Should you have to pass a basic civics test to be able to vote?

[rockmom]

Inalienable:

unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor.

 

No such word as unalienable.

[Getslow]

This whole thing seems so defeatist... which is as un-American an idea as I can think of. This is the country of "We can do better" and "We are a city set upon a hill" since its very foundation. So to suggest "There's nothing we can do for these people so let's not allow them to vote" just seems so awful. Like we're giving up on a fully representative democracy.

 

I want to find a way to get more people engaged, not eliminate voters.

 

I want a country where people care about what's going on and know who their leaders are. I don't think the way to get there is to start limiting voter rolls based on who can pass a test.

[bugatti]

What do aliens have to do with this discussion?

[Getslow]

No such word as unalienable.

 

Both are considered correct and synonymous in modern usage.

 

"Unalienable" is the form used by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence.

 

"Un-" and "In-" were not historically identical prefixes but today are essentially considered such.

 

Both words have appeared in legal dictionaries with roughly similar definitions, though not identical.

[mcpapa]

What do aliens have to do with this discussion?

 

The Democrats probably want them to vote.

 

(A pre-emptive strike).

[mcpapa]

This whole thing seems so defeatist... which is as un-American an idea as I can think of. This is the country of "We can do better" and "We are a city set upon a hill" since its very foundation. So to suggest "There's nothing we can do for these people so let's not allow them to vote" just seems so awful. Like we're giving up on a fully representative democracy.

 

I want to find a way to get more people engaged, not eliminate voters.

 

I want a country where people care about what's going on and know who their leaders are. I don't think the way to get there is to start limiting voter rolls based on who can pass a test.

 

As should we all.

[bugatti]

I have already said my answer is NO to this question, but I do not think the intent is to disenfranchise, it is merely pointing out how ill-informed many voters are. The big question is not who should be allowed to vote or not vote, it should be, how can we make people give a hoot about anything outside of their bubble? And the answer is, America was created so that people can give two craps if they so choose. It is a sad reality, sure. But that is how it is.

[spindoc]

I think you should have to pass a science test in order to vote.

 

I'd like to administer one and see how you did without the benefit of Google.

[rockmom]

Both are considered correct and synonymous in modern usage.

 

"Unalienable" is the form used by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence.

 

"Un-" and "In-" were not historically identical prefixes but today are essentially considered such.

 

Both words have appeared in legal dictionaries with roughly similar definitions, though not identical.

 

It's not in my edition of Webster, therefore it doesn't exist.

[mcpapa]

Both are considered correct and synonymous in modern usage.

 

"Unalienable" is the form used by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence.

 

"Un-" and "In-" were not historically identical prefixes but today are essentially considered such.

 

Both words have appeared in legal dictionaries with roughly similar definitions, though not identical.

 

Heck, I had a hard enough time with flammable and inflammable.

[Getslow]

Heck, I had a hard enough time with flammable and inflammable.

 

I'll help you: flammable is a made-up word that had to be concocted for people who are too dumb to vote.

[rockmom]

Both are considered correct and synonymous in modern usage.

 

"Unalienable" is the form used by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence.

 

"Un-" and "In-" were not historically identical prefixes but today are essentially considered such.

 

Both words have appeared in legal dictionaries with roughly similar definitions, though not identical.

 

Jefferson may be a Founding Father, but that doesn't mean he could spell.

[Getslow]

Jefferson may be a Founding Father, but that doesn't mean he could spell.

 

What do you expect from a William & Mary grad? Should have had a true gentleman of Harvard, like John Adams, put it together.

[mcpapa]

What do you expect from a William & Mary grad? Should have had a true gentleman of Harvard, like John Adams, put it together.

 

Too bad Ram wasn't around at the time.

[spindoc]

Too bad Ram wasn't around at the time.

 

Say what you like about Ram. He could have killed a guy in less than 2 minutes.