The presidency sits precariously not just in the hands of the people, but under the 25thAmendment may be deemed void if the Vice President and Cabinet feel he/she is unable to continue his/her duties. With the approval of the Speaker of the House or Senate Pro Tem, a vote may be taken to remove that person from office which may be subject to an appeal by the president.
28thUS
President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) is used as a comparison to Donald Trump in
their handling of a pandemic from which both would become infected. Both showed
signs of misreading the severity of the epidemic which may have led to the death
of many in its wake. For Wilson, in the midst of developing strategic alliances
abroad underlying his vision for a League of Nations, the Spanish Flu of 1918
was to fiercely strike him. Though he had a massive stroke in 1919, he was
allowed to continue incapacitated in office until the end of his term reportedly
allowing his wife, Edythe to rule in his place. Blaming the President’s judgment
in both cases forgets to blame the virus for not telling us upfront all of its
secrets which would allow better detection, treatment and
prevention.
Doing
a bit of forensic pathology on these cases, one might theorize that Wilson’s
stroke may have been a sequelae of the flu, just as the horrendous side effects
of Covid-19 shows similar devastating side effects for many of its victims. One
must worry given the known turn of events for President Trump’s course history,
whether there are long term concerns which must be brought into play. Going two
steps further, former Vice President Biden’s history of brain surgery and
fumbling speech as well as major gaffe’s make one also a bit concerned with his
presidential run. Maybe President James Carter is right about the possible
compromised ability of people over 70 to steer the often muddy waters required
of the office.
The
“worration” over the capacity of our candidates to serve is somewhat tempered by
the constitutional process which has in place steps to address such
issues.
Troubling
is the “all in” posture of too many to remove people or oust them without due
process. Is this concern real or seeking political advantage? The impact of
this on laws in other areas of personal life and conduct can be brought into
question. If the rights of the President to privacy regarding health are to be
compromised, what is to stop such from happening to patients with
“non-essential” jobs and also diseases such as cancer, seizures or severe
injuries from all types of mishaps? Under the American’s with Disabilities Act,
the nation’s employers are not allowed to discriminate, especially if a
reasonable accommodation can be offered.
As
one who did occupational health for over twenty years, it was troublesome when
ones employers wanted access to personal health information for no matter what
is said, such is used to affect employment prospects. This was also an issue
when employers were self-insured as are those who work for the government where
their information is available. What those advocating universal health care
don’t understand is that one gives up any semblance of privacy for this supposed
benefit.
Any
good soldier, as should their Commander-In-Chief, understand that Duty, Honor
and Valor demands that for the good of the nation, one should always put the
nation first if one is compromised beyond one’s ability to effectively carry out
one’s duty.
Ada
M. Fisher, MD, MPH is a former Medical Director in a Fortune 500 company,
licensed teacher, retired physician, former county school board member, speaker,
author of Common Sense Conservative Prescriptions Good for What Ails Us Book 1
(available through Amazon. Com) and was the NC Republican National
Committeewoman (2008-2020).
