With regard to all the politics discussions on here: Another question EDITED FOR CLARIFICATION IN THE FIRST MSG

Do you think there should be a minimum level of education with regard to current events for a person to be eligible to vote?

If HS really educated us, that would be a good base. But since it doesn't, sometimes I feel like a current events kind of test would prevent some of the politicians from gaining office?

I am referring to some basic understanding of current events, not formal degree education, such as college/university

NO NO NO!!!

that would set our system back a century...back when men though woman werent 'smart' enough to vote!!

I would hope that when people go to vote...they sort of know the issues!! I may not read the paper everyday, and some current events go right over my head, but I still have the right to vote.

I'm sorry Alina, but I have to strongly disagree with that suggestion. It reminds me of how southern states attempted to prevent african americans from voting by requiring them to take impossibly hard tests.

No tests. Even educated people ignore the debates and issues and simply vote along party lines or whoever has the nicest banner outside of the voting areas.

NO TESTS!!!

I agree for all the reasons stated above...most states have a government requirement to graduate from HS...and while there are people who do not graduate it doesn't mean that they do not know the issues...


this would just open up a can of worms...

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Posted by Becky

No tests. Even educated people ignore the debates and issues and simply vote along party lines or whoever has the nicest banner outside of the voting areas.

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Becky, that's very very true, which is if we were to test all those eligible to vote, you may have a different outcome in elections...

I am a perfect example of someone who is educated, yet don't keep up with the politics as much as I feel I should... That's the reason why I DON'T vote in local elections and only vote along a party line with regard to a presidential election.

However, I feel that if too many people pick the candidate with the nicest banner, you can have a governing body that is not reflective of people's choices.

I am not saying that you should test some people but not all, what I am saying is to either test all or none... I agree that it would be discrimination if people with a certain level of 'optional' education were not tested.

Sometimes, seeing things in the news about some of the educational policies in places makes me go 'WHOA, how do I find a school district to suit my needs'. An example of that is having a 'Gay HS' in NYC. But that's a whole other issue.

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Posted by yabbobay

this would just open up a can of worms...

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Can we open up a can of worms on LIW? I am sure they'll go well with some tequila

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Posted by alina

That's the reason why I DON'T vote in local elections and only vote along a party line with regard to a presidential election.

However, I feel that if too many people pick the candidate with the nicest banner, you can have a governing body that is not reflective of people's choices.

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but you are picking the 'nicest banner' but only voting for a party and not looking at the individuals

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I am not saying that you should test some people but not all, what I am saying is to either test all or none... I agree that it would be discrimination if people with a certain level of 'optional' education were not tested.

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what should these tests consist of? we all know the SATs are biased towards white men...should we test on political opinions? b/c everyone has different ones...what about #of states? while it is sad that people don't know...does it really matter...


testing is completely unconstitutional...ie 14th amendment..

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Posted by yabbobay

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Posted by alina

That's the reason why I DON'T vote in local elections and only vote along a party line with regard to a presidential election.

However, I feel that if too many people pick the candidate with the nicest banner, you can have a governing body that is not reflective of people's choices.

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but you are picking the 'nicest banner' but only voting for a party and not looking at the individuals

I agree to that, using myself as the perfect case of someone in need of politics education

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I am not saying that you should test some people but not all, what I am saying is to either test all or none... I agree that it would be discrimination if people with a certain level of 'optional' education were not tested.

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what should these tests consist of? we all know the SATs are biased towards white men...should we test on political opinions? b/c everyone has different ones...what about #of states? while it is sad that people don't know...does it really matter...

testing is completely unconstitutional...ie 14th amendment..

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Not sure what the tests should consist of. Perhaps have published records of what political candiates stand for, so that if a person is unfamiliar with their platform, they can learn. Or possibly test for the top ten current events. I agree that it would be extremely difficult to administer (and would use up taxpayers money, possibly discouraging voters).

For the last presidential election, I found it difficult to find the platform data, and hated watching all those presidential candidate addresses/speeches, b/c a lot of it is BS. I wish more concrete and factual data were available.

