License to Vote? - General - Facepunch Forum

[QUOTE=Mr Dinosaur;27203659]What kind of questions would you propose be included?[/QUOTE] A test could be questions about who is the current president, how many branches of government there are, how many states there are, when the US was founded, what the constitution is for. Like i said before, basic things that you learn in US History in Junior High, or High School. [editline]4th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Explosions;27203688]I'm sorry, but many people can't be bothered to educate themselves on the issue, like poor people who work 3 jobs and get 5 hours of sleep a night.[/QUOTE] I worked 40 hours between 2 jobs and still went to school 15 hours a week, there's always time. I took the 10 minutes to find out what the issues were that i voted for on the last polling, and i don't think it's crazy to expect others to do the same. :edit: I don't want this to come across as "Let's weed out the retards and black people so only smart, affluent white people can vote". That's not what i want. I want people to take the time to educate themselves on what they vote for, because it affect more than just them. I have to pay for that proposed tax increase that you voted for, without knowing that it affected people in the tax bracket above you, or that it was exempt for certain people. I'm just saying that when it comes down to something as important as state and national issues, expecting people to take a bit of time and look into it isn't crazy, is it?

Personally I dont think I would have to know about all the 100nds of political parties in order to understand if I want the tax rate to go up or not.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203600]A Hunting exam doesn't tell you the difference between a deer and a cat The test is simply to weed out people who can't be bothered to educate themselves on the issue. By your standards, any test is stupid because it doesn't tell you what to do. My driving booklet didn't mention a word about driving in the rain or snow, but it's still required that i take it.[/QUOTE] Well not specifically a cat, but you got to identify some species. And any test is stupid if it has no value. Drivers ed teaches you to drive (somehow), and hunting exam to identify the species / etc. Voting exam has no value, as there are tons of different people with different opinions. All you need to do is pick one that shares the same values as you, and vote for him.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203709]A test could be questions about who is the current president, how many branches of government there are, how many states there are, when the US was founded, what the constitution is for. Like i said before, basic things that you learn in US History in Junior High, or High School. [editline]4th January 2011[/editline] I worked 40 hours between 2 jobs and still went to school 15 hours a week, there's always time. I took the 10 minutes to find out what the issues were that i voted for on the last polling, and i don't think it's crazy to expect others to do the same.[/QUOTE] How the bloody hell would any of those questions aid someone in making a decision for how to vote?

Why would I need another card to stuff in my wallet when I go to the booths next year? You can just simply register to vote at the time you are getting your Driver's License. You have to face the harsh reality but you will never clean out ignorance out of voters. [b]ever[/b]

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203709]A test could be questions about who is the current president, how many branches of government there are, how many states there are, when the US was founded, what the constitution is for. Like i said before, basic things that you learn in US History in Junior High, or High School. [/QUOTE] and how this has any help/change on anybodys voting

[QUOTE=evilking1;27203771]Well not specifically a cat, but you got to identify some species. And any test is stupid if it has no value. Drivers ed teaches you to drive (somehow), and hunting exam to identify the species / etc. Voting exam has no value, as there are tons of different people with different opinions. All you need to do is pick one that shares the same values as you, and vote for him.[/QUOTE] Drivers ed doesn't teach you to drive. Driving does. The book, and the test, are to weed out people who can't handle the ability to drive, because they didn't learn.

Still waiting for a reply

[QUOTE=evilking1;27203799]and how this has any help/change on anybodys voting[/QUOTE] I have said already, it's not changing people's voting stance, or opinions. It's to make it so the people who will do the work to do it will vote. It's less likely that people will take the time to earn their ability to vote, only to just go in uneducated and vote for whatever looks nice that second. [editline]4th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Mr Dinosaur;27203837]Still waiting for a reply[/QUOTE] Like i said, it's not teaching you to vote. People can obviously vote uneducated, that's not the problem. My issue is people voting without knowing what they are voting for.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203812]Drivers ed doesn't teach you to drive. Driving does. The book, and the test, are to weed out people who can't handle the ability to drive, because they didn't learn.[/QUOTE] Test often don't teach, they test. And there is a driving test in drivers ed, so if you pass you can somehow drive. But I think you got my point. And yes, that's why the drivers ed exists, thanks for letting me know. [editline]5th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203840]I have said already, it's not changing people's voting stance, or opinions. It's to make it so the people who will do the work to do it will vote. It's less likely that people will take the time to earn their ability to vote, only to just go in uneducated and vote for whatever looks nice that second. [/QUOTE] so in other words just useless work to keep the lazy ones from voting

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203840]I have said already, it's not changing people's voting stance, or opinions. It's to make it so the people who will do the work to do it will vote. It's less likely that people will take the time to earn their ability to vote, only to just go in uneducated and vote for whatever looks nice that second.[/QUOTE] There is already a shitton of pages of ballots on legislatures, candidates for various parties, props, laws, and other ordinances that you vote on the same day on Election day. Why do you want to make it a bigger bureaucratic hassle? You're just disenfranchising.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203840] Like i said, it's not teaching you to vote. People can obviously vote uneducated, that's not the problem. My issue is people voting without knowing what they are voting for.[/QUOTE] Who determines that do you have the knowledge to vote? Sounds like something out of a totalitarian dictatorship.

