Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Should people who aren't that bright be allowed to vote?

Rodney · 10-17-2004, 07:21 AM

In my darker moments, I'm with you. At the Democratic convention in 1956, Adlai Stevenson, the Democrat's liberal and intellectural nominee was told by a supporter, "You have the vote of all thinking Americans." "Yes," Stevenson answered, "But I need a majority!"

But I wouldn't be for it, because such criteria are what they used to have in the old South as a tool to keep blacks from voting. A "literacy test" that could be very hard -- but only if you were black. Remember, enforcement would be in the hands of politicians, who apparently can't even be trusted these days to ensure a correct vote count.

So, no. Safer and better to keep it as it is. Besides, who decides what the correct criteria are?

10-17-2004, 07:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	In my darker moments, I'm with you. At the Democratic convention in 1956, Adlai Stevenson, the Democrat's liberal and intellectural nominee was told by a supporter, "You have the vote of all thinking Americans." "Yes," Stevenson answered, "But I need a majority!" But I wouldn't be for it, because such criteria are what they used to have in the old South as a tool to keep blacks from voting. A "literacy test" that could be very hard -- but only if you were black. Remember, enforcement would be in the hands of politicians, who apparently can't even be trusted these days to ensure a correct vote count. So, no. Safer and better to keep it as it is. Besides, who decides what the correct criteria are?