| Feb 23 @ 12:38 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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In watching tv cable, reading the comments online, and just talking to people, I have reached the reluctant conclusion that some people just shouldn't vote. I am bias, so I think most of these people have political ideas mostly associated with the Republican party, but political ignorance is something that isn't isolated to one party. Republicans, or some of them, claim to be the party of intellectuals, but I have to wonder. I think that it might be interesting to have a process by which when we register to vote we are, voluntarily or otherwise---you decide-- asked to submit to a exam. We are required to pass an exam to drive a car and other things, but in one of the most important decisions we can make there is no pre-requisite required other than we be of voting age. Do you think that we should have some sort of competency review, and if so, what sort of questions and other processes do you think we should enact ?
[Edited on 2/23/2009 12:43 PM]
[Edited on 2/23/2009 2:50 PM]
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| Feb 23 @ 12:43 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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Gallows_Humor
Posts: 13,649
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short answer is.. no.. no test.. but a proper ID is something I am in favor of...
everyone over 18 should be allowed to voice (vote) their opinion..
just as everyone has the right to state what they think..
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| Feb 23 @ 12:49 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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Recently release folks from insane asylums, or some that should be in them, can vote. So can people that refuse to vote for a person just because of their race, religion, or because of some lie that they were told, etc. I mean there are actually people that thought that President Obama was going to declare some sort of muslim religious Jihad when he was sworn in. When people like that vote is the intent of the founding father really served ?
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| Feb 23 @ 12:52 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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Gallows_Humor
Posts: 13,649
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the extremes will always be a minority..and are nothing to fear...
it is when the majority are sheep that ignore the facts but act with emotions ..that I have a problem with...
(case in point...vote Palin as she is  )
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| Feb 23 @ 12:54 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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pomegranate
Posts: 1,676
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Well, considering so many people vote from a personal perspective with regard to issues that they consider important, I don't know how there can be a fair and equitable "across-the-board" test that would qualify or disqualify someone's competence to vote for a particular candidate or party.
Just because someone is a walking encyclopedia of political knowledge doesn't qualify for them to vote for what *I* consider important, nor for whom I consider will address the issues that are most important to me.
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| Feb 23 @ 1:09 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,625
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I think IQ tests should be inforced to be able to vote. or maybe the same test that immigrants take to become an American. If you can pass it, you can vote.
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| Feb 23 @ 2:21 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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here is some of what i'm talking about
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| Feb 23 @ 2:23 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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JOY555
Posts: 212
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the extremes will always be a minority..and are nothing to fear...
it is when the majority are sheep that ignore the facts but act with emotions ..that I have a problem with...
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| Feb 23 @ 2:30 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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There are quite a few authors out there saying that some can best exercise their civic duty by staying home on election day. The arguement is that our electoral system is broken because too many American either don't know, or don't care enough about the most important political issues. Of coures the media can be blame for a lot of this. The founding fathers relied on a "well informed citizenry" in order for democracy to work. But too often the media is advancing the agenda of corporate America, and is bias. The only way to find out the unbias truth is to rely ourselve on a variety of sources, the internet, cable tv, educating ourselves in colleges and by having discussion with people; even taking part in the political discussion online here on MD--although I hope thats not where you get all your news.
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| Feb 23 @ 2:37 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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pomegranate
Posts: 1,676
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Well, those people wouldn't be labeled "sheep" if they agree with our candidates and our views, now, would they? Hmmm....isn't it interesting how quick we are to label people as dumb, mindless animals "following the herd" simply because they don't happen to be as smart as we perceive ourselves to be, or simply because what issues are important to them don't coincide with the issues that are important to us, as individuals?
****
O, I viewed the tape and yeah, they seem rather clueless. But maybe Roe v. Wade isn't an issue for them, personally. Or maybe the Pro-Life versus Pro Choice issue is, but because it is, is that any reason they'd have to be able to know what Roe v. Wade refers to in order to vote for a candidate that they knew agreed with their stance on the abortion issue? Or what relevance does how many senators a state has, really, on why someone would vote for a particular candidate or not? Not saying it's not good, basic information to know, but I just don't see why it's relevant to choosing your favorite candidate for political office.
If they're going to question someone's "competence" regarding voting, they should question them on who they want to vote for, and why, and/or question them on their party affiliation and their understanding of its basic beliefs and principles, as well as the various issues that concern them, personally.
