by David Furritus

Created on: January 27, 2008

Well, mental illness never stopped them from running for office.

Contrary to what some writers might tell you, we do not live in a police state. As long as you are over 18 and have not committed a felony, you're entitled the right to vote. This is something that is granted to ALL U.S. Citizens - not just the ones that the majority seems to think that are worthy. If someone were to actually try to pass a law that prevented those suffering from mental illness from voting, they could start re-defining what constitutes a mental illness.

Over the past few decades new disorders are being discovered - and pharmaceutical companies have been making money hand-over-fist in the process (it's actually my opinion that a few disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder were created by the pill-poppers in an effort to pawn drugs off on people - but, that's just my opinion). Approximately half of America is diagnosed with clinical depression. Does that mean that half of all voters shouldn't be allowed to cast a vote just because they're feeling bummed out? What next? Do they start saying that if someone is unemployed then they must be suffering from depression? No vote for them! Or what if lawmakers start to say that homosexuals are suffering from a mental disorder because only insane people would love someone of the same gender? Well, there goes their voice in the elections.

Some might even think that people that have mild dementia might not have a good enough grasp of reality to make a qualified vote, but when I talk to people that put their whole basis for voting on whether someone has an "R" or "D" after their names I begin to question THEIR perceptions of reality. Who knows? Perhaps their perceptions might be just what we need to bring some actual change to a system that seems to be going nowhere.

It all comes down to this: People with mental disorders can still hold down jobs. This means that they're contributing to society and paying taxes. They're not committing any violent crimes (okay, some are - but that's why we have hospitals for the criminally insane) and they have the same rights as "sane" whites, blacks, Christians, Muslims, Wiccans, Homosexuals, Heterosexuals, and porn addicts.

They should be allowed to vote. Anyone that disagrees is obviously insane - just kidding.

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