If I were Queen of America

[audnauseam]

I would make all adults take a citizenship test. Seriously:

Only 25% of Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed in the 1st Amendment

I confess, I could only name four when I thought about it. But that puts me well above 75% of the rest of you.

Comments

[so_il_singer]

I honestly wonder how many people could pass an honest US History test if it were required to vote. How many, for instance, know that the majority of the language in the Constitution was inspired by two particular bodies of thought: the Masonic Grand Lodge of England, and John Stuart Mill. Enlightenment thinkers and early liberals.

It amazes me that people are so ignorant of the real history of our nation. But then, that's what happened to Europe in the 19th century. When the 19th led to the 20th, that's why we had two world wars; widespread ignorance and prejudice. Sounds familiar. People who lose sight of liberal ideologies and enlightened ideals usually turn to the basest of human passions when the time is ripe, and boy is the time ripe.

I repeat what I have always believed: Conservatism is the root of all human evil. And no, that's not a stretch or an exaggeration. There are psychological studies, in fact, that are compelling in support of this.

[musicpsych]

That would be nice, to make a test necessary in order to vote. Nothing too difficult, just the basics...

[audnauseam]

I don't actually think it's a good idea - see my reply to ligetisplit below.

[musicpsych]

Yeah, that's true - it's hard enough as it is to make sure that everyone's vote counts. (Am I right?) I just hate hearing people spout off unfounded opinions, and for the past few elections, I really have felt like I haven't had a say - instead, the future of my country is being decided by the same folks who watch American Idol and shop at Wal-mart.

[so_il_singer]

BTW... lest I sound high and mighty, I embarrassed myself; after a very long day at work, I could only remember two. :(

[ligetisplit]

The problem with making a test necessary to vote is that it gets dangerously close to Jim Crow Laws and Poll Taxing, etc. In the end you're just rewarding affluent educated white people.

[audnauseam]

I know this. In reality I would be vehemently opposed to this sort of thing. Just a fantasy (hence the "Queen of America" title). The results of the poll reflect more on the sorry state of public education than on the voters.

[audnauseam]

Who are you and where did you crawl out from? If you'd read any of the comments above you, you'd know I don't really think that way.