Imagine if you had to answer civics questions from high school to qualify for voting. Then imagine that politicians were required to be honest and truthful to run…..
The idea of requiring some level of knowledge about how our government works sounds appealing until you remember that was one method the bigots used to use to prevent people of color from voting.
Even today, many states still are trying to prevent people from voting and this county will never reach the greatness we think we until we learn from our mistakes.
You shouldn’t be allowed to vote if you are on the dole.In Starship Troopers, Heinlein has only military service as a requirement for full citizenship to vote.
The electorate doesn’t need to have any sort of advanced degree, but they should at least know basic civics. In fact, some in Congress don’t seem to know the three branches of government, which is pretty scary.
I have often said, Jim Crow gave them them a bad name, but I think an actual fairly administered literacy test to vote would be a great thing (and not just because no RepubliKlan would ever win another race).
As a former ESL volunteer, I’ve found that immigrants who have become citizens are far better informed than most of us on our government, Constitution, history et al, as they have studied and passed the citizenship test.
I believe literacy tests were fully outlawed in America by the mid 1960s, giving rise to voters whose civic illiteracy is impressive. The guy pictured may think the branches of government are city, county, and state.
Sorry, don’t like this. American history is full of people seeing someone whose skin color they don’t like waiting to vote and demanding they answer questions about the Constitution or something and telling them they may not vote. Even idiots and fools get to vote.
There was a time when I thought something like this would be appropriate. Then I saw the 1962 Louisiana Literacy Test and was horrified to realize just how widely and shamelessly this rationale has been abused.
Well, the Constitution does not allow for any kind of literacy tests, but if it went before the Supreme Court as comprised today, we’d find ourselves going back to rich white dudes being the only ones able to cast ballots at any level.
Here’s a question that should be published in every “letters to the editor” column in America: “Should a convicted felon who can’t legally own a handgun in New York be handed the trigger to the world’s largest nuclear arsenal?”
I’m just going down these 100 replies, and boy, have I never seen so much trash in my life. In probably three seconds, I’ll get three hundred replies to this comment, throwing trash at me.
You’re living with both. Always and forever. Also, many immigrants are quite ignorant too. Ignorance is universal and destructive, without exception. FYI: When you demonize your adversary, you empower them. That cannot be truer than with Trumpsters. Let me write this. If Puerto Rico was so lovely, then why would so many Puerto Ricans leave it? Do you think Mexicans would feel and act differently if our positions were reversed? If ordinary Americans were flooding their country constantly, I think their response would be much the same. Nobody likes huge influxes of immigrants—ANY kind.
2016: “I am here to declare my presidential candidacy.” “Have you ever held public office?” “No” “Do you understand the legal definition of treason?” “When anyone disrespects me.” “Will you abide by the results of the election?” “Only if I win.” “Welcome to the Republican ticket, Mr. Trump!”
BasilBruce about 2 months ago
Part of me wants to lock Rat up, and part of me wants to shake his hand.
pschearer Premium Member about 2 months ago
I’m amazed that there are still people undecided on the presidential vote. I’m beginning to think they don’t deserve to vote at all.
Hello Everyone about 2 months ago
I agree with Rat – If you are completely ignorant on how government works, then you shouldn’t be participating (voting) in that government!
jholly4 about 2 months ago
“The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” Winston Churchill
Bilan about 2 months ago
The best test for voting eligibility: Give them a list to choose which ones are True and which ones the candidate pulled out of his you-know-what.
suv2000 about 2 months ago
You’re suppressing votes how is KAMALA supposed to win
sirbadger about 2 months ago
It might be better to ask “How many tentacles of government are there?”
blunebottle about 2 months ago
Can I vote for Rat?
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member about 2 months ago
If only it was that easy to be rid of MAGA!!!
Aimless Melissa about 2 months ago
Poll tests were outlawed long ago. You don’t get to filter out the people you want to call “too dumb to count.” Sorry, not sorry.
