Regisered Democracy

Daijaga · Chosen of Luck Gender: Joined: 17 Dec 2003

I usually don't get into the political scene here, but just the other day I had to deal with some prick at work. No big deal, pack up and move on, I know this guy's bad karma will catch up to him one day, but then I realized something horrifing.

This guy's vote counts for exactly the same worth as my vote. This aggressive, loud mouthed, obsessive red neck gets as much as in the electing of government officials as I do. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I like to think of my self as a cut slightly above the norm in terms of common sence and intuitive wisdom - as I do all here at PO. But theres a lot of people, and I mean a hella lot of poeple, who are ignraine idiots and are gettting as much of a say of who is the President Elect of the free world as I do.

Naturally I quickly decided that was pretty friggin gay. I also deduceted there was very little I could do about it.

Back in the beginnings of America, voting was done by promentient and educated men of the society. Well, things have changed greatly since the consitiution was written and I think that the expansion of population is dispuuring the vote out too wide. Just look at the last Presidential election - the whole damn country was split nearly 50/50 on what president we should have.

For one, I dont think making some people's vote count for more than others would be fair and would be abused greatly. What I suggest, and anyone feel free to point out the flaws of this proposal, is that there be a state mandated test one must be able to complete before voting or upon reigstration to vote. The test could cover humanities, current political questions, vocabulary such as Secretary of State, Joint Cheifs, etc. Anything that would justifiy your being compentent enough to vote for the president of the US.

It wont happen, but it was just a thought. Rotten democracy!

Therin · Gloompf. Iggle! Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

But...that's discrimination against the illiterate! You politically biased bastard! how dare you deny the intelligence of someone just because they can't read and write!?

..that was a joke. Don't kill me.

Seriously, though, that gives complete control of the constituency to whoever writes the tests. I mean, what would you test them on to find out whether they're qualified to elect the next president? Who would be fit to decide who's fit to elect the next president? Who guards the guardians, so to speak.

And how would you go about dealing with the rioting of illiterates?

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003

Yeah, you kinda can't do that because it would destroy our whole notion of democracy, and would be looked on as highly discriminatory.

And so what if he's incompetent...that doesn't mean that the candidates are. What you are afraid of is that his incompetence will make him vote for the guy that you don't agree with. Not as a personal attack on you, I'm talking in general terms because everyone seems to get so personal when it comes to this sort of thing. If both candidates are good, then this shouldn't matter, but unfortunately everyone has to complain about something.

Then there are the people who only vote for their party's elected official, which is just totally wrong in my mind. That's why I registered as Independent, so I don't fall into bad habits.

But whatever I'm saying probably doesn't make any sense anyway because it's late. I swear it all makes sense in my head...its just getting it out that creates the problems. Mr. Green

~Ming

Daijaga · Chosen of Luck Gender: Joined: 17 Dec 2003

*nods to the General*. Theres no way to regulate who gets to decided who gets to decide to vote - and so we take the low road and just let any tom, dick, or harry vote regardless. As for the illiterates, I would just sladner them all over the interent on internet chat sites and posting boards, they'd never know and I'd be fairly satisfied. ^_^. A coudl use someone with ballistic knowledge to handl crowd control though *winks at Lews*

Ming - yeah yeah yeah... I know, its still seems mesed up to me, even though its perfectly fair. I guess if Im really all that and a bag of chips, I could use my dashing good looks and stunning savoey fair to convince the guy to vote for whom I wanted - I guess thats why we have campegien season and what not.

Therin · Gloompf. Iggle! Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Because the low road is also the noble road. The honorable road. Even if only we know it. No, what we should do instead is test the candidates. I mean, like, polygraph test 'em. That way we don't get any liers. Of course, we'd never have a president that way either, and it would tear the Houses into little tiny pieces never to be seen again, but still...

Daijaga · Chosen of Luck Gender: Joined: 17 Dec 2003

Therin · Gloompf. Iggle! Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

*chuckles* I recall during less affirmative-action saturated days that there were literacy tests administered to ensure that certain undesirable minorities were unable to vote. So there was a constitutional amendment passed to ensure their ability to vote, a noble thing, as the General notes. Unfortunately, it also produces the situation that you've thought of, Dai. All we can hope for is that the majority that turn out to vote are educated on their choices.

Regarding testing the candidates, people can pass polygraphs lying through their teeth... I would think that our career politicians could probably do it without any problems at all. What we're missing is an ability to make the Legislature and the Executive accountable for the promises they made that doesn't take 4 and 6 years, respectively, to execute itself. The people need a way to put pressure on their elected officials to do what they said they would do. It's not quite mob rule, but having votes of confidence in the elected govenment would be nice.

Until then, we have to vote ideologically, which is the best solution to any of these problems, because then it shows what people really think is important.

reaper · I miss you Shar Gender: Joined: 28 Dec 2002

I registered to vote a few days ago, mainly just to vote against bush. . . .Just thought I'd throw that in for no reason.

Kai · Moody Protagonist Gender: Joined: 08 Oct 2003

Yeah you can't you say certian people can't vote. I hate to say it but everyone has thier own opions. And opions apprently can't be wrong. Now I know I'm not political genious and such but you know that's just how it is. Everybody sould be allowed to say what the wanna say. Unless it's something stupid. Like that black's and whites can't get married. Lauren Chanley said that. She also call a hispanic a spic and claimed she didn't know it was wrong. She also said something about Gringos or something I donno. I'm telling you this girl is going to get shot. Sorry I think i was alittle off topic...