Post by notseinfeld on Jul 4th, 2008 at 2:42pm
The following is an article from Joseph Farah, founder of World Net Daily, with an excellent idea:
(full article and link to Citizenship test here: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or 
END PRINTPAGE )
between the lines Joseph Farah In need of a voting test
Posted: July 03, 2008
1:00 am Eastern
© 2008
MSNBC.com is running an edited version of a U.S. citizenship test – choosing what the news service describes as "some of the more difficult" questions asked of applicants on the new test beginning this fall.
I invite you to see how difficult you think they are.
Maybe they are difficult for MSNBC editors.
Maybe they are difficult for Keith Olbermann.
Maybe for Chris Matthews.
If these are among the toughest questions asked, our standards for screening new citizens appear to be reaching new lows.
But we have a problem with standards in this country. We think they are unfair. We believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of how hard they work, how hard they study or how much they know.
As we approach another presidential election this fall, I want to throw out an idea.
I know it will never fly.
I know it is radical.
No matter how much people say they want "change," I know the country is in no mood for reforms of this type.
But I'll throw it out there anyway.
I think passing a simple test like this should be a requirement not just for new citizens, but for every American who wants to vote.
Tell me what's wrong with that?
We're talking basic civics and history here. Shouldn't we have some minimal expectations and knowledge requirements for American participating in national elections?
I would bet we could weed out 50 percent of the stupid vote with a test of this kind. And wouldn't that be a blessing? Why should people with virtually no knowledge of the American system of government be permitted to participate in it? It doesn't make sense to me.
How bad is it?
A 1990s survey found only 14 percent of Americans had even a passing comprehension of foreign policy. Only 11 percent could pass a test about domestic policy issues. Only 20 percent knew there are 100 U.S. senators. Only 40 percent could name the three branches of government.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not an elitist. I want to see this country preserved. I want to encourage Americans to learn. And, yes, I would like to screen out from active participation in elections all those who don't care enough to inform themselves about the most basic facts of our unique political system.
I'm always stunned when I hear radio talk-show hosts like Sean Hannity conduct their random man-on-the-street interviews and we learn that many Americans don't know who is vice president of their country, don't know the Pledge of Allegiance and don't know who is running for president.
It's scary.
Honestly, we're going to lose our freedom if we're not careful.
A test might not help us elect a good president in 2008. The choices have already been narrowed for us, in part, by the stupid vote.
But, I'm convinced, unless we raise our standards, unless we have a standard, our political leadership for the future is going to reflect the lowest common denominator of American culture.
Like I said, I doubt anyone else will embrace this call to action. And it might be too little, too late anyway.
However, I don't like my vote being neutralized by any idiot who has never even read the Constitution.
Wouldn't it be great if we could eliminate from the voting pool all those who failed this simple test adapted by MSNBC from the citizenship exam?
Wouldn't it be great to force Olbermann and Matthews and other media types to take the test live on the air?
Wouldn't it be great to corner our presidential front-runners with some questions like this at the next town hall meeting?
I don't want to know about their opinions. Their opinions don't interest me at all. I want to hear what they know.
Why do we routinely get unconstitutional government in Washington these days? Maybe it's true that we get the kind of government we deserve.
(full article and link to Citizenship test here: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or END PRINTPAGE )between the lines Joseph Farah In need of a voting test
Posted: July 03, 2008
1:00 am Eastern
© 2008
MSNBC.com is running an edited version of a U.S. citizenship test – choosing what the news service describes as "some of the more difficult" questions asked of applicants on the new test beginning this fall.
I invite you to see how difficult you think they are.
Maybe they are difficult for MSNBC editors.
Maybe they are difficult for Keith Olbermann.
Maybe for Chris Matthews.
If these are among the toughest questions asked, our standards for screening new citizens appear to be reaching new lows.
But we have a problem with standards in this country. We think they are unfair. We believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of how hard they work, how hard they study or how much they know.
As we approach another presidential election this fall, I want to throw out an idea.
I know it will never fly.
I know it is radical.
No matter how much people say they want "change," I know the country is in no mood for reforms of this type.
But I'll throw it out there anyway.
I think passing a simple test like this should be a requirement not just for new citizens, but for every American who wants to vote.
Tell me what's wrong with that?
We're talking basic civics and history here. Shouldn't we have some minimal expectations and knowledge requirements for American participating in national elections?
I would bet we could weed out 50 percent of the stupid vote with a test of this kind. And wouldn't that be a blessing? Why should people with virtually no knowledge of the American system of government be permitted to participate in it? It doesn't make sense to me.
How bad is it?
A 1990s survey found only 14 percent of Americans had even a passing comprehension of foreign policy. Only 11 percent could pass a test about domestic policy issues. Only 20 percent knew there are 100 U.S. senators. Only 40 percent could name the three branches of government.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not an elitist. I want to see this country preserved. I want to encourage Americans to learn. And, yes, I would like to screen out from active participation in elections all those who don't care enough to inform themselves about the most basic facts of our unique political system.
I'm always stunned when I hear radio talk-show hosts like Sean Hannity conduct their random man-on-the-street interviews and we learn that many Americans don't know who is vice president of their country, don't know the Pledge of Allegiance and don't know who is running for president.
It's scary.
Honestly, we're going to lose our freedom if we're not careful.
A test might not help us elect a good president in 2008. The choices have already been narrowed for us, in part, by the stupid vote.
But, I'm convinced, unless we raise our standards, unless we have a standard, our political leadership for the future is going to reflect the lowest common denominator of American culture.
Like I said, I doubt anyone else will embrace this call to action. And it might be too little, too late anyway.
However, I don't like my vote being neutralized by any idiot who has never even read the Constitution.
Wouldn't it be great if we could eliminate from the voting pool all those who failed this simple test adapted by MSNBC from the citizenship exam?
Wouldn't it be great to force Olbermann and Matthews and other media types to take the test live on the air?
Wouldn't it be great to corner our presidential front-runners with some questions like this at the next town hall meeting?
I don't want to know about their opinions. Their opinions don't interest me at all. I want to hear what they know.
Why do we routinely get unconstitutional government in Washington these days? Maybe it's true that we get the kind of government we deserve.