Do you think the U.S. should institute a civics exam to be able to vote?

[Ramo]

Yes, we should have voting tests. We should also have poll taxes and grandfather clauses.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well, for all intents and purposes we have poll taxes. They are commonly refered to as income and local taxes, though.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Ramo
Yes, we should have voting tests. We should also have poll taxes and grandfather clauses.

I'd just be happy if they could fill in the correct hole on a voting sheet.

[Ramo]

Well, for all intents and purposes we have poll taxes. They are commonly refered to as taxes, though.

Last time I checked, not voting doesn't exempt one's tax payments, nor does paying the tax automatically confer the ability to vote.

I'd just be happy if they could fill in the correct hole on a voting sheet.

But they have computers now.

[nationalist]

I think that such a test would be a good idea (but I think that they have been declared unconstitutional)

I also think that Americans should have to do a one year stint in the military or in a CCC-type organization before earning the vote.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Last time I checked, not voting doesn't exempt one's tax payments, nor does paying the tax automatically confer the ability to vote.

I believe that everyone that votes pays taxes of some kind.

[GePap]

Why is the test side gaining?

Obviously we have a bunch of champions of universal sufferage here on poly....

[nationalist]

GePap, why is universal suffrage a good thing?

[Ramo]

I believe that everyone that votes pays taxes of some kind.

Sure, but that doesn't make sales taxes, income taxes, payroll taxes, etc. poll taxes.

If you're an ex-convict in many states and you pay these taxes, you still don't have the ability to vote. Likewise, if you're a minor, you still don't have the ability to vote. On the other hand, if you refuse to vote, you still have to pay these taxes.

So, these forms of taxes are certainly not poll taxes.

GePap, why is universal suffrage a good thing?

Universal suffrage is the best way of insuring that everyones' interests will be represented in the state.

[GePap]

Because without it you introduce social distinctions that can lead to internal porblems and devides. I don;t think a large modern society can be very stable if the majority of individuals are either not citizens, or citizens without the right to participate. remeber why the voting age got moved down to 18: cause there were people asking why a 18 year old could die for his country but not participate in the political decisions that would mena war or peace. I say, if you want to deny people the vote based on their knowledge, then you must also exclude them form the reponsibilities of citizenship, such as serving in the military or jury duty. Without the fundamental rights of a citizen, how can you be asked to bear the reponsibilities of one?

[nationalist]

I think that voting is something that is too important to put into the hands of any idiot. Voting is something that requires some modicum of Civic Responsibility to work effectively; it needs to be exercised by people who either have political awareness or something iin stake in their country other than the idea of just cashing their paycheck. I personally hate the idea of programs such as "Rock the Vote". All this is is MTV mobilizing a largely ignorant group of the electorate and voting for who Brittney Spears tells them to vote for. I think that people should have to earn the right to vote somehow. Voting should be something that is cherised and exercised with discretion, not because MTV told me to vote for some candidate.

[GePap]

Well, if so, why should any idiot be allowed to run for office, or be given a gun for that matter? Or why should we let 16 year olds drive?

The fact is that the people you complain about don't vote period. Given that general turnout is 60% on a good election now a days, putting barriers aropund voting is the last thing we want. we already have too few people participating in elections.

As I said before, if people are given good, accurate, non-biased and spinned info they can come up with an intelligent choice. But even then, all we aks for in democracy is a choice, not a smart one.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Sure, but that doesn't make sales taxes, income taxes, payroll taxes, etc. poll taxes.

They indoubtably involve a poll tax. Poll taxes mean you have to pay to vote. There is no one out there that votes but doesn't pay any taxes.

Direct poll taxes, simply try to eliminate the middle man, and have the people who are voting pay taxes then and there.

This is why more people should go out an vote. Their money is being used for the upkeep of the polls, so by not voting they are wasting their money.

[Skanky Burns]

I say no. Everyone pays for the government, they should also have a say in how their money is spent. Regardless of how insignificant their input is.

The "voter turnout" issue is null for Australia though. Everyone votes, or is fined $50.

[Jon Shafer]

I say yes.

Anyone who knows anything about history knows what happens when you give the entire populace the vote... just look at what happened to France.