So the question at hand is who is worthy of voting? The knee jerk reaction is everyone! Everyone should be able to cast a vote right? The founding fathers did not agree. One of their basic precedents was owning property. Imagine if that was applied today. What kind of America
A lot of people have trouble with those on welfare and government assistance voting. Should they be allowed to? Is a vote something you forfeit if you no longer contribute to society and would be essentially voting to sustain your own assistance and increase your reliance?
The truth is a part of me would like to revert back to our founding fathers with ideal of those who pay taxes or own property would be granted the right to vote. This would not impose an age limit or be based on race, religion or competency.
Why is the individual at 16 or 17 a less valuable citizen than a 40 year old who contributes nothing? Is age a determination of intelligence, maturity or patriotism?
I think these are valuable questions to pose when considering government. As much as I would love to change the construct of the voting system I recognize it’s far more valuable to change the mindset of those around me.
“According to a global survey conducted by the Swedish-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the average voter turnout of all elections held in America
When we have elections from local to federal, how many Americans are represented? How many take their duty as citizen seriously?
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
To change the mindset and affect real change we must all become conservative activists. If you want your vote to count then take on the role as teacher, father, mother and patriot. Educate those who will become voters and reach out to others around you with more than just emotions. Present the founding documents, the words of our conservative leaders and the role government should and must play in our lives.
People have long forgotten what the resilience and leadership of what one person can do. It can shape a community, change a nation and hopefully increase the value of each and every ballot cast.
So the last question I have for you is this. Are you worthy of your vote? Could you pass a 10 question aptitude test about your local, state and federal government?
I can't dictate whether you should be allowed to vote, nor should I be able to. I can only hope to change your mindset.
~Josh Marsh~
Morning News Watch Host/News Anchor
josh@zrgmail.com
417-221-6397
3 comments:
First off, a correction: The founding fathers did not restrict voting rights on the basis of property ownership alone. Actually, you had to be a white property owner. Maybe you like that system, I can't say; selective omission is the same as lying. You pose an interesting question, however: 'Is age a determination of intelligence, maturity or patriotism?'
In reality, it isn't. However...
Under the age of 18, we can't buy cigarettes or other tobacco products or serve in our nation's defense without the permission of parents, under 21 we can't drink, under 16 we can't drive. Under 25 we can't be Congressmen or women, and under 35 we cannot be president.
I have a hard time believing that you disagree with all of those age restrictions. But I digress...
Yes, the founding fathers had certain limits on who could vote. They also lived in a time wherein discrimination was the norm. We live in a much different time.
Something many conservatives seem to be failing to understand: You are not the only ones who would pass the test. Yes, believe t or not, liberals also took a high school civics class. They are capable of making sound decisions as well; they just make choices that you disagree with.
English is not our country's official language. People who live in this country (LEGALLY) and speak a different language are still subject to the laws and procedures put into place by elected officials. That alone should give them some say. To say that one's language inherently comes between someone's understanding of how law and politics works, how can we prosecute people who don't speak English fro crimes they've committed? They don't speak English, they can't read the law books we've written. You can't pick and choose when it comes to civil liberties, which is exactly what you're suggesting happen.
Austin it sounds like you have an enormous chip on your shoulder. Throughout the blog I'm asking questions. Something to provoke new thought and challenge what we know.
Also, I never said liberals could not pass a civics class. And the conclusion is that its not up to me to decide who can or cannot vote based on different ideals outside the current law.
Also I note the attack to make me a racist but if you read what I wrote I said "one of."
What I was suggesting is for people to think about what they know. Unfortunately it seems that you cannot see out of your liberal foxhole.
I would debate you on the other issues but I can easily see that you simply wont get it.
I do encourage you to read things with an open mind and not just looking for a place to drop the ax.
If anything my concluding statements point to folks actually voting as well as the ability for individuals to bring about change.
I think that can speak to any party.
By posing a question to the responsibility that a vote should hold, discrimination is sure to get thrown in the mix. But is it discrimination?
No it isn't.
Sure times were different when our country was formed but does that mean that every decision that was made then shouldn't apply to today. Absolutely not. Our founders knew this country would change but couldn't imagine how. And they did a damn good job laying out the constitution in a way it would work at any time. In my opinion it is more important than ever to be a responsible voter. Today the election process is corrupted more and more each year, each year government continues to grow and be a larger part of everyone's lives. Today more people than ever have relied on the government for help than any point in our history. It is vital for the voter to really know what they are casting their ballot for. Today it is just unacceptable to cast a vote based solely on a speech or two you saw on TV. The candidates represent so much more that having a voter who is practical enough to understand the consequences of a single vote would go a long way to justifying that vote.
How can the states or local governments control potential fraud or set at least some modest restrictions to voting, I'm not sure. And is it necessary to just refuse a citizen the ability to vote based on someone's intelligence? No it isn't. It is a subject I know that I personally will have to take some time to look at myself and hope that if restrictions were set in place they must walk a fine line.
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