Do you think there should be an I.Q. test before adults can vote?

Question

and pass a test proving they understand the urgent issues of the day? If not idiots could be voting for someone without really understanding the issues at hand.

For true patriot , I dont have to leave your country because I don`t live in it.

Answer 1

First of all, I'd like to apologize for True Patriot. Apparently she's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, because she clearly didn't understand your question.
The right to vote is a privilege and should be treated as such. I tend to believe that if someone is taking the time to go and vote, they have most likely educated themselves at least somewhat on the various issues and/or candidates. At least I hope so! :)


LOL- Oh honey, I will say anything I want to say. And just for the record, you have already proven yourself to be a brainless bimbo.

Answer 2

The elections are decided long before the vote. The ability of the common citizen to input ideas in the elections is blocked by the party organizations. The last few elections have been trying to pick the lesser of two evils. The next election will be clouded in charges of tampering with the votes. It is no secret that the liberals yelled and claimed foul the last two elections but in 2000 and 2004 there were more Democratic members at the polling places than republicans. Most county election board members were also Democrats but they could not muster enough dead people to win. Perhaps the millions of illegal aliens will get them enough votes.

The intelligence of the population is not the issue it is the openness of candidates.. Party politics takes place behind closed doors and we are given the choice of their picks not ours. We can only hope the congress changes in the years ahead to block the take over of this country by pansies like Kerry and peolosi.

Answer 3

No. But that is the reason voters have such limitted power in the government as it is.

The founding fathers didn't want poor, ignorant people voting for the president. Originally, electorates voted for the president, and the runner up got vice-president. They also established a fairly public school system just to insure that idiots wouldn't be voting...it was of course a system founded on their principles.

And does it really matter if ignorant people are voting? Usually they are either voting straight party tickets, or voting the way their spouses vote.

Answer 4

No, people don't vote for president based on issues, they base it on who their friends like/dislike and who looks good. Not that that is a good thing, but that is the way it is for the most part or we wouldn't let those running spend more time insulting each other then telling us their thoughts on issues.
It should be that the only people who run for president be educated in government, politics, and/or history. At least a BA, but for running for our beautiful country, they should be required to have a Masters.

Answer 5

No, I'm not worried about the voters, but I do think those running for President should have to pass some kind of basic minimum requirements for running the country which could/should be:

1) a mental fitness test
2) basic physical test
3) some kind of agreed upon years of political experience (Senator, Governor, etc) at least 6 to 8 years (hopefully they would have more though!)

I don't think these are requirements now, but I wish they would be!

Answer 6

Thomas Jefferson told us, "All men are created equal," and the Supreme Court has since interpreted that to mean all American citizens -- especially when it comes to the right to vote. While I understand your concern about idiots casting ballots, it is, alas, one of democracy's dangers. It is also the reason why democracies stress education. Democracies crave an informed citizenry, which is why apathetic citizens represent a greater danger than voting idiots.

Answer 7

Well, one of the cornerstones of democracy is that you need an educated electorate. Rights don't come without responsibilites and too many people forget that.

The goal of Education is not to make everyone think the same; Education is intended to give you the ability to think for yourself. Thats why going to school is mandated by law.

Its not elitist nor 'fascist' at all, it just makes sense that we want informed people to make important decisions. Its for the same reason that we don't allow children to drive cars or drink alcohol; its not because we don't love them or care about their rights, its BECAUSE we love them.

However I.Q. tests are not all that reliable and thats why we don't base high school graduation on a single test.

Answer 8

Steffan, given that you don't live in our country, you ought to be forgiven for being ignorant of our laws.

We already have federal law in the United States that no literacy test shall be required as a qualification for registering to vote or for voting. That was passed in 1965 and has been repeatedly renewed ever since. So in order for your question to be pertinent, you ought to be asking us whether we should repeal that law.

Answer 9

Someone said only the educated and those who understood politics should vote. Your question appears to be supportive of that view. I really don't know, sometimes it seems everybody is an idiot when they start expressing political views. Vigorous debate produces the best bills, so maybe it takes many views to present all eventuallities, a lot of idiots, to produce brillance.

Answer 10

I think they should have to demonstrate a knowledge of the Constitution, the proper role of government, and an understanding of how government works. This is contrary to the prevailing trend of allowing anyone with a pulse to vote.

Incidentally, voters should be able to understand our common language, English.