Maybe the right to vote should be earned

[a scawy ghost]

Well first off let me say that I don't really expect you all to agree with me, if even ONE of you do I shall be a happy lad. I'd like to hear your honest opinions on this, preferably without saying outright that I'm an idiot, that I know nothing, and that I'm too young for my opinion to matter. burning_eyes

I'd also prefer it if you read the entire thing, I know it's a lot.

The following quotes are from the movie "starship troopers" (squee!) that got me thinking about this topic. As a little background information, in the movie "citizens" are people that have served in the millitary "civilians" are those that have not served, and as such are not allowed to vote.

"Teacher-Why are only citizens allowed to vote?

Student-It's a reward. Something the federation gives you for doing federal service.

Teacher-No. Something given has no basis in value. When you vote, you are exercising political authority, you're using force. And force my friends is violence. The supreme authority from which all other authorities are derived, those who forget that…always pay"

It got me thinking about the world we're in today, specifically in the united states. We have so many freedoms that are just GIVEN to us, and what do we do? People just throw away that political freedom, that political power, the power to change the world around them, because "it doesn't affect them". Well look at what this attitude has lead to, people are upset about the war, but they elected the president TWICE. But still people complain, and something I've started to notice lately is that a lot of those that complain, don't vote. Well now, if you don't vote at all, you have no room to complain, and if you were one of those who elected the guy, you DEFINITELY have no room to complain.

So maybe we should make it so that a civilian has to do something to be a citizen, instead of just handing out this right to everyone, maybe it SHOULD be that only those who risk their lives to protect the freedoms, get the power to change them. It seems like a pretty fair trade to me, especially when you look at the meager sum we pay those who would protect us. Once we get to the point where the rights we have actually mean something, maybe this country (and possibly the world?) will start to turn into a direction that really does help the poor. People complain about illegal immigrants? Well instead of just shipping these poor people back to the country they left, give them the choice of enlisting, give them the chance to earn their rights.

Make it so that if you choose not to vote, you can't vote, unless you either enlist or go through some sort of punishment so that you realize how much the power you are being given matters. This might seem kind of like a loaded topic seeing as how I want to enlist, so I'm arguing for something that would still end up with me having my rights. But seriously, look back through history where people have started growing complacent, tyrants are bred in conditions like these...

A wise man once said "Democracy is just a way for the majority to bully the minority" but it's getting to the point that the minority are able to shape the country the way they want it. Eventually the majority is going to be on the ropes while the minority gives themselves most of the power, and make it so that their lives are easier, while making it harder on everyone else.  

[Iconoclast Enthusiast]

I think that the system already kind of works itself out. People who don't appreciate their right to vote will not vote and then they'll have had no say in their government, which is really them punishing themselves for not appreciating their rights. I think all the people who do appreciate their rights do vote, so the system already has itself worked out in a way.

I would never, ever support a law saying that people had to military service before they could have the right to vote. I think that's total bullshit, because their are so many ways to serve your country and be a good citizen, and I don't think we should narrow that down to one definition.  

[Verderbnis]

Going to an election is a duty as a citizen equal in which nation you live in, also it's an important factor to block fascistic parties, laws or even fascist leaders.

I went to my first election when I was 18 years old, it's my opportunity to change something in my country, to gain new rights and keep my free spaces. I had some tussles with friends who were always complaining about people living from social funds and immigrants and usually it was ending up like this:

Friend:"I think they should do this and that with those people."
Me:"Did you go to the recent election?"
Friend:"No, because [insert stupid reason here]"
Me:"Why are you complaining? You didn't even go to the election, you just complain without doing anything to change something."
Friend:"But I have to do soooo much, [insert pseudo important reason here]!!!"
Me:"It's not much to think about politics for two or four weeks every fourth year!"

The protection of a country doesn't start with a gun, it starts with the people who go to elections and form the government with their votes!  

[Mad Haru]

I agree, though earning should be through measure of IQ testing.
Be impossible to pass it through Congress.  

[Verderbnis]

That's actually the same racist scheme, but in blue. sweatdrop
First off: which IQ? There are a lot of IQs, such as logical or linguistic IQ or the socialisations IQ.
"No dumb people" would be fun, but I associate it with other racist orders like "No jews", "No black people" and whatever.

Being able to vote is a fundamental law in a democratic country which should seen as a duty by every citizen. If that duty is not fulfilled by several citizens those have no claim on free speech, since they did nothing to improve it.  

[a scawy ghost]

Sorry for the whole not posting on here for awhile, the internet decided to hate me for a bit.

The whole military thing was meant to be just an example of a way someone could earn the ability to vote, although looking back I suppose I did kind of make it look like that would be the ONLY way to earn it.

Community service could be a different way to get it, just little things like that.  

[azrael the reaper_95210]

you remember the reasons why this country broke off from the British? Let remind you of a little phaise..... "no taxation without representation".
The british were taxing on America, but didn't have any American representatio in Parlement.
If we limit who in our country can vote, we are essentially doing the same thing. Ruling over those we deem below us, yet not letting them have any say.
First comes IQ, then Service, then statuis, and before long we truly ARE being run solely by the aristocrats.
And I would NEVER stand for it. Neither would ALOT of Americans.
Any idea why Barrack is so popular? Because for alot of us out there, there is finally a man running who truly seems like he wants to help and represent US, the PEOPLE, not just the wealthy.
Under that plan, We would no longer stand a chance at being heard.  

[a scawy ghost]

That is indeed true, I see where you're coming for, although I kind of wished you hadn't used the Obama reference, I'd prefer it if this thread doesn't become a battleground for the campaign sweatdrop  

[Verderbnis]

It's just a sample, even people from outside the USA see how the republican party steers the world on new abysses again and again, just for the sake of commercial interests, while the democrats seem more diplomatic and attempt to reconstruct the ruined name of the USA again.  

[Medic83]

I seem to remember seeing or hearing somewhere that felons can't vote. I don't remember where i saw or heard this. As for the president elect i didn't vote for him. But i hope he can make changes that this country desperately needs!  

[Labradorescence]

You already do have to do something to earn it. You have to live long enough to turn 18. It's harder then it sounds.  

[Yuuki Aoyagi]

IIE!!!!
I SHALL DECIDE FOR YOU > biggrin


baka -.-
don't think you can say no!
cause you can't!....
.......  

[King Exseada]

stare yeah like what's the point of some people from another place vote'n for someone elses goverment? it's like controling a game that ya can't play!  

[Tagga]

I believe that you should have to take an IQ test to get a voters license. It would stop people from "bandwagon voting", "party voting", and kill the main branch of the republican party.  

[azrael the reaper_95210]

Tagga

I believe that you should have to take an IQ test to get a voters license. It would stop people from "bandwagon voting", "party voting", and kill the main branch of the republican party.

the republican party works for the rich (afford to be "well educated"), the democratics work for the common ppl (can't always afford "good" education).

so this'd actually give the republicans an excuse to exclude the "uneducated" ppl who probably would'n't vote for them.





"no taxation without representation".

a large foundation on which we were formed.

if we can not vote for who runs the country, do not dare to tax and rule us.