Should the 11% who approve of Congress and the 24% who approve of Bush's job performance be banned from voting

Question

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1624620720071017?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

No, we ban felons from voting. Why not people who are clearly insane?

Answer 1

FUNNY: In 2004 we the people elected George W Bush to a second term as president to keep doing what he was doing. Then in 2006 we the people elected democrats into congress and the senate to try and stop George W Bush from continuing to do what we elected him to do just 2 years before. And now the president has a 24% approval rating and congress has an 11% approval rating? I think EVERYBODY needs to take a deep breath and THINK before they vote, since it's obvious that nobody can see farther than 2 years down the road!

Answer 2

I do believe anyone judged mentally imbalanced or otherwise mentally challanged has no right to cast a vote, by demonstrating in any number of ways their incompetence to function normally in society, and having been declared legally incompetent to get along in the world without either behavorial or pharmecutical assistance.

"Political denial of reality" is not one of these criteria. Someone can be completely in denial about a Preisdent or other political figure, and still be a normal, functioning member of society.

However, merely being a certain number of years of age and having a pulse are not adequate reasons to grant someone a franchise, in any rational democracy.

I fully support the notion that, any citizen who desires to cast a vote in a local or national election, must first solve some basic math or reading comprehension problem, reduce fractions, etc, SOMETHING to demonstrate clear reasoning ability and simple brain function, before being allowed to cast their vote.

To this end, I would remove the age restrictions on voting in the US. Why is an adult moron (not an insult, the term is a legitimate medical diagnosis) more qualified to vote than a 10 year old genius?

Answer is, he or she ISN'T, and demonstrating an intelligence required to vote rationally should be the only criteria (other than being a citizen of the country who has not had that right removed for some other reason, such as being a felon, etc) necessary to cast your vote. Casting a vote isn't like entering into a contract (something minors are not legally able to do and if they do, the contract cannot be enforced, usually), so allowing them to have an intelligent stake in their own future can only build a sense of civic participation and societal responsibility sorely lacking in US culture today.

Answer 3

I would imagine at least 1/3 of the people who disapprove of Congress (about 1/4 of the total), would have a different view if they could actually get something accomplished. But the President who would veto nothing in his first 6 years seems prepared to veto everything now.

But I will say Pelosi's Armenian resolution probably isn't going to improve Congress's approval ratings.

Answer 4

Ummmm, railroad dave, this isn't a democracy. I don't particularly want a politician asking the mob what they want; I want one who stands by Constitutional principles and votes on issues based on whether or not it fits into the framework set up by the Founding Fathers.

As to the main question, we need an IQ test at the polls, even though the 24% and the 11% are two different groups of people, both of which are a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

Answer 5

No.


You must be a democrat. You guys didn't want the blacks to vote then you didn't want the women to vote and a couple of years ago you didn't want the military personal to vote. Now you want to eliminate anyone that disagrees with you, WOW.
So which dictator do you see as running your world when you remove everyone's rights but your own?

Answer 6

I suppose that most liberals or anti-war junkies would want to suppress the views of others, however, I believe that all Americans of age do have the right to cast a vote.

Answer 7

let them vote for the bad guys .when a candidate says ' I want this and I'll do that " they are being a fascist dictator . in a democracy , a candidate is suppose to asks 'what do you ,the people, want ?' i believe both major parties are corrupt . lets all vote 'other' .

Answer 8

No.

It's interesting that you think it reasonable to believe that people who disagree with you must be insane and thus deprived of rights.

Robespierre would have approved of your sentiment, but he would have challenged your softness.

Answer 9

No one should be banned from voting unless their a fellon. And even then, they deserve a change to redeem themselves.

Answer 10

HECK no, we live in a free country and therefore can vote either way the wind blows us. Who's to say what group can vote and who they can vote for?