LiveWire Network Peer Answers Peer Support Teen Forums Tech Forums College Forums 605 users online 211478 members 1621 active today Advertise Here Sign In
TeenCollegeTechPhotos | Quizzes | LiveSecret | Memberlist | Dictionary | News | FAQ
Member Spotlight
The Professional
Supportiveness: 91.75%
Mood: Honest
You have 1 new message.
Emergency Help
Until you sign up you can't do much. Yes, it's free.

Sign Up Now
Membername:
Password:
Already have an account?
Invite Friends
Active Members
Groups
Contests
Moderators
3 online / 69 MPM
Fresh Topics
  LiveWire / Teen Forums / The Political Teen / Viewing Topic

Should there be some sort of knowledge test for voting?
Replies: 8Last Post Dec. 24, 2008 8:06am by Shibs
Welcome to LiveWire!
We're Stronger Together.
Join the Community
Single page for this topic Email Print Favorite
Choice Votes Percent  
Yes, I think we should make a standardized knowledge test based on US government and US citizenship 4 18%
Yes there should be a standardized test, but I think the test should focus more on an internaitonal scope 2 9%
Yes, there should be a standardized test that focuses on basic domestic and internaitonal knowledge 6 27%
No, every US citizen 18 and over should be granted the right to vote automatically, it's their right as Americans 10 45%
Vote Now! 22 Votes Cast
( boy4boy15 )


Dairy Product Addict
Reply
My friend and I were having a debate on this. He argued that a lot of people who vote simply shouldn't have the right to, because they're 'too stupid to decide on the future of our country when they don't take any tiem to educate themselves on basic knowledge.

He cited a girl in our class who didn't know what a Republican was, and said she would vote for Obama because 'hes cool.' He then pointed to a kid who is an Evangelical Christian and believes we are in a holy war with the East and Islam.

This test hypothetically wouldn't be very difficult and could be taken over until you passed, but would be a requirement that you passed before you could vote. My friend suggested including questions like you'd find in the US citizenship test, and a portion about modern events as well, such as 'Is Iran a Sunni or Shiaa Islamic state?', 'Are Allah, God, and Yahweh the same god?' (yes obviously) and stuff like that.

You can see where this would get a bit sketchy, especially when it delves into religion and other topics, and may even be accused of desciminatory practices, but i kind of agree with him that there is crtain basic knowledge, and even certian truths voters should acknowledge before they vote.

Should we have a standardized test? Should it be based on basic US government questions, or have a slew of internatonal questions as well?


5:50 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: Oct. 2005 | Days Active: 650
Join to learn more about boy4boy15 Minnesota, United States | Gay Male | Posts: 2,943 | Points: 9,905
honeybee3333

Connoisseur
Reply
eh, i really just wanted my 1/4 point
i voted the last one

-------
i've lost you somewhere in forever
so let's start this all over ♥

5:51 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: June 2008 | Days Active: 115
Join to learn more about honeybee3333 Ohio, United States | Bi-curious Female | Posts: 5,614 | Points: 6,192
JasonHot


Dairy Product Addict
Reply
usa once had tests to keep stupid blacks from voting -- the smart ones passed but it kept black voters way down -- anyways those tests are illegal now.   besides, blacks wud say its meant to keep em from votin and u think OBAMA wud sign that bill?  LMFAO.

5:53 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: Oct. 2007 | Days Active: 209
Join to learn more about JasonHot New York, United States | Male | Posts: 2,281 | Points: 4,732
( boy4boy15 )


Dairy Product Addict
Reply
Quote: from JasonHot at 7:53 am on Dec. 24, 2008

usa once had tests to keep stupid blacks from voting -- the smart ones passed but it kept black voters way down -- anyways those tests are illegal now. besides, blacks wud say its meant to keep em from votin and u think OBAMA wud sign that bill? LMFAO.

It wouldnt be aimed toward any group, obviously more educated people would be able to pass it pretty easily, but if a person fails and is given the right to take the test again and actually learn stuff and become more educated they have no right to complain.

I mean do you want a dumbass who doesn't even know the difference between a democrat and a republican voting?


5:57 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: Oct. 2005 | Days Active: 650
Join to learn more about boy4boy15 Minnesota, United States | Gay Male | Posts: 2,943 | Points: 9,905
Sins and Demons


Wealthy Hobo
Reply
This is why we have the electoral college

-------
Know your enemies and know yourself,
you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; Sun Tzu

5:59 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: Dec. 2006 | Days Active: 388
Join to learn more about Sins and Demons Connecticut, United States | Posts: 1,916 | Points: 5,932
Shibs


Visionary

Sustainer
Reply
Quote: from JasonHot at 5:53 am on Dec. 24, 2008

usa once had tests to keep stupid blacks from voting -- the smart ones passed but it kept black voters way down -- anyways those tests are illegal now. besides, blacks wud say its meant to keep em from votin and u think OBAMA wud sign that bill? LMFAO.

Agreed. Im sure there is a good reason things like Jim Crow laws were made illegal.
Lets not bring them back...

-------
I can thrill you more than any ghost would ever dare try.
Do You Attract Creepers?


6:00 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: Sep. 2008 | Days Active: 195
Join to learn more about Shibs Michigan, United States | Straight Female | Posts: 6,271 | Points: 9,167
JasonHot


Dairy Product Addict
Reply
Quote: from Shibs at 9:00 am on Dec. 24, 2008

Quote: from JasonHot at 5:53 am on Dec. 24, 2008

usa once had tests to keep stupid blacks from voting -- the smart ones passed but it kept black voters way down -- anyways those tests are illegal now.   besides, blacks wud say its meant to keep em from votin and u think OBAMA wud sign that bill?  LMFAO.

Agreed. Im sure there is a good reason things like Jim Crow laws were made illegal.
Lets not bring them back...


well im not sayin its a bad idea, i just dont think the blacks would ever allow it.


6:13 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: Oct. 2007 | Days Active: 209
Join to learn more about JasonHot New York, United States | Male | Posts: 2,281 | Points: 4,732
Skunk


Connoisseur
Reply
Quote: from boy4boy15 at 8:57 am on Dec. 24, 2008

I mean do you want a dumbass who doesn't even know the difference between a democrat and a republican voting?

So shouldn't voter education be the priority then?

-------
"But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever."


6:56 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: Feb. 2003 | Days Active: 584
Join to learn more about Skunk District Of Columbia, United States | Straight Male | Posts: 1,199 | Points: 7,050
Shibs


Visionary

Sustainer
Reply
Quote: from Skunk at 6:56 am on Dec. 24, 2008

Quote: from boy4boy15 at 8:57 am on Dec. 24, 2008


 I mean do you want a dumbass who doesn't even know the difference between a democrat and a republican voting?

So shouldn't voter education be the priority then?


Yeah, exactly. If we are going to change anything, it should be educating people on the  candidates. Even something as simple as more civics classes in high schools, to prepare young voters.

-------
I can thrill you more than any ghost would ever dare try.
Do You Attract Creepers?


8:06 am on Dec. 24, 2008 | Joined: Sep. 2008 | Days Active: 195
Join to learn more about Shibs Michigan, United States | Straight Female | Posts: 6,271 | Points: 9,167
Single page for this topic Email Print Favorite

Quick Reply

You are signed in as our guest.

Looking for something else?
 

  LiveWire / Teen Forums / The Political Teen / Viewing Topic