Vetting

Long ago and far away when I was a police officer each and every time I took a job or was given an opportunity for a promotion I was "vetted" before being seriously considered.

By "vetting" I mean I was investigated. My financial history, background, associates & associations, my friends/family/acquaintances were contacted and provided the opportunity to discuss my 'gifts, failings, habits, political and social encumbrances examined to ensure I could uphold the oath of office to which I would pledge.

I was vetted via psychological examination (MMPI/CPI, IQ, memory, and creativity of process)... lastly, I had to undergo a polygraph (yeah, I know, they are pretty much junk science but still, it was done).

If I passed everything, I could then be a cop or receive the promotion with the agency I wished to serve or was serving.

I was a cop. Nothing special, except that the governmental agencies I might serve took the time and spent the money to ensure that I was not some idiot, fire-breathing arsewipe of any stripe, was not mentally or emotionally encumbered, that I was not corruptible because I "owed favors", could be used by others for nefarious purposes, and had the emotional and mental capacity to fulfill my duties.

Where the hell has that gone? Are they not doing this anymore because they want to save money or they just don't give a crap what they send into communities?

Why are not political candidates required to submit to and 'pass' equally necessary tasking? Why should they not? If you require or believe you need to have vetting of the lowly cop, CPA, truck driver (seriously, check out their need to qualify to drive a semi-truck in the US), why cannot Candidates for public office be asked to submit to and pass an actual vetting for "fitness for duty" instead of having to wait for the exposing of creep creatures to do wrong, illegal, or unconstitutional acts and therefore serious harm to our cities, counties, states, and federal government?

Suited to serve or unsuited to serve could be rendered in advance and then maybe with supervision, oversight, policies, laws, and enforcement of social justice we might all live our better lives and be our better selves.

Just a thought.