In Denmark it's a duty for all 18+ citizens to stay adjour with national politics :colbert:

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203709]A test could be questions about who is the current president, how many branches of government there are, how many states there are, when the US was founded, what the constitution is for. Like i said before, basic things that you learn in US History in Junior High, or High School.[/quote] You don't need to know how the government works to know who you want to vote for. The only thing you need in order to vote is an opinion. Yeah, voting for Obama just because he's black may seem foolish to you, but if it makes someone happy at the end of the day then I'm sure that they're glad they voted for him. [quote]I worked 40 hours between 2 jobs and still went to school 15 hours a week, there's always time. I took the 10 minutes to find out what the issues were that i voted for on the last polling, and i don't think it's crazy to expect others to do the same.[/quote] And I'm sure you enjoyed every minute of it. [quote]I don't want this to come across as "Let's weed out the retards and black people so only smart, affluent white people can vote". That's not what i want. I want people to take the time to educate themselves on what they vote for, because it affect more than just them. I have to pay for that proposed tax increase that you voted for, without knowing that it affected people in the tax bracket above you, or that it was exempt for certain people. I'm just saying that when it comes down to something as important as state and national issues, expecting people to take a bit of time and look into it isn't crazy, is it?[/QUOTE] Maybe people want to pay more taxes. Let's say that I want everyone to pay more, knowing that it'll allow the government to fix roads and build schools. Yipee! I don't really care that you don't want to pay more. That's the point. When you live in a democracy, you put up with decisions made by people you disagree with. Otherwise you can go live in a dictatorship where everything you want happens and other people's opinions are squashed because you don't like it.

[QUOTE=evilking1;27203869]Test often don't teach, they test. And there is a driving test in drivers ed, so if you pass you can somehow drive. But I think you got my point. And yes, that's why the drivers ed exists, thanks for letting me know. [editline]5th January 2011[/editline] so in other words just useless work to keep the lazy ones from voting[/QUOTE] But you didn't answer how a driving test is somehow more important than being tested to vote on things concerning the country. Can you say that one person who doesn't know how to drive will affect more lives than a president who's willing to go to war with a country getting elected? I know it's an extreme scenario, but i don't think it's that far-fetched.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203840]My issue is people voting without knowing what they are voting for.[/QUOTE] I don't need to know a thing about Mr. Obama. I like him because he's black, and knowing that there is a black president makes me happy. That is my right.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203840]I have said already, it's not changing people's voting stance, or opinions. It's to make it so the people who will do the work to do it will vote. It's less likely that people will take the time to earn their ability to vote, only to just go in uneducated and vote for whatever looks nice that second. [editline]4th January 2011[/editline] [b]Like i said, it's not teaching you to vote. People can obviously vote uneducated, that's not the problem. My issue is people voting without knowing what they are voting for.[/b][/QUOTE] Because a test consisting of and I quote "who is the current president, how many branches of government there are, how many states there are, when the US was founded, what the constitution is for." will magically make people educated voters. The difference between this bullshit and a driver's book is that a driver's book teaches useful things like signs, hand signals, right of way, etc. Your suggestions have [b]nothing[/b] to do with "educating someone to vote".

[QUOTE=Explosions;27203930]You don't need to know how the government works to know who you want to vote for. The only thing you need in order to vote is an opinion. Yeah, voting for Obama just because he's black may seem foolish to you, but if it makes someone happy at the end of the day then I'm sure that they're glad they voted for him. And I'm sure you enjoyed every minute of it. Maybe people want to pay more taxes. Let's say that I want everyone to pay more, knowing that it'll allow the government to fix roads and build schools. Yipee! I don't really care that you don't want to pay more. That's the point. When you live in a democracy, you put up with decisions made by people you disagree with. Otherwise you can go live in a dictatorship where everything you want happens and other people's opinions are squashed because you don't like it.[/QUOTE] So you are fine with a group of people voting against the taxes you wanted simply because they didn't read the ballot and see that it would fix the roads in their area, they simply voted no because they saw the word "raised"?

