We are coming up on another election. Once again, the centrists will have to listen to the psychotic rants of Republicans and Democrats. Yes, I said it, psychotic. I’ll even call it crazy because I am not a therapist, and I don’t care if it’s politically correct.

New York is full of mentally ill people. They’re all over the place. With some, it’s obvious because they’re on the streets crying for help. Others are people like you and me. Most of the time, we’re unaware of the ones like us, but when it’s election time, these nuts surface like a brood of cicada. Everyone puts on their crazy hat and hits the pavement.

Because I’m unaffiliated with either party, I helplessly watch as the party wheels spin narratives before elections and turn my friends and neighbors into enemies. I wonder if they know how unhealthy they sound. So here are some quotes I’ve heard that I’ve found jaw-dropping.

“Whenever I hear that man’s name, I shake with anger uncontrollably. I can’t say his name. I’ll need to call my therapist” – A woman on a Manhattan park bench, shaking, referring to then-President Trump.

“If he walked through this door and I had a gun, I would shoot him,” Two older women in their late 80s at an Upper East Side restaurant, referring to then-President Trump. Yes, you read that correctly. Their age group was in the late 80s.

“Barak Obama is the Anti-Christ; he is trying to kill us all.” – a woman referring to then-President Obama.”

“If he wins this election, we are moving to Canada.” – An American couple at a Tapas restaurant in the Netherlands with tears, yes real tears, in their eyes referring to then-President George Bush.

“The Clintons are destroying the integrity of the country. They are part of a stealth government trying to control us all.” – a young man in Virginia.

“Biden is destroying America. There will be nothing left when he’s done. We will be a communist country.” – A man referring to President Biden.

I’m always amazed at how the addiction to a political party can mobilize this kind of irrational behavior. Is it a sense of belonging? Have Americans become so disconnected from their families that they seek comradery from any source? Even acceptance from political parties that ruthlessly thrive on this kind of combat? Do these people see the contradiction? These parties fan the flames of anger, then turn to the public with sad eyes about things like school shootings saying we need to address violence in this country, all the while pitting us against one another and turning everyday people into groupies.

Party groupies make it challenging to ascertain whether or not someone is genuinely fit for office! So please, put your irrational behavior away this election. We all love this country, and craziness creates a smoke screen for these political parties, enabling them to skirt important issues. So please don’t fall into their trap! And, try being a little less biased. Your mental health is on the line.