Do you think there should be voting restrictions?

[sangar]

The principles this country was founded on were pretty clear in that only white male landowners could vote.

For those who decry voting restrictions as "undemocratic", the framers of our constitution wished to specifically avoid democracy in order to avoid having the uninformed vote. Thus, our republic.

We vote for representatives who, allegedly, are more informed that we are to make the decisions.

I have seen valid arguments that representation should be extended to other countries to extend our authority as the true world power and I don't necessarily disagree with that notion.

[BaltimoreTerp]

The principles this country was founded on were pretty clear in that only white male landowners could vote.

For those who decry voting restrictions as "undemocratic", the framers of our constitution wished to specifically avoid democracy in order to avoid having the uninformed vote. Thus, our republic.

We vote for representatives who, allegedly, are more informed that we are to make the decisions.

I have seen valid arguments that representation should be extended to other countries to extend our authority as the true world power and I don't necessarily disagree with that notion.

International representation? So, for example, giving the UK 70 Congressmen and eight senators, and making them essentially new states?

[sangar]

International representation? So, for example, giving the UK 70 Congressmen and eight senators, and making them essentially new states?

Not necessarily giving them equal representation, but some form nevertheless. Our main advantage over the growing Chinese power is our influence. We can further grow our influence by allowing the countries who our decisions effect, to have a vote within congress. I'm not necessarily a proponent of this position, but I can see its merits. If Islam were given some sort of representation, would they still hate us? Our policies certainly affect them and if they were given even a marginal say-so in policy formulation they would then become stakeholders in that policy. Some people are saying, since we are the only current super-power, we have the unique opportunity to fully step into that position and only need to extend representation to do so.

[SammyBirdland]

Rep to anyone who can remember the Hangout poster who had started a thread about running for county council I believe in Harford County. He had a thread going to about all the silly ideas he had as well.

Running for House of Delegates, District 11!

[square634]

No, there shouldn't be.

[waroriole]

Running for House of Delegates, District 11!

I forgot about that......looking back, that whole thing had to be a joke.

[Tony-OH]

If they restricted the voting age to only land owners, it would be an absolute disgrace. That would pretty much cut out the entire college population, and I can only imagine the protests that would come from that. There should be a four question test to vote.

1. Are you an American citizen?
2. Are you 18?
3. Are you registered to vote?
4. Do you have a photo ID?

If you can answer yes to these four questions at a polling center, you should be allowed to vote.

Agreed. This should be the minimal requirements.

[lordbrook]

There are so many restrictions on some things, and so few on others I find it hard to solidify any opinion based on precedence. There are restrictions in place to buying a firearm, and yet none to procreate. I've said it before and I'll say it again, when I become God Emperor, I will make sure that the vas deferens of all male children are clamped at birth and you'll have to pass a strict test to get the clamps removed.

We walk a fine line between police state and anarchy. To me I think that there should be, at the very least, a photo id requirement to voting. I would be happy with having stricter requirements on lots of things, and as it was mentioned, the founding fathers made the assumption that the vast majority of the governed are too stupid or unqualified to have a say in how they are governed so maybe they would agree with tighter restrictions. I do think that by not having many restrictions on voting we at least nominally protect the rights of the most disenfranchised when the reality (at least in my mind) is that we do nothing of the sort. I think there are so many misinformed voters on both sides of the political spectrum that the candidates pander to those that are at best clueless, and at worst, puppets to a far more nefarious cause. All in all, we should just ditch the system of government we have in place and make me God Emperor immediately. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything.

[NewMarketSean]

Apparently the big conservative bugaboo is illegal voters, ie, illegal alien voters. My company is doing some work for some political non-profits on this issue.

[gallden]

Apparently the big conservative bugaboo is illegal voters, ie, illegal alien voters. My company is doing some work for some political non-profits on this issue.

I'm not implying you think this NMS but why should it not be a bugaboo for both parties?

[SammyBirdland]

I think you should only be allowed to vote if you agree with me.

[Pedro Cerrano]

There are so many restrictions on some things, and so few on others I find it hard to solidify any opinion based on precedence. There are restrictions in place to buying a firearm, and yet none to procreate. I've said it before and I'll say it again, when I become God Emperor, I will make sure that the vas deferens of all male children are clamped at birth and you'll have to pass a strict test to get the clamps removed.

We walk a fine line between police state and anarchy. To me I think that there should be, at the very least, a photo id requirement to voting. I would be happy with having stricter requirements on lots of things, and as it was mentioned, the founding fathers made the assumption that the vast majority of the governed are too stupid or unqualified to have a say in how they are governed so maybe they would agree with tighter restrictions. I do think that by not having many restrictions on voting we at least nominally protect the rights of the most disenfranchised when the reality (at least in my mind) is that we do nothing of the sort. I think there are so many misinformed voters on both sides of the political spectrum that the candidates pander to those that are at best clueless, and at worst, puppets to a far more nefarious cause. All in all, we should just ditch the system of government we have in place and make me God Emperor immediately. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything.

God Emperor,

What do you intend to do with the Yankee and Red Sox fans that invade Camden Yards every summer??

[crissfan172]

I'm not implying you think this NMS but why should it not be a bugaboo for both parties?

The same reason that campaign spending is only a concern for Democrats. If it helps your party win, you really couldn't care less whether it's right or ethical.

[lordbrook]

God Emperor,

What do you intend to do with the Yankee and Red Sox fans that invade Camden Yards every summer??

I would allow them to come for the game, and then provide them with a sack and a broom handle with a nail on the end of it. I would then remove all of their modes of transportation back north and instead require them to walk while picking up trash the whole way home. They need to be taught a stern lesson in humility.

[Frobby]

If people are going to be governed and have to obey the laws that are passed by the legislature and enforced by the executive branch, then they should be able to vote for the people who pass and enforce the laws. I don't have any trouble drawing the line at citizenship and adulthood, though.

I do think we'd have a better government if you had to pass a basic test of how our government works, as naturalized citizens do, before you could vote. However, there are problems associated with a society where a large group of people feel like they didn't have their say.