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203937]But you didn't answer how a driving test is somehow more important than being tested to vote on things concerning the country. Can you say that one person who doesn't know how to drive will affect more lives than a president who's willing to go to war with a country getting elected? I know it's an extreme scenario, but i don't think it's that far-fetched.[/QUOTE] Well you see the drivers exam teaches you the rules on driving. And it sees that you can drive at least some time without killing somebody. A voting exam has no point - as it really can't teach anything about the multiple candinates. Remember why people re-voted for Bush? They wanted war, that's why. Having "Bush wants war against those who 747'd the towers" on some booklet wouldn't probably change anything.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203993]So you are fine with a group of people voting against the taxes you wanted simply because they didn't read the ballot and see that it would fix the roads in their area, they simply voted no because they saw the word "raised"?[/QUOTE] Their right to vote. Oh wait, they disagree with me. Therefore, they have no right to vote.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27203993]So you are fine with a group of people voting against the taxes you wanted simply because they didn't read the ballot and see that it would fix the roads in their area, they simply voted no because they saw the word "raised"?[/QUOTE] Yes because perhaps they do not want to pay more taxes no matter what the cost. Maybe they want to pay no taxes ever again. They can vote for that. That is their God given right.

[QUOTE=Mr Dinosaur;27203968]Because a test consisting of and I quote "who is the current president, how many branches of government there are, how many states there are, when the US was founded, what the constitution is for." will magically make people educated voters. The difference between this bullshit and a driver's book is that a driver's book teaches useful things like signs, hand signals, right of way, etc. Your suggestions have [b]nothing[/b] to do with "educating someone to vote".[/QUOTE] So would a test on the issues for that election be better? You get graded on what is going to be voted on, and how well you understand the proposed bills, and who represents what, would that be better? I felt that was more extreme, but it would educate people on the specific things they are voting for, and weed out the people who didn't know anything. While at the same time teaching those people who didn't know what the issues were when they were shown what they got wrong. [editline]4th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Explosions;27204023]Yes because perhaps they do not want to pay more taxes no matter what the cost. Maybe they want to pay no taxes ever again. They can vote for that. That is their God given right.[/QUOTE] I guess that is true. I just want a way to get people to educate themselves, and not just blindly vote.

The people have the power, and the power is given to the representatives and the president to ease the hassle. A stupid exam would take the power from the people.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27204036]So would a test on the issues for that election be better? You get graded on what is going to be voted on, and how well you understand the proposed bills, and who represents what, would that be better? I felt that was more extreme, but it would educate people on the specific things they are voting for, and weed out the people who didn't know anything. While at the same time teaching those people who didn't know what the issues were when they were shown what they got wrong.[/QUOTE] Any such "test" would be extremely biased no matter how it is written or who it is written by. It would need to somehow cover every single aspect of a candidate's campaign from every viewpoint no matter how extreme.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27204036]So would a test on the issues for that election be better? You get graded on what is going to be voted on, and how well you understand the proposed bills, and who represents what, would that be better? I felt that was more extreme, but it would educate people on the specific things they are voting for, and weed out the people who didn't know anything. While at the same time teaching those people who didn't know what the issues were when they were shown what they got wrong.[/QUOTE] To answer your question, a test in general would be terrible. We elect people who share similar beliefs to deal with these problems for us.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27204036]So would a test on the issues for that election be better? You get graded on what is going to be voted on, and how well you understand the proposed bills, and who represents what, would that be better? I felt that was more extreme, but it would educate people on the specific things they are voting for, and weed out the people who didn't know anything. While at the same time teaching those people who didn't know what the issues were when they were shown what they got wrong. [editline]4th January 2011[/editline] I guess that is true. I just want a way to get people to educate themselves, and not just blindly vote.[/QUOTE] [img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i4DDjPc62mw/SGG1wRY7YxI/AAAAAAAAA3s/-OFNpFhzLNM/s400/USAvoting65.jpg[/img] We tried it before. Look how it turned out.

[QUOTE=JohnStamosFan;27204036]So would a test on the issues for that election be better? You get graded on what is going to be voted on, and how well you understand the proposed bills, and who represents what, would that be better? I felt that was more extreme, but it would educate people on the specific things they are voting for, and weed out the people who didn't know anything. While at the same time teaching those people who didn't know what the issues were when they were shown what they got wrong. [/QUOTE] There are billions of those "what is the right candidate for me" exams on the internet. But making them forces is just plain stupid.

[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;27204097][img_thumb]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i4DDjPc62mw/SGG1wRY7YxI/AAAAAAAAA3s/-OFNpFhzLNM/s400/USAvoting65.jpg[/img_thumb] We tried it before. Look how it turned out.[/QUOTE] It was used in southern states against blacks before, wasn't it?

[QUOTE=Mr Dinosaur;27204121]It was used in southern states against blacks before, wasn't it?[/QUOTE] And even earlier against Indians.

[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;27204097][img_thumb]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i4DDjPc62mw/SGG1wRY7YxI/AAAAAAAAA3s/-OFNpFhzLNM/s400/USAvoting65.jpg[/img_thumb] We tried it before. Look how it turned out.[/QUOTE] But that's comparing it to something trying to deliberately keep blacks and slaves from voting. I'm not saying shut them out. Offer people the chance to learn the facts, and then have that be what's tested. A literacy test to a slave who has been kept from school isn't fair, but i don't think a test over a book you can look through is unfair.