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member about 2 months ago
I’d rather live with immigrants, than ignorants!
iggyman about 2 months ago
On the same vein, some folks I know just go and vote for their parties candidate no matter who it is !
Zykoic about 2 months ago
Imagine if you had to answer civics questions from high school to qualify for voting. Then imagine that politicians were required to be honest and truthful to run…..
Rick Szymke about 2 months ago
One of the best comics he has ever done
Arealpatriot about 2 months ago
The idea of requiring some level of knowledge about how our government works sounds appealing until you remember that was one method the bigots used to use to prevent people of color from voting.
Even today, many states still are trying to prevent people from voting and this county will never reach the greatness we think we until we learn from our mistakes.
Ellis97 about 2 months ago
Good thing I did early voting.
scote1379 Premium Member about 2 months ago
So did I , In person so as that I can Thank the nice Ladies!!
smartty cat about 2 months ago
Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. H.L.Mencken
MayCauseBurns about 2 months ago
If voting really changed anything, it would be illegal.
ComicRelief about 2 months ago
You shouldn’t be allowed to vote if you are on the dole.In Starship Troopers, Heinlein has only military service as a requirement for full citizenship to vote.
wrd2255 about 2 months ago
The electorate doesn’t need to have any sort of advanced degree, but they should at least know basic civics. In fact, some in Congress don’t seem to know the three branches of government, which is pretty scary.
MS72 about 2 months ago
Did he pay his pole tax?
stevetownsend Premium Member about 2 months ago
If there isn’t a test to be a candidate there shouldn’t be a test to vote. It’s close to Halloween, maybe Rat should’ve worn his grand wizard costume.
dwilkinsboise Premium Member about 2 months ago
Pretty much nails it.
Cozmik Cowboy about 2 months ago
Hey, Steph – you forgot his red hat.
I have often said, Jim Crow gave them them a bad name, but I think an actual fairly administered literacy test to vote would be a great thing (and not just because no RepubliKlan would ever win another race).
asmbeers about 2 months ago
What will the leftists do when the assumed Trump dictatorship never appears? Will they melt down all over again?
Ignatz Premium Member about 2 months ago
You should ask if they believe that the Vice-President is allowed to choose the winner in an election where they’re one of the candidates.
SusieB about 2 months ago
Sad but true. Low info voter. Probably voting against his own interests, but doesn’t realize it.
aerotica69 about 2 months ago
Three branches of government : Empty Promises, Power, and Pork.
gpantzer about 2 months ago
Larry, Curly, Moe.
ezekialrage777 about 2 months ago
A non-partisan elimination test? I like it!
monya_43 about 2 months ago
That is a little bit better than setting the ballot drop boxes on fire. :-(
Don’t scoff! It was done in Washington and Oregon. Talk about the “enemy within”!!
Snolep about 2 months ago
As a former ESL volunteer, I’ve found that immigrants who have become citizens are far better informed than most of us on our government, Constitution, history et al, as they have studied and passed the citizenship test.
Goat from PBS about 2 months ago
Executive, legislative, and judicial. May I vote now?
jerwag389 about 2 months ago
It’s so wrong to be judge-mental, but sometimes you really can’t help it.
tsk5565 about 2 months ago
The Executive, The Judicial, and The Santa Maria
oish about 2 months ago
On the one side there’s tolerance and equality of all ethnicity and religion
The other side want to Make (Christian) America White Again
phileaux about 2 months ago
When I think of the countries that have mandatory voting I’ll remember this. Don’t get me started on “undecided”.
zeexenon about 2 months ago
This time, I’m leaving my USSR card home.
Holden Awn about 2 months ago
I believe literacy tests were fully outlawed in America by the mid 1960s, giving rise to voters whose civic illiteracy is impressive. The guy pictured may think the branches of government are city, county, and state.
crocman48 about 2 months ago
It should have been a young tattooed white girl instead of a guy with a beard. Or a black girl who has an abortion every couple of years.
ncorgbl about 2 months ago
The Law only states being of age and being a citizen to vote.
krisjackson01 about 2 months ago
Sorry, don’t like this. American history is full of people seeing someone whose skin color they don’t like waiting to vote and demanding they answer questions about the Constitution or something and telling them they may not vote. Even idiots and fools get to vote.
harvey812abc about 2 months ago
This would solve a lot of problems.