One of my reasons for voting along party lines was 'abortion'... Hence, I am effectively a 'single issue' democrat

how many people actually vote anyway?

i'm also an example of an educated person who doesn't pay attention to anything about the election. i simply walk in and vote for the candidate in my preferred party. and i think that a lot of people are like this. regardless of what their candidate says they will most likely not switch parties. maybe i'm wrong about that, but most people i've talked to vote that way.

anyways, seriously if anyone knows the stats on how many people vote, nationwide or just for new york state i'd love to see them.

Absolutely not!!!

Having a formal education does not guarantee that a person is 'Smarter' than someone else.

I've met highly educated people who lack common sense, life experience, and emotional intelligence.

True intelligence isn't always found inside books.

Well as an average no one.

Meaning I only have a High School degree myself. I'd find offense to the idea.

I understand the sentiment though.

I keep up as much as I can and I vote each and every year.

Im just like that. In Texas we got lectured on the importance of voting and making ourselves heard. Hispanic Women are a huge minority. Go out and vote, they say. We'd ask why and boy did they show us.

*shrug*

JMHO

A very wise woman once said....

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Posted by kmcwed

Absolutely not!!!

Having a formal education does not guarantee that a person is 'Smarter' than someone else.

I've met highly educated people who lack common sense, life experience, and emotional intelligence.

True intelligence isn't always found inside books.

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And, I would add...true intelligence cannot be measured by a test, either.

No, no no. Some of the least educated people in this country have gone on to be the most successful so I don't believe that formal education should be a requirement.

It's sad to see that so many of you ladies don't pay attention to the candidates and their positions. Everyone should take the time to read about the person or people who are to be your voice in government. Simply voting along party lines does not guarantee that the person has the same values and thoughts about issues as you do, nor that they will vote the way you would like. Personally I would rather you didn't vote since you have no idea what or who you are voting for.

Voting is such a precious gift (ask anyone in a non-democratic country how they feel about it) and should be used wisely!

Getting off my soapbox now!

No way. While education is very important and people should make educated choices in voting, I don't feel that we can set standards in who can vote. The whole country is established on different incomes and people of various educational backgrounds having every right as everyone else. As long as you are an American you have every right that our country allows us.

Also there are very smart people and successful people who never went to college. If you only allow a certain type of person to vote, you're only going to get a certain type of president. We need differences.

No way! Our country is built on the premise on ALL people are created equal and while that doesn't always happen- imposing an education level on voters would make our country basically George Bush land- land of the elite, rich, and skull& bones.

Sorry, but I want people who experience hardship to have as many rights as white boys who are born to rich dads.

It doesn't seem that Alina is saying that only the educated should vote. I take it that she is suggesting that all voters should have some working knowledge of politics and current events before they actually cast a vote. That has nothing to do with education. Some of the most eductaed people really have no clue about politics or sociological issues, whereas the 'uneducated' may be better informed. This would be a test based on facts, and could not be biased in any way.

Alina, I don't think your idea is necessarily a bad one. (Although I'm sure many politicians would not really be in favor of such an informed voting public!!!) I remember there was a study done way back where it was suggested that political candidates are often voted into office based on their looks and 'media personality' and not on their merit as leaders or their stance on political issues A more knowledgeable voting public might change this.

Alina, I am addressing this to you because you said taht you don't follow elections and pretty much vote along party lines, but I am sure there are others that do the same thing.

Someone just said that voting is a precious gift. It isn't a gift. It is a RIGHT. A right which women who came before us fought long and hard for. I can't imagine not educating myself about political issues because it was not that long ago when women were considered so inferior that they had no choice in how this county was run. If you think that things have changed that much, go ahead and count how many women are in Congress. Its pretty pathetic considering we are half of the population.

We need intelligent women to make informed choices. Please make sure you know what the candidates stand for and VOTE!!!!

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Posted by DKA1026

It doesn't seem that Alina is saying that only the educated should vote. I take it that she is suggesting that all voters should have some working knowledge of politics and current events before they actually cast a vote. That has nothing to do with education. Some of the most eductaed people really have no clue about politics or sociological issues, whereas the 'uneducated' may be better informed. This would be a test based on facts, and could not be biased in any way.

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Demetra, thank you for translating what I have been trying to express My post has nothing to do with college or any graduate education, and I only mentioned HS b/c in my understanding one has to complete HS in this country and its FREE.