Opus 2013-364: Did You Forget to Vote? Good!

We need fewer voters.  If you forgot to vote last election you probably should not have been voting anyway.

Think about it.  What is required to vote?  You must be 18.  You are supposed to be a citizen.  You have to register.  That is about it.  Are you good with that?  I’m not.

I would like to see a higher bar for voting.  I would like some minimum requirements.  It should be in reach of all concerned citizens and out of reach of the lazy fool.  The problem is that I can’t think of much that would not eventually be abused.

Most people are afraid of this idea because historically it has usually been implemented as a method of oppression.  That is definitely a valid concern.  For instance, after the American Civil War some Southern states were trying to find a way around the Federal law designed to give the freed slaves political clout.  One idea was a literacy requirement.  You needed to be able to read and write.  Sounds reasonable.  But some freed slaves had learned to read and write.  Others were learning.  The “solution” was to give different tests to black citizens than were given to white citizens.  Blacks would be given extremely hard tests; whites, a simple one.  A reasonable requirement became a tool of manipulation and racial oppression. 

Most of the standards I can think of could be misused just as easily.  Most attempts at reform can bring greater problems if misused by people of not good-will.  Think of the times one political party has implemented reform and had it abused by the next president or a new Congress.  I would not hesitate to give George Washington or Calvin Coolidge certain powers that would give me nightmares if Carter or Obama had the reins.  We do need to think about it.

What would I like to see?  How about a simple test before you got your ballot.  A few simple questions.  Who are your current senators?  Name one political party besides the Republicans and Democrats.  How long does the president serve?  How many states are there?  Name one issue the candidates differ on and where they stand.  I am open to honest suggestions.

I would also like to see people who do not own real estate be barred from voting on property tax and bond issues. 

People receiving checks from the government not related to jobs should be barred.  Possibly all government employees should be banned because of conflict of interest.  That would include teachers like me.

Ballots should only be in English and the voter should be able to read them.

Photo ID should be required.

Should we implement any of these?  It would be worth a try or at least a discussion if we could do it without someone yelling “racist” because they don’t have a better objection.  We also need to keep in mind that Carter happened.  Obama is happening.  Tread with care.

Do you have any honest, better ideas?

homo unius libri