Democracy: Should There Be A Test?

[Peter Parka]

We just had a bi election here. We have Labour: A guy disgraced in politics looking for a cheap way back because the guy who died held a safe seat. No canvasing done whatsoever.
Then we have Conservatives: Plenty of canversing, a good amount of changes suggested and very polite and considerate on the election trail.
Lib Dems: A great guy who I know personally who really cares about people and the best campaign trail out of the three.
Results: Labour gain, both other parties suffered loss. Turnout: Less than a third the electorate, mainly old women stuck in their ways, I held the door open for three of them on my way out of the polling station.
I really think that if democracy should work people should be tested so they know what the fuck the're voting for first! Opinions?:confused

 

[GraceAbounds]

All people of legal age should have the right to vote, so I voted no in the poll. I believe that by keeping people from voting would feed corruption and deceptive discrimination.

I would however support more education on how communities/political systems/government works for grades 9-12.

 

[COOL_BREEZE2]

No. I don't see how one would conduct such a test on a national basis based on the vast amount of population and I don't see why it ought to be a pre-requisite to voting.

 

[Thebest]

I voted yes. I don't think it's very responsible to just let anyone vote for president, especially if they know nothing about politics in General.

But it's not like it matters. The Electoral College has the final say anyways.

 

[TalkWhatever]

I voted yes because we live in a country where far too many of our citizens lack a basic understanding of how our government functions (arguable if it even does). We require this test of people becoming citizens. It's shameful that those who are citizens by accident of birth often know less than those who chose to come here.

 

[dt3]

All people of legal age should have the right to vote, so I voted no in the poll. I believe that by keeping people from voting would feed corruption and deceptive discrimination.

I would however support more education on how communities/political systems/government works for grades 9-12.

:homo:

 

[Reaver]

there are so many people who vote that shouldnt. i voted yes

 

[dt3]

there are so many people who vote that shouldnt. i voted yes

Who shouldn't vote? Besides felons, I do believe the Constitution gives everyone that right.

 

[Reaver]

I am honestly against people who vote on issues they know nothing about. Sry, just a matter of my personal opinion.

 

[dt3]

Hell, I'd rather see the politicians have to take a fucking test.

 

[NightWarrior]

Aren't you supposed to vote based on who the media says to vote for? :dunno:

 

[dt3]

Aren't you supposed to vote based on who the media says to vote for? :dunno:

Only who CNN says. Fox is the devil.

 

[NightWarrior]

I think they should just have to draw straws. They are all a crapshoot if you ask me.

 

[Reaver]

Hell, I'd rather see the politicians have to take a fucking test.

agreed

 

[GraceAbounds]

Hell, I'd rather see the politicians have to take a fucking test.

:homo:

 

[Breath]

If you're going to condone a pre-vote test (which I do not), then we might as well put chastity belts on everyone and make 'em take a pre-sex test, and put everyone on the Pill and make 'em take a pre-parent test before anyone gets pregnant.
(And just so that I am not misconstrued, I do not advocate the examples I mentioned, I am just implying that a pre-vote test is preposterous.)

 

[NightWarrior]

If you're going to condone a pre-vote test (which I do not), then we might as well put chastity belts on everyone and make 'em take a pre-sex test, and put everyone on the Pill and make 'em take a pre-parent test before anyone gets pregnant.
(And just so that I am not misconstrued, I do not advocate the examples I mentioned, I am just implying that a pre-vote test is preposterous.)

Not that I am agreeing one way or the other, but you have to take a test to drive a damn car in this country. Why shouldnt you have to take a test on whether you know what you are voting for? And although your other points were kind of funny, I do agree with them. Not everyone should be a parent.

 

[Ria]

We just had a bi election here. We have Labour: A guy disgraced in politics looking for a cheap way back because the guy who died held a safe seat. No canvasing done whatsoever.
Then we have Conservatives: Plenty of canversing, a good amount of changes suggested and very polite and considerate on the election trail.
Lib Dems: A great guy who I know personally who really cares about people and the best campaign trail out of the three.
Results: Labour gain, both other parties suffered loss. Turnout: Less than a third the electorate, mainly old women stuck in their ways, I held the door open for three of them on my way out of the polling station.
I really think that if democracy should work people should be tested so they know what the fuck the're voting for first! Opinions?:confused

Well, I have to say no I am afraid peter.

Reason being that yes, there are some that don't know what they are actually voting for, but are legally able to vote. Then again, they may well know, just that they have a different point of view that's all - that doesn't mean they have no idea.

How would you recommend pre-vote testing anyway? That would be very long-winded, I'd have thought?

Having different views, doesn't necessarily mean they know nothing of politics.

Frankly, I am surprised anyone is sure of who to vote for anyway, given the complete and utter back-stabbing that all parties do and the lies they tell to get people to put their trust in them, only to completely mess our heads up afterwards.

 

[dt3]

Not that I am agreeing one way or the other, but you have to take a test to drive a damn car in this country. Why shouldnt you have to take a test on whether you know what you are voting for? And although your other points were kind of funny, I do agree with them. Not everyone should be a parent.

Because voting is a right guaranteed by the Constitution, driving a car isn't. Also, not knowing how to drive a car can directly kill others, not knowing politics can't

 

[Peter Parka]

I have nothing against people having different views if they know what those views actually are. How many people who vote for the BNP for instance are actually aware that their economic policy is so retarded it would send our country bankrupt for instance? The majority who vote for them do it simply on the basis of them wanting to get rid of immigrants and have no idea about how else they would run the country.