me and my friend J have to write a bill for civics class would u pass a bill that stated ppl had to know the basics of politics before being allowed to vote?
2007-09-17 10:47:41 · 21 answers · asked by mama 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
heh.. it seems like a good idea in concept but I totally disagree. While our founding fathers restricted the right to vote to white, male, landowners their foundations have allowed equal treatment of all in the voting system.
If you required a test what would/should be on it? Would it be in more than one language? Would it be orally administered? Would education on these topics be equally administered. This opens up such a cadre of opportunities for abuse that it should never be considered.
However, if there were a bill which said that an educational campaign about our political system and how it works be run for all citizens I'd be behind that.
I do believe it is important for everyone to understand how the system works; I also believe everyone should get off their duffs and do some research before they vote. And I also believe that primaries are a joke and should be foregone so that the best man could have a chance of actually winning instead of some leftover Joe from one of 2 parties. (sorry I'll step off of my soap box now).
2007-09-17 10:58:04 · answer #1 · answered by TYG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I understand why people would think thats a good idea. I still have to say no because if one is going to be governed by laws then a person should have a voice in the system. Sure a lot of people are really stupid and we would likely be better off if they didn't vote but the fact is that since they are going to be governed by the laws that the leaders make they should have a right to have a voice in regards to those laws.
2007-09-18 01:40:45 · answer #2 · answered by John C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. All Americans should vote. All Americans should try their best to understand the issues and how to fix them. If we have just a percentage of the people voting, how do we decide who will be picked? Do you trust every government that we've had through the ages? Because you only need one bad one who puts into law something stupid, then taking away people's right to vote. for instance, what if someone attaches to that law that you must be "Christian" to vote? would you agree with that? What if they then put into that law a few years down the road you must be "Protestant"? What then? A few decades later the law becomes you must be a Male Protestant in good standing with an approved church. Decades down the road the approved churches get widdled down into one, and we have a "Church of England" type thing that all of our founding fathers were running away from.
2007-09-18 02:07:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There already is such a test. But, it's only for foreign-born aliens who wish to become naturalized citizens. When my father applied for his citizenship he had to study some U.S. history, the structure of the three branches of the Federal government and other topics which used to be covered in a course called "Civics" in U.S. schools. Unfortunately that course has been replaced by one called "Social Studies".
Still, there should be no written test in order to vote.
2007-09-17 13:05:46 · answer #4 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bad idea. They used tests like that to prevent people from voting in the South. The problem is that all people have the right to vote, not just those with an approved of level of education.
2007-09-17 10:54:16 · answer #5 · answered by bravozulu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i will bypass with Jon Stewart. The on a regular basis instruct advance into created by two persons from right here (Minnesota) and is loosely in keeping with "The Bedtime information with Dave Moore", a application which ran fairly sporadically on previous due nights on WCCO-television in Minneapolis interior the 1960's. Dave Moore advance into the anchorman of the WCCO 6 and 10 pm information shows, and on Friday or Saturday nights (frequently after the previous due night action picture) he would do "The Bedtime information" the place they'd use outtakes from interviews, unusual information pictures, etc. for humor. i comprehend Al Franken of SNL (and now the U. S. Senate) has stated that as a significant effect.
2016-10-04 21:58:32 · answer #6 · answered by keva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't think so.
Just that they need to know how to be a shepherd with a wooden staff.
Learn how to look after a flock of sheeps.
See that the sheep does not wander lost and jumping over the cliff at loss in finding the way back to the shepherd.
That's where Mark and Luke can help out.
2007-09-17 21:37:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. If it were a test that required people to show a working knowledge of the constitution, economics, banking, monetary policy, social science, international law, history, and forms of government, I would support it. Politics is filled with propaganda and misinformation. What does it prove to have voters show how much they know about it?
2007-09-17 11:02:41 · answer #8 · answered by mick t 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The only requirements are over age 18 and registered to vote. Who is so all knowing that he can design such a test so that it would be fair to everyone?
2007-09-17 10:52:06 · answer #9 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people would NOT be allowed, then!
It's presumptious to think that there's such a thing as an Educated Voter. Most people I know vote just so the guy they hate won't win.
He usually does tho.
2007-09-17 11:17:54 · answer #10 · answered by Angel Primeau 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