Should there be a pre-voting qualification test in this country?

Question

Perhaps weeding out the politically illiterate would improve the quality of representation in this country? It doesn't have to be difficult, just screened for sighs of racial, political, or social bigotry. I'm all for the Constitution, but it was intended for educated men (yes, and women).

Answer 1

Yes, there definitely should be. The majority of people just run around screaming about things they heard on TV. The next time you hear someone Bush-bashing, ask them about it. They'll realize that they have no idea what they're talking about and shut up immedietly. It's not that I agree with Bush's policies; I just hate people influencing others with information they know nothing about.

Answer 2

Ignoring the inherent elitism in the question, the problem is who is "marking" the test, who is designing the test etc. That's why tests were banned the voting rights act.

Not to mention that testing for "bigotry" wouldn't weed out the "politically illiterate" at all. A test for bigotry would be a personality/sociopsychological test. A neutral test of general knowledge about US Civics would not reveal bigotry.

Bigots have just as much right to vote as anyone else, and,even though, as a, democrat I would benefit from a bigotry test, as it would wipe the "base" of the republican party from the voter roll, I wouldn't support it. .

Answer 3

If you can show me where in the Constitution it says that only educated men could vote I might be inclined to agree but since it says nothing of the sort I think you would have a hard time getting any limitations on voting, other than age, past a constitutional test. Who then determines the level of political literacy that must be met. Is it enough to know who is running? Should they know the basics of a candidates platform, have a general working knowledge, or be able to cite chapter and verse where a candidate stands on all issues? I could go on but I think you get my meaning.

Answer 4

They tried that already, if you remember your history. The Supreme Court overturned this because they found it unconstitutional. The reasoning was that everyone should have a say in how their country is run, regardless. Just because someone can't read doesn't mean they don't have an opinion. I have a friend (well, kind of an acquaintance really) who is dyslexic and can barely read at all (everything looks upside down and squishy to her), but she knows more about the U.S. government and how politics work than most adults. She is super smart, but she wouldn't be able to pass a literacy test like that because of her condition. I don't think it's right, but who knows? Crazier laws have been passed.

Answer 5

You know that such a test would never work. The problem is that many people complain about how the world is being run and about all the politicians but, most people (even the best educated) are not even registered to vote. They don't consider it an honor and a priviledge to vote for the person they consider to be the most qualified to run their towns, their counties, their states and their Country. They don't consider the freedoms that we have to be anything special. They would rather read about movie stars and sports than show concern for important issues; they have no understanding of the Constitution and the rights we have and many that we are losing, the ability to moniter our borders for the safety of our people, the right to protect our families and our homes (and our properties) etc. The list goes on and on. We cannot weed out the ones we don't want to vote but we can try to do our part to help to educate people on the importance of voting and educating yourself about who is running for office, what they have to offer and what the consequences will be for voting for the right one or not voting at all. It is a known fact that there are many uneducated and mentally handicapped who are paid to vote for people they don't even know, and that is and should be considered a crime. I'd rather take the time to help to educate the people and get them registered to vote.

Answer 6

I work in a place where my boss is an "elected official", a Sheriff. How do you think I feel when absolute idiots vote for my new boss, when they absolutely no idea what the job is, what it requires, or what they do. We usually end up with which ever idiot hands out the most bumper stickers and holds the most signs, or gives out the most political hack jobs. I agree that people need to be more educated before they vote.

Answer 7

How do you propose the uneducated advocating for themselves to become educated if they cannot vote for someone who finds their cause of value? Also testing was a part of voting in this country during the reconstruction of the south after the Civil War. Uneducated African Amercans were wrongly given biased test to prevent them from voting (black codes), however they were only uneducated becasue slavery took place and they were kept from an education, look at them now! If they were never allowoed to vote they may not have come so far in society creating an educated people. The poor and uneducated already have 3 strikes against them lets not kick them while they are down.

Answer 8

It is easy ensure that people get a good education along with life coping skills. There are too many laws, rules, etc. I support public education over private anytime.

You forgot to also mention that politicians use think tanks to create foreign and domestic policies along with the majority of the laws passed. When the Patriot Acts were passed many admitted that they did not fully read the Acts and its consequences.

There should be one for all politicians.

Answer 9

The Constitution was to protect all but the black or Indian people
The Constitution was to protect all the elite at the time and i do agree with you but I would also say that the people that passed the test and voted also had to pay all the taxes and fight all the wars.

Answer 10

Actually, we've tried that. That and the poll tax were both attempts to keep African-Americans/black/colored people from voting. How wrong is that, for a nation who's basic premise was that all men are entitled to certain unalienable rights.
The actual fact is, that, it doesn't matter how smart you are, in this country, you have one vote. That is the main thing that makes me still proud to be an American.
Vote your conscience.

Answer 11

No. Every citizen has a right to vote. Perhaps someone would think YOU are ineligible because you want to put restrictions on those who are seeking to vote.

What we really don't want here is an electorate composed of the educated elite, deciding what the rest of us poor schmucks will do. That ain't the American way.