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| Feb 23 @ 2:40 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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budo13
Posts: 3,609
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I find it interesting that a person questions others intellect and misspells license.That's not really here nor there the other interesting thing is the post infers Republicans as lacking intellect.I actually agree with the poster that more political education is needed but to prevent certain groups from voting cannot be the answer we seek.JMHO
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| Feb 23 @ 2:47 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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If they're going to question someone's "competence" regarding voting, they should question them on who they want to vote for, and why, and/or question them on their party affiliation and their understanding of its basic beliefs and principles, as well as the various issues that concern them, personally.
I agree. And I think the way that our system is suppose to work counts on people exercising a little maturity when it comese to voting. Meaning, being honest with yourself about whether your motives are really in the best interest of democracy, or are you allowing yourself to be manipulated. That maturity would also carry over to at least making an effort to educate yourself about the person you intend to vote for, the party platform and philosophical focus, voting records, and so forth. It gets complicated though, and sometimes you have to use your emotionals, and your instincts. For instance, I didn't care much for the Republican Party as a whole, but I was willing to vote for McCain based on his record of beng a Veteran, and what I could see about his character. That was early on in the primaries. As time went on I started liking him less and less, with all the flip-flopping. Palin put me over the edge.
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| Feb 23 @ 2:54 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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Carol386
Posts: 3,705
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I seem to recall in a history class or two a particular document that was implemented a couple hundred years ago that allowed us to vote as we saw fit. I think it also allows us to express our opinions as well. I didn't seem to recall reading that at the end of it there would be a test that would be required for us to pass in order for us to be able to take advantage of our rights.
I really wish more people would open their minds and understand that it is my right to believe the way I do and vote the way I do - just because it may not be the way that someone else believes does not make it wrong. This is such a broken record - 
If people don't like the outcome of this past election - now is the time to get off your butts and start making changes for the next election - this too is a right of ours. Seek out who stands for what you believe in, work to get them elected - even if they do not get elected, you can have the satisfaction in knowing that at least you tried to make a difference and were not one of the ones that just sat on the side lines and complained but was not willing to get out and help make a change.
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| Feb 23 @ 2:54 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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Budo consider that when I post about voters, that it would include me ? I am a voter, and any statement I make pro or con, includes me. And if you read the op you might have noticed that I said that political ignorance is not limited to one party. If we had to be perfect before we posted here, no one would post anything... 
thanks for pointing out the misspelling though it's been changed
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| Feb 23 @ 2:58 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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Well I tried to change it, both when I was writing it and just now, but there seems to be something wrong with the website here. I've had this problem before.
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| Feb 23 @ 3:03 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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budo13
Posts: 3,609
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Dude the only problem i have is you become bipartisan right out of the gate.yes i saw where you said it "isn' isolated to one party".Then you continue to belittle repub's again.Why not eliminate your bias, with me at least it would carry more weight.
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| Feb 23 @ 3:10 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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I admitted that I was bias, and , as far as belittling Republicans, you might also noticed that I said only some repbulicans, and only said that I have to wonder if the Republican party is the "intellectual" party. BTW, I will post anyway that I see fit. Don't try to bully me just because you don't agree.
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| Feb 23 @ 3:10 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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pomegranate
Posts: 1,676
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If mispelling a word makes one incompetent to vote, then, boy, are we in trouble. Just as in the case when someone uses the word "infer," when they should have used "imply."
But I digress. Obviously, licensing does not really qualify anyone competent to do anything. And if you believe that, then you've apparently never seen Nashville drivers in action. LOL!
I also never understood why being a veteran -- a war hero, even, makes one a better candidate to run for POTUS...sure, it's a great thing that they served our country in battle, but does that fact make them the best candidate to head an entire country? No, not necessarily... 
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| Feb 23 @ 3:18 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ?
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budo13
Posts: 3,609
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Now i'm a bully?GRRRRRRRRRRRRate so voicing my opinion is bulling.As far as the spelling error i found it funny that a person questioning others intellect would misspell.Infer,Imply your picking fly shit out of pepper again Pome
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| Feb 23 @ 4:55 PM |
Should we need to have a lincense to vote ? |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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I also never understood why being a veteran -- a war hero, even, makes one a better candidate to run for POTUS...sure, it's a great thing that they served our country in battle, but does that fact make them the best candidate to head an entire country? No, not necessarily
Well in McCain's case he had been a Senator for some time, as well as being a war hero, a former Officer during war, as well as a champion for Veterans rights. I respected his service to this country as well as his opposition to torture, and felt that he would be a "Veterans" President. Because of that respect I left myself open to the possibility of voting for him. I can't say that I ever seriously considered it for any real length of time. But I was willing to at least entertain the possibility. What I admired most about him was that he was some what of a maverick, and often sided against the Republicans in things like torture.
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