to vote. Is Adult ADD, considered mentally ill? I know some autistic people who are more itelligent that most people that I know. Who draws the line for the mentally ill?
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Hello Sherrir101,
I wondered if anyone would touch on the indisputable fact that the autistic are not retarded. In some cases, they are absolutely brilliant. Their minds just don't work in the same way as most people's. In fact, I've often thought that the Autisitc may have a more direct link, or connection to "The Source" -- whatever you deem "The Source" to be.
Your question about ADD is a great one. It all leads back to the complexity of this issue. How is mental illness defined? Who does the defininng? Are exemptions made for changes in one's condition?
Part 2 of this question deals with jury duty and mental illness, since jurists are drawn from a pool of eligible voters. Part 3 deals with Alzheimer's and voting. These are just two more layers of this very complex issue.
Thanks for sharing your excellent points!
@sarangsadh (167)
• India
20 Jun 07
Well i suppose Lunatics should have all right to vote for a person who is already a lunatic.Since there is a lot corruption in politic their might be 75% chances that that the lunatic gives vote to no powerful candidate....i dunno how but they just judge people by the looks and all corrupted politicians look bad....heh.....i know sounds lame this is what i think
1 person likes this
@orbeltadz (506)
• Baguio, Philippines
20 Jun 07
As long as he can write and see( two of the most important senses in our body) the right candidate to be, then no second thoughts that a mentally ill will be allowed to vote. Besides they are just a few of them in your rich and diversified country unlike here in the Philippines, I believe they will never win a candidate if they will not vote wisely.
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Hello Orbeltadz,
I appreciate your point of view about reading/writing. In the USA we have special voting machines for the visually and auditorily challenged. However, other disabilities can affect a persons ability to understand the issues, or to be able to choose a candidately wisely.
Oh, and although it's not often covered in the international news, there are a great many persons with mental disabilities in the USA, of varying degrees. So, the problem is larger than one might think.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue.
@camelia_o7 (25)
• Philippines
20 Jun 07
yeah, i think so...anyway, you can't identify the difference though. the mentally ill voting the more mentall ill.
@crickethear (1417)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Well, then we should let the mentally retarded people vote, and children, and whoever else wants to. I am not being mean, or sarcastic, but only trying to make a point. I live in an area by a state hospital and I can tell you that they let many out that should not be out. They are not capable of knowing what is going on, and are usually on so many meds they either are combative, and or walking around like a zombie. I don't know what is happening, but to me we are getting to a point where we are a nation running amok. It is a sad state of affairs, and just when I think that this tops all, something else comes along.
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Hello Crickethear,
You make some very valid points and observations.
I presented part 2 & part 3 of this issue, because the majority of the early responses seemed to focus on mild mental illness. I suspect that anyone who is taking Prozac or any other medication for depression would (rightfully) see this as an affront to their civil rights.
Yet, the issue raises so very many questions, on so many levels. Part 2 deals with jury duty, and mental illness. And, part 3 deals with Alzheimer's and voting.
So, I completely understand why you have honed in on severe mental illness in your answer.
There are no easy answers. Yet, if Congress is discussing this issue, then we should be exploring the ramifications, and what we are willing to sacrifice from our Constitutionally granted rights to insure that all/only competent individuals are granted those particular rights that carry weighty obligations as well.
@titaniumsoul (1191)
• Singapore
20 Jun 07
Mentally ill people should not be allowed to vote due to their mental problem. Think about this: If you are one of the candidates of the election, do you want the lunatics to vote for you? You might say why not, because you have a greater chance to obtain a seat but is it meaningful to have lunatics vote for you. In addition, only lunatics vote for lunatics, if this is allowed, is the candidate a lunatic too?
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Hello Titaniumsoul,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this very complex issue.
You make some interesting points.
Yes, like does attract like. So, the extremely mentally ill might vote for a candidate to whom they can relate. That is scary! And, it's a valid concern!
And, you are also correct in pointing out that some mental illnesses render the patient incapable of understanding the issues that they're being asked to vote on.
So, although some might immediately disagree with you. I would ask those who might thumb you downward to recognize the validity of the points you've made.
If legislators are discussing this issue, then you are not alone in seeing this issue as you have.
@mrrtomatoe (800)
• Canada
20 Jun 07
Its a very touchy subject, but i think they should be able to vote. The real question is where we should draw the line. Should animals who can feel pain and may be able to reason in their own ways be allowed to vote? I know it sounds crazy but it was discussed in my humanities class.
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Hello Mrrtomatoe,
Yes, you're right. The question is where is the line. Who decides? What implications are there?
Now, if I understand the latter part of your reply, you are drawing a comparison between limited mental capabilities of humans versus congnition or limited sentience of animals, leading to the argument that animals should also be able to vote?