SNVBD about 2 months ago
Mixed feelings…
justanudderpeeon about 2 months ago
Of course I know all 3 branches of our government!They are Big Pharma, Petrochemical, and The Banking system!Vote Early, and Vote Often!!!
John Jorgensen about 2 months ago
There was a time when I thought something like this would be appropriate. Then I saw the 1962 Louisiana Literacy Test and was horrified to realize just how widely and shamelessly this rationale has been abused.
moondog42 Premium Member about 2 months ago
Well, the Constitution does not allow for any kind of literacy tests, but if it went before the Supreme Court as comprised today, we’d find ourselves going back to rich white dudes being the only ones able to cast ballots at any level.
John Lamb Premium Member about 2 months ago
Well, there goes at least half of the voters, probably more like three fourths.
KEA about 2 months ago
I hope we’ve learned that American History and Civics are vital parts of American education
DarkHorseSki about 2 months ago
That’s gotta be a Democrat…
Spider-UK about 2 months ago
hmmm… On the one hand: What a jerk. On the other hand: he ain’t wrong.
mindjob about 2 months ago
“Just drop your ballot in that flaming box around the corner”
walter Premium Member about 2 months ago
Should be a test for candidacy. Too many at all levels seem to fail to comprehend, must less have read, the Constitution.
Doctor Go about 2 months ago
We need more of these kinds of polling places…
FRITH RA about 2 months ago
I think it’s the candidates, not the voters, who have to pass a civics test.
Richard S Russell Premium Member about 2 months ago
Here’s a question that should be published in every “letters to the editor” column in America: “Should a convicted felon who can’t legally own a handgun in New York be handed the trigger to the world’s largest nuclear arsenal?”
The Bob about 2 months ago
A lot of us identify with Rat.
Forrest the dude Premium Member about 2 months ago
I’m just going down these 100 replies, and boy, have I never seen so much trash in my life. In probably three seconds, I’ll get three hundred replies to this comment, throwing trash at me.
Laurie Stoker Premium Member about 2 months ago
Thank you, Rat.
sincavage05 about 2 months ago
Thank you rat, for showing the world the way it should be.
eddi-TBH about 2 months ago
This isn’t really a problem. Most people vote the way someone richer tells them to. Because anyone richer than them must be smart and trustworthy.
MatthewJB about 2 months ago
Rat would have been very comfortable in the Jim Crow South, between 1890 & 1960, testing African-Americans who tried to vote.
Aimless Melissa about 2 months ago
You’re living with both. Always and forever. Also, many immigrants are quite ignorant too. Ignorance is universal and destructive, without exception. FYI: When you demonize your adversary, you empower them. That cannot be truer than with Trumpsters. Let me write this. If Puerto Rico was so lovely, then why would so many Puerto Ricans leave it? Do you think Mexicans would feel and act differently if our positions were reversed? If ordinary Americans were flooding their country constantly, I think their response would be much the same. Nobody likes huge influxes of immigrants—ANY kind.
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom about 2 months ago
Good going, Rat!
Swirls Before Pine about 2 months ago
2016: “I am here to declare my presidential candidacy.” “Have you ever held public office?” “No” “Do you understand the legal definition of treason?” “When anyone disrespects me.” “Will you abide by the results of the election?” “Only if I win.” “Welcome to the Republican ticket, Mr. Trump!”
eric_harris_76 6 days ago
Now would be a good time to learn what’s in the Constitution.
It contains part of the job description of every elected and appointed official in the country.
If enough people did that, who knows, we might become a constitutional republic again. (Hey! A fella can dream, can’t he?)