The Right to Vote

[Wonderer]

if we have a right to vote, we should have a right to take our fair share of resources and secede from our country

[sterling]

@The Paineful Truth

Economics/taxes is the link. There are people, who vote, who believe that the government should have a lot more hand-outs since all they have to do is to print more money to cover it. A more common belief is that the economy is a zero sum game no different than their check books. In fact, the greatest improvement in the franchise would be accomplished by a minimal education in just this one area–which is totally avoided (if not misrepresented) in most schools.

I would guess that more than 80% of the country falls under one of these two. So now you’re at 20% of the country deciding the fate of others because of your criteria. Since only slightly more than half of eligible voters exercised their franchise in the last election we would now be at just about 10% truly ruling the country. Not so bad, right, because arguably these would be the most qualified. Yet, with a simple amendment you could be eliminated from that list. Why not leave it how it stands now, being a citizen (with some other small exceptions) as the only requirement. With the number of voters and the electoral college, elections show an overall national sentiment. It has works so far without any disastrous effects. Have you ever read Starship Troopers? Robert Heinlin addresses this very argument so well that one finds themselves defending fascism.

[The_Paineful_Truth]

@sterling

I would guess that more than 80% of the country falls under one of these two. So now you’re at 20% of the country deciding the fate of others because of your criteria. Since only slightly more than half of eligible voters exercised their franchise in the last election we would now be at just about 10% truly ruling the country.

Once the 80% (I think you’re high, but for the sake of argument) realize all they have to do is to gain a few very simple bits of knowledge, and they have the minimal motivation to do so, they can vote. The hope is, once they pick up that knowledge, they won’t be so easy to manipulate, and it will be a spark for gaining more knowledge, leading to them and the country to become more prosperous and less corrupt.

The 20% are the most motivated to begin with so the number of voters (not rulers) would be close to that percentage–and that number would grow to 50%+ rapidly via the test. In any case, 20% composed of knowledgeable voters becoming 100% is still a whole lot better than that 20% vs. the 60% hysterics and the ignorant.

[sterling]

@The Paineful Truth

@sterling

I would guess that more than 80% of the country falls under one of these two. So now you’re at 20% of the country deciding the fate of others because of your criteria. Since only slightly more than half of eligible voters exercised their franchise in the last election we would now be at just about 10% truly ruling the country.

Once the 80% (I think you’re high, but for the sake of argument) realize all they have to do is to gain a few very simple bits of knowledge, and they have the minimal motivation to do so, they can vote. The hope is, once they pick up that knowledge, they won’t be so easy to manipulate, and it will be a spark for gaining more knowledge, leading to them and the country to become more prosperous and less corrupt.

The 20% are the most motivated to begin with so the number of voters (not rulers) would be close to that percentage–and that number would grow to 50%+ rapidly via the test. In any case, 20% composed of knowledgeable voters becoming 100% is still a whole lot better than that 20% vs. the 60% hysterics and the ignorant.

You know, I hope that my numbers are high, but sadly I have a feeling in my gut that they are spot on.

I gotta be honest, sometimes all that ignorance and hysterics drives me mad too. Yet, then I remember that there are things that I am passionate about in this life as well and there are those that would call me ignorant and hysterical for thinking those things.

My best argument, again, is that in its simplicity, the test you are calling for will eliminate neither ignorance nor hysterics. And if those are the only criteria, even a monkey could be taught very quickly to answer correctly when prompted. There are some brilliant people in this world who do and fall for some very asinine things. Again, the overall social need and desire is met with our current model.

[Liteninbolt]

I thought this might be appropriate to this this topic. An email was sent to concerning the knowledge of civics. I will post it as it was sent to me:

This link will take you to a most interesting website. There, you can take a test that measures your knowledge of our country’s knowledge in history, government, the constitution, economics, and the bill of rights. It also provides some provocative information, for example, elected officials score lower on this test than do those who have never been elected to public office. It also shows that many colleges do a poor job in teaching students about civics. Many of the top-rated colleges/universities produce more uninformed graduates than less expensive schools.

I think you will find it most interesting…

      [americancivicliteracy.org/re ... /quiz.aspx](http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx)

[Xunzian]

33 out of 33. I was surprised to see the average was as low as the mid-70s. Those questions weren’t difficult.

[Phoebus]

27 out of 33. Having never lived in your country, I’m happy with that. (if anyone cares - which I doubt - I got q 6,7,8,9,11,14 wrong) They are pretty easy questions.

On the right to vote; personally I see it as the lesser evil, rather than strictly the best system.