What do you think of our current President?

syscom3 · 07-07-2007, 05:44 PM

Disqualifying voters who are in good standing with their communities, smacks of communism, fascism and plain stupidity.

Njaco · 07-07-2007, 06:25 PM

I have to agree. Qualifing voters would be a bad, bad idea. There must be some way to get people to vote or its going to be eroded to the point of minority rules and thats not so good. Voter apathy is a real problem because of the idiots who never leave office or are voted out.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 07-08-2007, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Njaco

I have to agree. Qualifing voters would be a bad, bad idea. There must be some way to get people to vote or its going to be eroded to the point of minority rules and thats not so good.

How about having a polotician who actually believes what they are telling the people. Give the people something to believe in and actually wanting to be in office not just to make your bank account grow.

Wait that is not going to happen....

renrich · 07-08-2007, 08:39 AM

One good qualifier would be if you don't pay federal income tax, you can't vote. If you are not helping to pay for our federal government why should you be able to vote for a politician who promises more federal entitlements?

renrich · 07-08-2007, 08:46 AM

Voter qualifiers already exists, you have to be above a certain age to vote. I believe that convicted felons lose their voting rights. If I lived in Germany and could not speak the language, I don't believe I should be qualified to vote. I believe that only citizens who speak English should have voting rights in this country. By the way, Pbfoot, I never made the claim that I should be a qualified voter.

drgondog · 07-08-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syscom3

Incorrect.

Not everyone had suicidal tendencies to to go out for a duel.

A few did, the vast majority didnt.

Personally attacking your political opponant has been fair sport for all types of Americans for 220 years.

Suicidal or not - Some people just feel that way about their personal sense of honor and integrity.

The means and virulence of personal attacks were affected when it was possible or likely that the 'offender' who thought it was 'sport' found himself in a grim situation with a duel to the death or a public apology.. It doesn't take shootings of this type every day to get a message across.

It would certainly make a lot more debate civil and less prone to egregious misrepresentation today. An armed society is a polite society.

drgondog · 07-08-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syscom3

Disqualifying voters who are in good standing with their communities, smacks of communism, fascism and plain stupidity.

Agreed.

However - Disqualifying voters who a.) can neither speak nor read English (deaf mute and/or blind who can read - ok), b.) are felons, or c.) are not citizens, is neither fascism, communism nor stupidity.

pbfoot · 07-08-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgondog

Agreed.

However - Disqualifying voters who a.) can neither speak nor read English (deaf mute and/or blind who can read - ok), b.) are felons, or c.) are not citizens, is neither fascism, communism nor stupidity.

nope it's bigotry

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 07-08-2007, 09:19 AM

How is not letting people who are not citizens of the US or felons not vote bigotry?

Would you like it up there if a Egyptian citizen was voting for your government?

pbfoot · 07-08-2007, 09:30 AM

OK forget felons but because a person can't read or speak the language is bull
My maternal grandparents came from central Europe with an Austo Hungarian passport . They moved to an area where most folk came from the same regionof europe and they busted sod lived in sod house made a prosperous farm sent 6 kids to war and school but because they didn't speak english your not going to let them vote

syscom3 · 07-08-2007, 09:32 AM

Felons shouldnt vote because they are not citizens in good standing.

And saying that non citizens not being allowed to vote is discriminatory is a bizarre to say the least.

However, requiring people to vote in English is not discriminatory as its in the states interest to have everyone understanding the same ballot(s)

I am saying that allowing people to vote based on their ability to pay taxes or literacy (with the exception of people who are under court ordered care due to mental disability or duress) is the complete opposite of what democracy is.

Back in the 60's, the USSC looked at some of the literacy tests that blacks were forced to take in order to vote. One justice said it was like taking a constitutional law exam and he didnt think he could have passed it.

ToughOmbre · 07-08-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syscom3

However, requiring people to vote in English is not discriminatory as its in the states interest to have everyone understanding the same ballot(s)

Correct. If you want to become a voting citizen....

1) Come to this country legally

2) Learn to speak and read the language (that's English, BTW)

3) Obey the laws of the land.

4) Do your best to assimilate into the American culture.

Don't think that's a lot to ask.

pbfoot · 07-08-2007, 11:51 AM

I really have a hard time understanding why English is a necessity . When your forefathers came to The US did they speak and read english , I am assuming they worked hard and paid taxes became citizens. If they paid taxes and are citizens it doesn't matter if they speak Urdu I believe the US was born on the premise of no taxation without representation .

Njaco · 07-08-2007, 11:55 AM

Agreed, Tough, only I would clarify that by assimilate is not to mean give up your culture or religion (unless its dangerous to the country) but have respect for the customs of the country you reside. This stupid demand from some groups, such as "I must wear my turban", is ridiculus. If your country was so great, then stay there. If a dress code or other thing is required then it must be followed. The right to protest sometimes goes too far.

I got off topic. As for felons they gave up the right/privledge to be members of society and as such some of those rights should be restricted.

Pb, you are correct about our forefathers but as today, English is the main spoken language of the US. It is what is expected throughout commerce, society, etc. To trade a point. How far do you think I would get if I went to mExico and France or wherever and only spoke English and DEMANDED tolerance for same? Not far. Its a courtesy and respect for the country you are in or plan to call home.

renrich · 07-08-2007, 12:39 PM

When my ancestors came to the new world English was their language. The founders of this country all understood English. English is the language that is predominant in this country and is the national language. If you are in the US Military, your orders are going to be given in English. If you are going to be a citizen of this country and you don't become fluent in English you have no business being here. If I lived in Germany and was not fluent in German, how could I be informed enough about the issues to vote intelligently?